APHL Honors Laboratory Response Network for Biological Threats Preparedness Award Winners 

– At the 2024 Laboratory Response Network for Biological Threats Preparedness (LRN-B) Technical Meeting, the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) presented awards to laboratories and public health leaders who have made significant achievements in the field of biological threat agent testing. The winners were announced during a ceremony on Friday, November 15. Congratulations to all award winners! 

The following awards were presented: 

The Excellence in Public Health Response Award is given to an LRN laboratory which made a significant contribution to the LRN-B and its mission by responding to public health threats, unique cases/incidents or exemplifying a surge capacity response. This year’s award recipient is:  

• Wyoming Public Health Laboratory 

The Outstanding Sentinel Training Program Award is given to an LRN laboratory that has been involved in sustained outreach and training initiatives and pursues ongoing improvements to the sentinel training program. This year’s award recipient is:  

• San Diego County Public Health Laboratory 

The Innovative Collaborations with First Responder Communities Award is given to an individual or LRN laboratory that collaborates closely with first responder communities and contributes to ongoing improvements in preparedness and response activities. This year’s award recipient is:  

• Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Laboratory Services  

The Excellence in Partnership Award is given to an organization which has made significant contributions to building and maintaining effective preparedness partnerships with multiple agencies or organizations. Awardees may have implemented and sustained partnerships with first responder and sentinel laboratory communities, academic institutions, state and local public health laboratories, military laboratories and other organizations. This year’s award recipient is:   

• New Mexico Department of Health, Scientific Laboratory Division 

The Excellence in Methodology and Technology Evaluation Award is given to an LRN laboratory which has demonstrated outstanding effort in advancing the capabilities and capacities of the LRN-B to prepare, detect and respond. Awardees may have participated in multicenter evaluation studies for methods and/or technology, developed an innovative approach to detection capabilities, or provided significant feedback to improve capabilities and capacities as it relates to the LRN-B mission. This year’s award recipient is:   

• Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services 

The Excellence in Leadership Award is given to an individual with at least five years of LRN-B leadership who has been instrumental to the LRN-B mission. Awardees have made significant contributions to the advancement of LRN-B public health science or practice, exhibited leadership and have positively influenced the network and its members. This year’s award recipient is:   

• Michael Perry, DrPH, associate director, biodefense laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health 

The Excellence in Public Service Award is given to an individual who displayed outstanding and innovative service during their employment. Awardees demonstrate a commitment to continuous quality improvement and high levels of service while furthering the LRN-B mission. This year’s award recipient is:   

• Leah Kloss, biosafety and outreach officer, Bureau of Public Health Laboratories, Florida Department of Health 

The Award for Implementing Continuous Quality Improvement Systems is given to an individual or institution who, through leadership, support and implementation of quality initiatives, have been instrumental in strengthening the LRN-B. This year’s award recipient is:   

• Patricia Blevins, team lead, LRN-B operations, Laboratory Readiness and Informatics Branch, Division of Laboratory Systems, Office of Laboratory Systems and Response, CDC 

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an exceptional individual whose enduring commitment, remarkable achievements and outstanding contributions have profoundly impacted the LRN-B and the communities it serves. This award celebrates a lifetime of dedication to advancing the mission of the LRN-B, driving innovation and fostering meaningful change. Honorees exemplify unwavering passion, integrity and leadership by consistently going above and beyond to inspire others and contribute to the growth and success of the organization. Through their legacy, they have set a gold standard for excellence and continue to leave an indelible mark on LRN-B’s future. 

• Remedios Gose, laboratory preparedness and response branch chief, State Laboratories Division, Hawaii State Department of Health 

APHL congratulates all award winners, and thanks them for their contributions to advancing the essential work of the LRN-B.  

The Laboratory Response Network (LRN) was established in 1999 through a collaborative effort involving founding partners CDC, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and APHL to ensure an effective laboratory response to bioterrorism. Today, the LRN is an integrated network of local, state and federal laboratories providing diagnostics and capacity for biological and chemical threats, and other public health emergencies. The LRN is a unique asset in the nation’s growing preparedness for public health threats.