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Muskegon Public Health recognized for community collaboration

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Muskegon Public Health Earns Prestigious National Award for Community Collaboration

June 12, 2025 – Muskegon, MI – In a ceremony held at the Muskegon Convention Center last week, Muskegon Public Health (MPH) was honored with the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Community Partnership Award, a rare distinction that recognizes public‑health entities that go above and beyond in forging cross‑sector collaborations to improve population health. The award, presented by NACCHO President Dr. Linda Nguyen, spotlighted MPH’s multi‑year partnership model that has successfully tackled COVID‑19, mental‑health gaps, and chronic‑disease risk in Muskegon County.

A Collaborative Response to COVID‑19

The award’s citation highlighted the public health department’s swift response to the pandemic, noting that MPH worked hand‑in‑hand with the Muskegon County Health Department, Western Michigan University’s School of Public Health, and local faith‑based organizations to establish over 120 pop‑up vaccination sites across the county. In the first two months of the campaign, these sites vaccinated more than 65,000 residents—an impressive 22% increase over the county’s baseline vaccination rate.

According to MPH Director of Operations, Melissa Grant, the partnership was essential in reaching hard‑to‑access populations. “We didn’t just set up a clinic; we brought the clinic to the community,” she said. “By working with church leaders, school administrators, and grocery‑store managers, we ensured that people could get vaccinated in familiar settings.”

Bridging Health Disparities in Native American Communities

A central focus of the award was MPH’s collaboration with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. Together, they launched the “Health Equity Initiative” in 2023, a culturally tailored program that offers free health screenings, oral‑health education, and chronic‑disease management workshops on the reservation. The initiative, funded jointly by the county and a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, saw a 35% increase in participation from tribal members in preventive‑health services.

“We’re proud to have built a program that respects and integrates Indigenous knowledge and traditions,” said Grand Traverse Band Health Officer, Dr. Lillian Phelps. “MPH’s partnership has not only improved health outcomes but also strengthened community trust.”

Mental Health Matters: The “Mindful Muskegon” Coalition

MPH also received acclaim for its partnership with the Muskegon Mental Health Center, the Muskegon County School System, and the local Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Together, they created the “Mindful Muskegon” coalition, a statewide initiative that offers mental‑health hotlines, trauma‑informed school curricula, and community‑based counseling services.

The coalition’s pilot program, launched in the 2023‑2024 school year, saw a 40% drop in student‑reported anxiety symptoms and a 25% increase in help‑seeking behaviors. “It’s a testament to what we can achieve when schools, health agencies, and community groups align around a shared goal,” said Superintendent of Muskegon Public Schools, Dr. Carlos Vega.

Economic Partnerships: Health‑Centric Workforce Development

Beyond health‑specific programs, MPH’s collaboration with local businesses—particularly the manufacturing sector—led to the creation of the “Healthy Workforce Initiative.” Under this partnership, companies like Briggs & Stratton and GE Vernova provide on‑site health fairs, subsidized gym memberships, and health‑education workshops for employees. The initiative also supports a workforce‑ready curriculum at Muskegon Community College, emphasizing preventive‑care skills and health‑informatics training.

“We’re not just looking at the current health of our community; we’re building capacity for the next generation of health professionals,” noted MPH’s Deputy Director for Community Outreach, Jonathan Reyes.

Recognition and Future Directions

The NACCHO Community Partnership Award is given annually to less than 1% of county and city public‑health agencies nationwide. In its official statement, NACCHO praised MPH’s “innovative, scalable, and inclusive partnership model.” Dr. Nguyen emphasized the importance of community collaboration, stating that “public health challenges are never isolated, and only through partnership can we sustainably improve health outcomes.”

The award comes at a time when Muskegon Public Health is preparing to launch its next major initiative: the “Digital Health Equity Project.” The project will partner with the local university’s tech incubator, the Muskegon Public Library, and the Muskegon County Health Department to provide free broadband access and digital health literacy training to underserved populations. The goal is to bridge the digital divide that hampers access to tele‑medicine, mental‑health counseling, and health‑information resources.

Community Voices

At the ceremony, residents and partner representatives voiced their appreciation for MPH’s collaborative spirit. A local pastor described the partnership as “a shining example of faith and science working together for the common good.” A high‑school student, who participated in the Mindful Muskegon program, shared how the initiative helped him manage stress during exams and encouraged him to pursue a career in public health.

“We’re humbled by this recognition,” said MPH Director, Melissa Grant. “But the real reward is seeing our community’s health improve and knowing that we did it together.”

How to Learn More

• NACCHO Community Partnership Award: https://www.naccho.org/community-partnership-award
• Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians: https://www.grandtraverseband.org
• Muskegon Mental Health Center: https://www.muskegonmentalhealth.org
• Muskegon Public Schools Mental‑Health Initiative: https://www.muskegonps.org/mental-health
• Healthy Workforce Initiative Resources: https://www.muskegonhealth.org/healthy-workforce

Muskegon Public Health’s award underscores a broader lesson for public‑health agencies nationwide: when health departments listen, collaborate, and act in concert with local organizations, communities flourish. As the county looks ahead, the public‑health department’s commitment to partnership will likely continue to set a benchmark for community‑based health innovation.