Sue Albee Grant, B.S.N. ’95, received the 2015 Public Health Worker of the Year award from the Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA). She is currently the supervisor of community health services at the McLean County Health Department.
This award is given to one individual who has made an outstanding contribution of major significance to public health in Illinois during the preceding calendar year, is a member of the association, and is actively involved in public health in Illinois. Awards were presented during the IPHA’s Friends of Public Health Dinner as part of the 74th annual meeting in June.
Grant’s strong grasp of oral health concerns and local statistics, and her command of public health initiatives to improve oral health have been universally recognized within the McLean County community. Just one of her standout achievements is with her work with the America’s Promise School Project at Illinois State University’s Mennonite College of Nursing (MCN). She helped design a plan to place student nurses in K-12 schools as part of their pediatric clinic rotation, which helped the students gain crucial job experience. In addition, the students were also instrumental in promoting oral health programs within local public schools to improve pediatric oral health and cavity reduction among children.
Grant graduated from MCN in 1995 with her bachelor’s degree in nursing and is enrolled in the online Nursing Systems Administration program at Illinois State University. She serves on several community boards and work groups, including the Mennonite Nurses Alumni Organization (MNAO), America’s Promise School Project Team, John C. Scott Commission, United Way Health Solutions Team, and I-PLAN Oral Health Task Force. In 2012, she received the MNAO Distinguished Alumni Award, which is the highest honor the college bestows upon its graduates.
“I am thrilled Sue received this award,” said H. Catherine Miller, interim dean of MCN. “Her contributions to the Health Department, MCN and the community are outstanding. She is dedicated to the nursing profession and is a tremendous asset to our students and the community with her commitment in public health.”
The IPHA is the oldest and largest public health association in the State of Illinois. As one of the largest affiliates of the American Public Health Association, IPHA is widely recognized as a leader in the field of public health advocacy, health education and promotion.
