NCCHC Annual Awards Honor Trailblazers in Correctional Health Care

Outstanding individuals, facilities and programs in correctional health care were honored at the opening ceremony of NCCHC’s 43rd National Conference on Correctional Health Care in Fort Lauderdale. 

The Bernard P. Harrison Award of Merit, NCCHC’s highest honor, is given to an individual or group that has demonstrated excellence and service that has advanced the correctional health care field, either through an individual project or a history of service. This year the award was presented to David W. Roush, PhD, LPC, for his leadership and dedication to juvenile justice over his 45-year career. A nationally known expert and leader, Dr. Roush has earned high accolades for his innovative programs to treat juvenile offenders and to prepare them for successful reentry to their communities. His experience includes projects in more than 250 juvenile detention and corrections institutions in 45 states. Dr. Roush retired from the NCCHC Board of Directors in 2019, having served since 1991. He chaired the Board in 2000-2001 and served on the Executive and Finance Committees. More…

The B. Jaye Anno Award of Excellence pays tribute to innovative, well-executed communications that have had a positive impact on the field of correctional health care, or to individuals for bodies of work. This year the award was given to Marc Stern, MD, MPH, for his dedication to quality, evidence-based care, process improvement and optimal patient outcomes. Dr. Stern has coached and inspired others through his role as a mentor and university professor since 1992. Dr. Stern is well-known within the corrections field for his lectures and workshops. He also serves on conference planning committees for NCCHC and other groups. His byline appears on dozens of published works. He has long served as an editorial board member for the Journal of Correctional Health Care, the American Journal of Public Health and others. More…

The Young Professional Award recognizes new and upcoming leaders in the field of correctional health care. This year’s winner is Leonora Muhammad, DNP, APRN, CCHP. The award honors an outstanding correctional health professional, 45 years of age or under, who leads by example, takes initiative, demonstrates a strong work ethic and inspires others through his or her commitment to quality health care. Dr. Muhummad was chosen for her contributions to NCCHC as a member of the CCHP Board of Trustees in addition to her commitment to education and professionalism. In her current position, she is a leader in quality improvement and patient safety. More…

The Farmington Correctional Center has been named the R. Scott Chavez Facility of the Year. The award is presented to one facility selected from among nearly 500 jails, prisons and juvenile facilities accredited by NCCHC for its outstanding quality, innovation and dedication in correctional health care. The health care facility at the Correctional Center, one of the largest prisons in Missouri, features a medical clinic, six-bed infirmary, mental health offices and dental operatory. The facility runs many programs for substance abuse and sex offender treatment, as well as several units housing mentally ill patients from the state system. The Correctional Center has received this award for the dedication, professionalism and training that serve as the foundation of the exemplary patient care provided at the facility. More…

The Program of the Year Award recognizes programs of excellence among the thousands provided by accredited jails, prisons and juvenile facilities. This year, the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center, Chicago,was chosen for its Ambassador program. The Ambassador program handpicks detainees to act as role models for others and tour guides for visitors to the facility. Through this program, the youth gain self-esteem and invaluable experience. More…

Liz Piatek, CCHP, was named the NCCHC Surveyor of the Year.An employee of NCCHC for 23 years, she has been the behind-the-scenes powerhousefor the NCCHC accreditation program, scheduling and coordinating thousands of survey teams over the years.Ms. Piatek has developed close relationships with the surveyors and has earned their deep respect for her careful management of their survey activities. More…

Chatham County Detention Center in Georgia received a special recognition award for becoming the first facility to be NCCHC accredited for mental health services and the first to achieve dual accreditation in mental health and health services. Sheriff John Wilcher led the effort, spurred on by the recognition that correctional facilities have become the nation’s largest provider of mental health care. 

The awards were presented at the National Conference on Correctional Health Care in Fort Lauderdale on October 14.