ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) is proud to announce that the Region 7 NC Minority Diabetes Prevention Program will be awarded the Clarence E. Pearson Program Excellence Award during the 2026 SOPHE Annual Conference in Portland, April 22-24.
“I feel proud, but also genuinely humbled,” said Fransine Sanchez, who is the Chronic Disease Prevention Director, Granville Vance Public Health. “Receiving an award like this makes me reflect on the impact of public health work and the people we continue to serve in our community.”
The Clarence E. Pearson Program Excellence Award recognizes outstanding contributions by a program (not an agency) to the practice of health education.
Award recipients must demonstrate systematic application of the following components:
- Health education principles including provision of a planned, reinforcing series of educational experiences.
- Involvement of the target population in planning and implementation.
- A well-defined evaluation component.
“I am honored to be considered because I’m passionate about building sustainable initiatives—ones that can grow beyond any single project,” Sanchez said. “I also enjoy mentoring others and sharing best practices. Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of health equity, and I’m motivated by the opportunity to be part of the solution by addressing inequities in the communities I serve and care about.”
Currently, Sanchez leads the Community Health Assessment and partners with various organizations to implement the Community Health Improvement Plan. Additionally, as the Regional Coordinator for the NC Minority Diabetes Prevention Program, she fosters a regional network focused on enhancing health outcomes for underserved communities through the CDC’s Diabetes Prevention Program.
SOPHE will present all awards and scholarships to public health professionals, health education researchers, faculty, programs, and practitioners at the 2026 SOPHE Annual Conference in April in Portland. These awards and scholarships recognize significant advancements in the profession of health education and health promotion and outstanding contributions of well-established and rising stars to improving the public’s health.
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About SOPHE
The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) is a nonprofit association that supports leaders in public health, health education and promotion to advance healthy and equitable communities across the globe. SOPHE members work in health care settings, communities, organizations, schools, universities, worksites, and in local, state and federal government agencies. For more information visit www.sophe.org.
