Established in 2018, in honor of Susie Nanney, PhD, MPH, RD, this award recognizes a RWJF Health Policy Fellow alumnus for his/her commitment to advancing and promoting a culture of health for all. Dr. Nanney, a nutritionist and scholar at the University of Minnesota, was a beloved member of the RWJF Health Policy Fellowship Class of 2016-17. She lost her life in 2018 in a tragic vehicular crash. Susie was the first recipient of the Culture of Health Champion award, in recognition of her life’s work, transformed and invigorated by her fellowship experience.
Process
- The award will be overseen (and the recipient selected by) a selection committee comprised of Susie’s fellow-fellows, the RWJF HPF Class of 2016-17.
- Note: If a selection committee member nominates an alumnus or if one of the committee members is nominated for the award, that member will recuse him or herself from the selection committee
- One award will be presented annually at the RWJF HPF fall retreat. If no nominations are received or if no awardee is identified, then no award will be presented that year.
- The selection committee will notify the awardee by mid-September so that the alumnus has sufficient time to plan to attend the RWJF HPF Alumni retreat in October.
Values and Criteria for Selection
An alumnus who:
- Has made significant contributions to promoting a culture of health for all. Contributions may include (but are not limited to) promoting health equity in action areas such as:
- Making health a shared value within communities
- Fostering cross-sector collaborations to improve well being
- Creating healthier, more equitable communities
- Strengthening integration of health services and systems
- Leads health policy initiatives at a local, (e.g. institutional or community), state, national, and/or international level
- Actively mentors, encourages and supports the advancement of others
Supporting documents for all nominees will include:
- Curriculum Vitae of the nominee
- Letter of nomination from an alumnus to include the following:
- How the nominee meets the criteria established for the award
- The nominee’s post-fellowship impact on the culture of health
- Nominee statement encouraged (but not required)
- Letter of support from the community being impacted by their work also encouraged (but not required)
View the full award details, selection criteria, and past awardees: https://healthpolicyfellows.org/alumni/awards
Submission deadline: August 15, 2025