Caucus Awards

2023

Admiral Rachel L. Levine
Assistant Secretary of Health

2022

Pat Mail
Past-President of APHA, FOunder of the LGBTQ Health Caucus

History:
Patricia D. Mail, Ph.D., MPH (2006) is a past president of the American Public Health Association and was the first out individual to serve as the President of APHA. In this role, she centered APHA's focus on health equity and served as a visible symbol of APHA’s commitment to inclusion. Her election catalyzed future APHA leaders, including past president Lisa Carlson, assuming APHA leadership roles. Pat was an active member of the LGBTQ Health Caucus – and indeed, it was at a Caucus function that she would meet her future wife, Peggy Kopf, at a Caucus function. They would marry at an APHA Annual Meeting in California. Pat spent the majority of her career -1970-1997- as a commissioned Health Services Officer in the United States Public Health Service and, in retirement, has served as an active member of the Commissioned Officers Association of the US Public Health Service.  Peggy Kopf began her career at the Indian Health Service at Cushman Indian Hospital. She spent most of her career in County Public Health – first as a public health nurse and eventually as a Health Planner. She was a resident of the Washington State Public Health Association and was involved in the American Public Health Association. In retirement, she served on the board of the Tahoma Audubon Society.

Patricia and Peggy were inseparable. They were dedicated community servants who advanced the work of public health.  At APHA and beyond, where there was one, there was the other. They served as mentors to countless individuals in public health and APHA. In announcing and naming the award, Pat shared that it was only appropriate for her to share the name with Peg, as she was the foundation that made everything possible.