BCHW- 58th Annual Hildrus A. Poindexter Awards Dinner -2026

Join the American Public Health Association’s Black Caucus of Health Workers for the 2026 Hildrus A. Poindexter Awards Dinner, an evening dedicated to celebrating excellence, leadership, service, and achievement in public health.

The annual Hildrus A. Poindexter Awards Dinner honors the extraordinary legacy of Dr. Hildrus Augustus Poindexter, MD, PhD, a pioneering physician, educator, bacteriologist, researcher, and public health leader whose career helped transform the study and control of infectious and tropical diseases.

Born in 1901, Dr. Poindexter rose from humble beginnings to become a distinguished scholar and physician. He attended Lincoln University and Dartmouth Medical School before earning his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in 1929. He later completed advanced graduate studies at Columbia University in microbiology, immunology, public health, and tropical medicine. His career included leadership and teaching at Howard University, service with the U.S. Public Health Service, and extensive international public health work. During World War II, Dr. Poindexter served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, where his work in malaria prevention and control earned him the Bronze Star.

His professional life reflected a profound commitment to scholarship, public service, health equity, research, and improving the health of communities throughout the United States and internationally. The Black Caucus of Health Workers established its annual awards to recognize individuals and organizations whose contributions advance public health and strengthen the health and well-being of communities, particularly populations historically underserved by health systems.

This year, the Black Caucus of Health Workers proudly recognizes three distinguished 2026 awardees:

• Jasmine Ward, PhD, MPH, CHES - Hildrus Poindexter Award
• Krista Mincey, DrPh, MPH - BCHW Image Award
• Representative Barbara Gervin-Hawkins - Rep Louis Stokes Legislative Service Award

Guests will gather for an evening of recognition, fellowship, dinner, and celebration as BCHW honors these outstanding leaders and continues the legacy of Dr. Hildrus A. Poindexter.