From left to right: NCDHHS Assistant Secretary for Public Health Mark Benton, State Epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore, and State Health Director and Chief Medical Officer Elizabeth Cuervo Tilson
Dr. Zack Moore and all of North Carolina's 85 local health directors were recognized by their peers for their extraordinary accomplishments with the Ron H. Levine Public Health Award at the annual North Carolina Public Health Leader’s Conference on May 19 in Raleigh.
The Ron Levine Legacy Award is a prestigious award named for former North Carolina State Health Director Dr. Ron Levine. Only 28 other individuals have been similarly honored for their distinguished efforts to improve the public health system, expand the scope or capacity of public health services, or build new and lasting partnerships.
Dr. Moore serves as the State Epidemiologist and NCDHHS' Chief of the Epidemiology Section. In his current role, he helps guide the state’s efforts to prevent, detect and respond to a wide range of public health threats, including those caused by communicable diseases, environmental and occupational health threats, and natural and man-made disasters. He has worked tirelessly on COVID-19 response efforts.
Dr. Moore’s contributions have garnered several awards, including the U.S. Public Health Service Award for Exemplary Performance of Duty; US Secretary of HHS Award for Distinguished Service; NC Public Health Association’s Recognition with Distinction for their contributions to Ebola Prevention & Response; and the Division of Public Health's Outstanding Employee Service Award.
Dr. Moore received a medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed training in pediatrics and pediatric infectious diseases. He holds a master’s degree in public health from Harvard University and first joined the North Carolina’s public health team in 2006 as an officer with the Center of Disease Control and Prevention's Epidemic Intelligence Service.
All of North Carolina's 85 local health directors were recognized for their hard work and dedication throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the first time a group has been the recipient of this award and, in doing so, recognizes their collective leadership in their respective communities and exemplifies their outstanding commitment, dedication and sacrifice to public health leadership.
In speaking of the award winners’ contributions to public health, Assistant Secretary for Public Health, Mark Benton said, “We are fortunate in North Carolina that so many individuals have made lasting, positive changes to our public health system. They are our ‘north stars’ and the shoulders for whom we all stand upon.”
