Council Chairman Calvin Ball with Horizon President and CEO Nikki Highsmith Vernick
Yesterday, the Maryland Public Health Association presented Howard County Council Chairman Calvin Ball with the Michaeline R. Fedder Public Health Legislator of the Year Award. The award is given annually to a local, state or national legislator who over the past year has shown consistent commitment to improving the public’s health in Maryland.
“We are thrilled to honor Dr. Ball with this year’s MdPHA Fedder Legislator of the Year Award,” said MdPHA Board Member Rebecca Rehr. “He has dedicated his time in public service to protecting public health and we are lucky to have leaders like him in Maryland.”
Dr. Ball was recognized for his work in sponsoring, passing and securing a veto-override for CB-17, an act that makes healthier food and drink options more widely available on county property and in programs serving county youth. Initiatives like this reduce long term risks of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. The award was presented before dozens of public health advocates at a reception in Annapolis hosted by the Maryland Public Health Association, Maryland Health Care for All and Maryland Environmental Health Network.
“This past summer, we joined 35 organizations and more than 1,000 individuals to demonstrate our support for CB-17 to provide healthy vending options in our public spaces,” said Nikki Highsmith Vernick, president and CEO of the Horizon Foundation. “We join our partners in congratulating Dr. Ball on this well-deserved award, as he is a true champion for public health and has helped Howard County be a leader on important issues that improve our health and our community.”
