Durham County Public Health Director Honored with Distinguished Service Award

October 7, 2026

Durham, NC - Durham County Department of Public Health (DCoDPH) Director Dr. Rodney Jenkins has been honored with the 2026 North Carolina Public Health Association (NCPHA) Distinguished Service Award. The award, presented at the 2026 NCHPA Fall Educational Conference, honors an NCPHA member for outstanding service to the organization.

“[Dr. Jenkins] is more than a respected public health leader; he is a mentor, advocate, colleague, and friend who genuinely believes in the people who make public health work,” said NCPHA President Andrea Freeman. “He consistently encourages others to grow, step into leadership roles, and recognize the difference they can make within their organizations and communities.”

Dr. Jenkins joined DCoDPH as Public Health Director in 2020, after nine years as Deputy Public Health Director in Cumberland County, NC. During his time at DCoDPH, Dr. Jenkins has served in leadership roles of several public health organizations for Durham and the state, including terms as president of NCPHA and the North Carolina Association of Local Health Directors. He currently serves as the President of the North Carolina Alliance for Public Health Agencies. For his service and leadership, Dr. Jenkins has also been honored with the 2022 Ronald Levine Public Health Award and the 2023 Reynold’s Achievement Award, before leading DCoDPH to be named Dr. Sarah Taylor Morrow Health Department of the Year in 2024.

“The North Carolina Public Health Association is the premiere professional association for public health in the Southeast. To receive this award from an organization that I cherish is beyond my wildest dreams,” said Dr. Jenkins. “I am proud to represent Durham as I receive this recognition with grace and humility. Our work in public health is relentless though quiet at times, but I hope this recognition amplifies the thousands of hard-working public healthers who are committed to educating, promoting and protecting North Carolina’s health and well-being.”