Katherine Wells Received Public Health Award
The Immunization Partnership honored Wells for her work addressing a measles outbreak in 2025.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Philanthropy
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In September 2026, The Immunization Partnership presented Katherine Wells with the Ralph D. Feigin, MD Award for Excellence. The award honors advocates who champion education regarding vaccine-preventable diseases.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the importance of proactive public health responses, such as the drive-up vaccination clinic Wells coordinated during the 2025 measles outbreak. Her efforts were documented in an official CDC report on the health response in West Texas.
The award was presented during the organization's 16th Annual Luncheon, which hosted 300 participants. During her 2025 response, Wells managed a drive-up clinic that treated an average of 20 to 30 individuals per day.
The players
Katherine Wells
She serves as the director of the Lubbock Public Health District and is an expert in public health crisis management.
The Immunization Partnership
This organization promotes public health through education and advocacy focused on the prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases.
The details
Wells, the director of the Lubbock Public Health District, worked to increase vaccination rates through partnerships and the distribution of social media graphics. Her response strategies are now part of the professional literature on public health emergency management.
Timeline
The 2025 measles outbreak occurred throughout West Texas.
Katherine Wells received the award in September 2026.
Four people in Pennsylvania died from a vaccine-preventable disease over the past two weeks.
Market Landscape
The award honors work responding to the 2025 measles outbreak, which highlights how specific health crises drive advancements in regional vaccination policy. This shift emphasizes the growing need for public health officials to bridge the gap between clinical services and community engagement.
The recognition of these efforts serves as a reminder for residents to stay updated on vaccination schedules. Public health initiatives like drive-up clinics continue to influence how medical services are delivered to the local community during disease outbreaks.
The takeaway
Public health professionals often rely on innovative, accessible distribution models to manage sudden disease surges. Establishing consistent communication and mobile services remains critical to preventing the spread of vaccine-preventable illnesses.
Further reading
Learn more about local community impact and recognition at Philanthropy.
More information
For more information, visit The Immunization Partnership website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
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