Immunization Leadership & Champion Awards
Ronald P. Bangasser, MD, Immunization Leadership Award
This Ron Bangasser Immunization Leadership award is presented to a practicing clinician who exemplifies leadership, professionalism and commitment to immunizations. The Immunization Leadership award was established in 2008 to honor the dedication and service of Ron Bangasser, M.D. (1950-2007), who was a leader within the California Adult Immunization Coalition. Often a national spokesperson on influenza issues and a vigorous advocate for immunizations, Dr. Bangasser served as Chair of the California Adult Immunization Coalition from 2003 to 2007, and served for four years as a speaker for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/American Medical Association National Flu Vaccine Summit. Dr. Bangasser’s extensive clinical experience as a family practitioner brought an important dimension to his educational, quality improvement, and advocacy work in the immunization arena.
Past Recipients:
- 2025 — Alex McDonald, MD, FAAFP
- 2023 — Susan Ducore, DNP, MSN, RN
- 2019 — Mark Sawyer, MD
- 2017 — Jefferey A. Goad, Pharm.D., MPH
- 2014 — Samuel So, MD
Earlier Recipients
- 2013 — James D. Cherry, MD, MSc
- 2011 — Stephen E. Osburn, MD, (awarded posthumously)
- 2010 — Ray George, MD
- 2009 — Pat Samuelson, MD
- 2008 — S. Michael Marcy, MD
- 2008 — Roger Baxter, MD
Natalie J. Smith, MD Immunization Champion Award
This Natalie Smith Immunization Champion award is presented to an individual, group, or organization that has made an outstanding contribution to immunizations at the state or local level. The Immunization Champion Award was established in 2003 in memory of Natalie Joy Smith, M.D, M.P.H. (1962-2003). Dr. Smith was Deputy Director of the National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; former Chief of the Immunization Branch, California Department of Health Services (1994-2002); and a founder of the California Coalition for Childhood Immunization, a precursor organization to the California Immunization Coalition. This annual award, first presented in 2004, memorializes Dr. Smith’s exceptional leadership and her dedication to eliminating vaccine preventable diseases.
Nominees demonstrate excellence in a variety of contexts, including but not limited to:
• Development of partnerships and coalitions
• Policy and legislative advocacy
• Innovative programs to reach disadvantaged populations
• Philanthropic support of state or local activities
• Leadership in public health
• Advances in service delivery in the context of preventive health and primary care
Past recipients:
- 2025 — Keri Hurley-Kim, Pharm.D., MPH
- 2024 — Joan Edelstein, DrPh, MSN, RN
- 2023 — Heidi DeGuzman, BSN
- 2019 — Lisa Brill, MPH
- 2018 — Dorit Rubinstein Reiss, Ph.D.
- 2017 — Catharine Ratto, RN, MPH
- 2016 — Gale Ivie, RN, Health Educator
- 2015 — Robert Benjamin, MD, MPH
- 2014 — Lisa Posard and “Invisible Threat”
- 2013 — Assemblymember Dr. Richard Pan
- 2012 — Linda Davis-Alldritt, MA, BSN, RN, FNASN, FASHA
- 2012 — Sandra Jo Hammer, RN, MSN, MPH
- 2011 — Mariah Bianchi, BSN, MSN, California Pacific Medical Center
- 2010 — Linda Scott, Orange County Immunization Coalition
- 2009 — Steve Baranova, Vice President, South LA Health Projects
- 2008 — Patricia Porter, RN, MPH, UCSF
- 2007 — Marcy Connell Jones, Chief, Information & Education Section, Immunization Branch
- 2007 — Dean Blumberg, MD, FAAP
- 2006 — Glennah Trochet, MD, Public Health Officer Sacramento County
- 2006 — Marlene Lugg, Dr., Ph.D, Immunization Coordinator, Project Manager Kaiser Permanente
- 2005 — John Dunajski, Retiring Assistant Chief, Immunization Branch
- 2004 — Sandra Ross, PHN
- 2004 — Senator Dede AlpertJ
Special Recognition Awards
Recognizing individuals and organizations for outstanding contributions to immunization efforts. These honors are awarded periodically.
| Year | Award & Recipient |
|---|---|
|
2025 |
Public Health Leadership & Partnership Award — Tammy Pilisuk, MPH |
|
2024 |
Public Health Leadership & Partnership Award – Philip Bensing
& Debra Oto-Kent, MPH |
|
2023 |
Legislative Leadership Award – Richard Pan, MD, MPH |
|
2023 |
Public Health Hero Award – Linda Scott |
|
2016 |
Legislative Champion Award – Alecia Sanchez |
|
2014 |
Advocacy Award – Amanda Roth |
|
2011 |
Legislative Champion Award – Steve Barrow & Lydia Bourne, RN |
