BOSTON - Children’s HealthWatch, headquartered at Boston Medical Center, announced the recipients of its two annual awards, the Children’s HealthWatch Champion Award and the Marilyn Meyerhoff Equity Award.
The Economic Security Program, recipient of the 2024 Champion Award, has been a leader at both the state and national levels in advancing family tax credits and championing guaranteed income. This award is presented to a person or organization for evidence-based policies that help children thrive. The team advocates for and supports bold ideas and policies that build economic power by running campaigns, providing grants, developing creative interventions, and working toward narrative change.
“In a time when economic challenges can feel overwhelming, the Economic Security Project understands that financial stability is not a luxury; it is a fundamental right that lays the groundwork for a healthy and thriving future for our children,” said Stephanie Ettinger de Cuba, PhD, MPH, Executive Director of Children’s HealthWatch. “The Economic Security Project has championed pilots and policies that put cash back into families' pockets, including guaranteed income and family tax credits. These efforts acknowledge that when families are financially secure, children flourish in every aspect of their lives—from health to education and beyond.”
The 2024 Marilyn Meyerhoff Equity Award was presented to Kofi Essel, MD, MPH, FAAP, a board-certified community pediatrician and inaugural food as medicine director at Elevance Health. Named after the late Marilyn Meyerhoff, a longtime benefactor and sponsor of Children’s HealthWatch, this annual award is given to a passionate advocate committed to achieving equity for all children and their families.
Dr. Essel has dedicated his entire career to advocacy and research around healthcare training, health disparities, and community engagement. His holistic approach acknowledges that food security is a critical component of pediatric health, and he actively works to eliminate the barriers that prevent families from accessing healthy options and quality healthcare.
"I am humbled to receive the 2024 Children’s HealthWatch Marilyn Meyerhoff Equity Award. My gratitude goes to the children and families who've shared their stories, fueling my dedication to advance change through research, education, and advocacy,” said Dr. Kofi Essel. “This award acknowledges the efforts of many partner individuals and organizations committed to improving children's health and well-being and ensuring access to essential resources. I’m thankful and inspired to continue our vital work for a brighter, healthier future for all children and families."
“Children’s HealthWatch thanks Dr. Essel for his transformative work connecting the dots to demonstrate how healthcare can address longstanding racial health disparities by prioritizing access to nutritious and culturally relevant food to prevent, manage, and even treat health conditions exacerbated by food insecurity and economic hardship,” said Ettinger de Cuba.
To learn more visit https://childrenshealthwatch.org/awards/.
About Children’s HealthWatch
Children's HealthWatch is a nonpartisan network of pediatricians, public health researchers, and policy and child health experts committed to improving children's health in America. Our mission is to achieve health equity for young children and their families by advancing research to transform policy.