From left, Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran, Northeast Texas Public Health District CEO George Roberts and Tyler Mayor Don Warren stand for a photo together with Moran and Warren’s 2021 W. T. “Doc” Ballard Award for Excellence in Public Health. Moran, Warren and former Tyler Mayor Martin Heines were recognized for their collaboration and hard work when the first COVID-19 cases were reported in Smith County on March 13, 2020.

The entry deadline for the 32nd annual NET Health “Doc” Ballard Award for Excellence in Public Health was recently extended through Wednesday, June 1.

Nominations are for individuals or organizations that have gone above and beyond in their work of providing health services in the community.

Nominees can be anyone who either lives or whose primary work is in northeast Texas.

Nominees do not need to be a public health professional, their services can be cultural, health, welfare, religious, civic or philanthropic endeavors.

The award was established by NET Health as a lasting recognition of W.T Ballard’s contribution to public health. Ballard’s career started in 1946 as a registered professional engineer for the Texas Department of Health. Ballard became a key figure in the formation of the Health District and later served as chairman of the board.

Items required for nominees are a nomination letter with a 250-word description of why the nominee deserves the award, a one-page biography, no more than five supporting documents and a 4 by 5 inch photograph of the nominee.

A nomination should be mailed to NET Health, Attn: W.T. “Doc” Ballard Award, 315 N. Broadway, Suite 404, Tyler, TX 75702.

For more information, contact Chief Executive Officer of NET Health, George Roberts, at 903-535 -0036.

2000 – Luther Yates

2001 – Brenda Elrod

2002 – Richard J. “Dick” De Santo

2003 – Susan Bennett, R.D.

2004 – David Knowles, M.D.

2005 – Keith McCoy, Ph.D.

2006 – John English, M.D.

2007 – Bennie Webster, Ed.D.

2007 – Marvin Ellis

2008 – Robert Westbrook

2009 – Jonathan MacClements, M.D.

2010 – Ben Bridges, M.D.

2010 – Reverend Ralph Caraway, Sr.

2011 – Dave Berry

2012 – Harold Higgins

2013 – Kirk A. Calhoun, M.D.

2014 – Barbara Bass

2015 – Paul McGaha, D.O.

2016 – Thomas A. Lowery, M.D.

2017 – David L. Lakey, M.D.

2018 – Jeffrey Levin, M.D.

2019 – Valerie Smith, M.D.

2020 – Jeffrey Levin, M.D.

2020 – Bruce Carter, M.D.

2021 – Nathaniel Moran

2021 – Don Warren

2021 – UT Tyler School of Pharmacy