Those honored with awards are selected from nominations submitted by their colleagues. A selection committee of public health professionals reviews all nominations and select the award recipients. The 2025 awards include:

2025 Lifetime Achievement Recognition Award Recipient:

Gerri L. Mattson, MD, MSPH, FAAP

Dr. Mattson is renowned for her exceptional contributions to the well-being of children in our state. Over the course of more than two decades, she has held pivotal leadership roles within the NC Department of Health and Human Services. Her work has significantly advanced prenatal health, early childhood development, mental health, and the care of children and youth with special health care needs. Dr. Mattson has also been instrumental in state and national efforts related to immunizations and addressing social determinants of health. Her passion and dedication has led to the enhancement of evidence-based pediatric services, improved access to care, and the establishment of vital linkages to necessary services for vulnerable communities.

2025 Individual Achievement Award Recipient:

Raydiance Swanston, MPH, CHES®, Mecklenburg County Public Health

Raydiance Swanston, MPH, CHES, is the Senior Program Health Manager of Dental Services at Mecklenburg County Public Health. She oversees a clinic that provides pediatric dental services to over 2,300 uninsured or underinsured children. Raydiance initiated the Save a Smile pilot program, which covers the cost of in-office sedation and treatment at the County’s contracted Pediatric Dental Office. She started Give Kids a Smile Day in 2023, where 30 patients received dental care. By 2025, the event had grown to serve over 357 children. Additionally, Raydiance manages the new mobile dental unit, which provided dental care to 808 students and 100 preschool children from February to June 2025. She supervises a team of 14 at the brick-and-mortar clinic and has secured $2 million in grant funding to support dental programs, ensuring access to dental services for uninsured or underinsured children. Her unwavering commitment and innovative approach have made a significant impact on the county.

2025 Public Health Staff Recognition Award Recipient:

Shruti Shastri, DDS, MHA, Rockingham County Division of Public Health

Dr. Shastri has made significant strides providing access to dental care for children in Rockingham County. Since her arrival in 2018, she has overseen a remarkable increase in the number of children served by the in-house Dental Clinic, from 432 to over 650 by 2024. Dr. Shastri played a pivotal role in launching the Mobile Dental Unit (MDU) program in 2023, which provides essential on-site dental care at elementary schools for children who meet income requirements and do not have a dentist. Additionally, she has spearheaded other impactful projects, including the redecoration of the Dental Clinic in 2020 and organizing events in 2022 and 2025 to provide dental care and educational activities for children without dental insurance. Dr. Shastri's unwavering enthusiasm continues to enhance dental care accessibility for the community's most vulnerable children.

2025 Local Health Department Achievement Award Recipient:

Cabarrus Health Alliance, Primary Care Clinic

Cabarrus Health Alliance’s has revolutionized the management of care at its Primary Care Clinic. The integrated primary care clinic offers medical, dental, and behavioral health treatments into a single, cohesive location. This approach allows patients to receive traditional medical visits, non-invasive dental treatments, and behavioral health support without ever leaving the clinic. By breaking down treatment barriers, this model has enhanced patient care, serving 632 dental patients (454 pediatric and 178 maternity) and 223 behavioral health pediatric patients last year.

Catawba County Public Health, Community Health Workers

The Catawba County Public Health Community Health Workers Program is dedicated to ensuring that all families in Catawba County have the opportunity to live long, healthy lives, regardless of their income, education, neighborhood, or background. The Community Health Workers address the Social Drivers of Health by linking families to essential community services and resources. This includes housing support, utilities, food pantries, and other nutrition programs, transportation, employment and vocational rehabilitation resources, navigation of clinical care systems, insurance and charity care, and assistance in filling out applications and forms required to receive these services. They also provide motivation and support, helping people overcome language and health literacy barriers that stand in the way of accessing these vital services.

Macon County Public Health, Child Services

Macon County Public Health's child-focused initiatives-including the Molar Roller, School¬-Based Telehealth, Healthy Little Learners, Healthy Little Chefs, Macon Milk, and Vision Blitz-represent a comprehensive, innovative approach to reducing health disparities among children and families in a rural Appalachian community. These programs bring dental, medical, vision, early literacy, maternal wellness, and nutrition services directly to where families live and learn, overcoming geographic and financial barriers. With strong partnerships, passionate dedicated staff, and a commitment to early intervention, the health department empowers families and improves long-term health outcomes, serving as a model for community-driven public health excellence.

Congratulations to our 2025 award recipients and all nominees.

The North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation appreciates the diligence of the North Carolina Public Health Association (NCPHA) in overseeing the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation Child Health Recognition Awards program. NCPHA coordinates many tasks associated with the program, including selecting healthcare professionals to serve as selection committee members. We are grateful to the committee members for their time and careful consideration of all nominations. The information presented was provided by the nominators and reflect their views. We appreciate their participation sharing the work of others that create innovative programs. Thank you to everyone involved.