WASHINGTON — The American Medical Association (AMA) presented Cumberland County (N.C.) Public Health Director Jennifer Green, PhD, MPH., with the AMA Award for Outstanding Government Service. Having served in her current role since 2019, Green has overseen the delivery and promotion of public health services, strategies, and initiatives in Cumberland County. She played a key role during the COVID-19 pandemic, mobilizing the community, distributing resources, and setting up drive-thru vaccine clinics that prompted Gov. Roy Cooper to praise the County’s response as a shining example of high-quality local government.
“Across the country, local public health officials played a critical role in combatting COVID-19, educating local communities, and saving lives. Jennifer Green epitomizes that commitment and leadership,” said AMA Board Chair Michael Suk, M.D., JD, MPH, MBA. “For her dedication to improving the lives of people – both during and well beyond the COVID-19 pandemic – and for her creative approach to helping address public health challenges in Cumberland County, it is an honor to present Jennifer Green with the AMA Award for Outstanding Career Public Servant at the Local Level.”
“Dr. Green has provided exemplary care to our citizens with innovative programs and ideas,” said Cumberland County Commissioner Glenn Adams, who nominated her for the award. “She has had a tremendous impact on the lives of our citizens and the health of our county.”
In addition to her vital work during the COVID-19 pandemic, Green opened a WIC clinic to expand the scope of services and promote healthy babies and mothers. She created Healthy Conversations, which promotes public health education by training barbers and stylists to be advocates who can influence positive health behaviors in under-resourced communities. She created the Maternal Health project to address the disparities of mothers of color in seeking pre- and post-natal health care. And she is leading efforts to combat the opioid epidemic in her community by working to establish a recovery resource center.
Jennifer Green earned her Bachelor’s Degree and MPH from Baylor University, and she earned her PhD in Health Promotion Sciences from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
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About the American Medical Association
The American Medical Association is the physicians’ powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care. The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises and, driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care.
