NCHEC: National Commission for Health Education Credentialing
Email

The Outstanding Service and Leadership Award

 

The 2025 Outstanding Service and Leadership Award is now open for nomination submissions.  The award was first instituted in 2016 in order to highlight career achievements in the implementation of programs and policies that promote the role of Certified Health Education Specialists within communities, populations, and/or organizational structure. 

Individuals nominated for this award will currently hold an active CHES® or MCHES® credential, or a retired credential (RCHES or RMCHES) and will have completed one or more of the following: 

  • initiated programs that produce a community-wide or state/national impact
  • promoted the CHES® or MCHES® credential within an organization
  • advanced the profession of health education/promotion on a local/community, state or government level

There are two individual nomination categories:

  • Emerging Professionals Category: (new professional in the field of health education and promotion <5 years)
  • Established Professionals Category: (established professional with >5 years in the field of health education and promotion)

APPLY FOR THE INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY HERE

 

 
All entries should be submitted by February 28, 2026.

 

Participation Eligibility

  • CHES® credential-holders (active status and in good standing through March of 2026)
  • MCHES® credential-holders (active status and in good standing through March of 2026)
  • RCHES or RMCHES credential-holders (active status and in good standing through March of 2026)
  • Organizations employing CHES® and/or MCHES®-certified individuals to promote and advance the profession.
  • The following individuals are not permitted to participate: current members of the Board of Commissioners, Division Board for Professional Preparation and Practice, Division Board for Certified Health Education Specialists, Division Board for Professional Development, and the NCHEC Marketing Committee.

 

Leadership Award Guidelines

Each nomination submission must include:

  1. Completed Online Application Form – one application form per nomination; self-nominations are NOT accepted. The nominator does NOT need to be certified.  
  2. Documentation of achievements listed in support of each category of the Nomination/Application Form. Any category left blank on the nomination will result in a score of 'zero' for that category. 
  3. One letter of recommendation by an industry professional and/or organization affirming the nominee’s leadership in/or service to the health education profession. 
  4. The nominee's cv or resume is required.
  5. All applications must be submitted by February 28, 2026.

Disclaimer: All awards are conferred at the sole discretion of NCHEC. Award recipients waive all possible legal claims against NCHEC arising from the selection of award recipients and the use or receipt of the award. All applications, including all supporting materials, shall become the property of NCHEC and are non-returnable.