CCHD Named Public Health Team of the Year

City-County Health District (CCHD) has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the North Dakota Public Health Association’s Public Health Team of the Year Award, an honor recognizing outstanding collaboration on a unique or impactful public health initiative. 

CCHD earned the award for its leadership and coalition-building around preserving a comprehensive local ordinance banning the sale of all flavored e-liquid products used for vaping. Originally passed in 2016, the ordinance faced potential repeal via an advisory vote scheduled for June 11, 2024. In response, the CCHD team launched a coordinated public education and engagement effort that contributed to a decisive result: 68% of Valley City voters rejected Measure 2, keeping the nation-leading flavor ban in place and reaffirming community commitment to youth tobacco prevention. 

“While this award highlights the leadership of Emma Tufte and Kaitlen Lee, it truly reflects the strength of our entire CCHD team and partners,” said Katie Beyer, Administrator of City-County Health District. “This recognition has further galvanized our belief that the real magic in public health is in the quiet courage of people who show up, speak up, and lift others along the way.” 

The award will be formally presented at the 40th Annual Dakota Conference on Rural and Public Health, taking place in June 2025. 

Kaitlen Lee, Emma Tufte