Mona Bormet of CCIH Receives APHA 2023 Mid-Career Achievement Award
CCIH Program Director Mona Bormet was selected by the American Public Health Association (APHA) International Health Section to receive the 2023 Mid-Career Award in International Health.
The award recognizes an outstanding mid-career professional who has demonstrated achievement, commitment and creativity in promoting international public health.
“Mona has distinguished herself over her career as a tireless and outspoken advocate for improved health in low-and middle-income countries,” said Doug Fountain, CCIH Executive Director. “She is especially intent on lifting the voice of local, community-based organizations that sometimes are excluded from large donor-funded programs.”
Doug highlighted Mona’s impressive ability to creatively leverage CCIH and her network to help organizations position themselves to participate in large-scale health programs, greatly expanding the number of people they can reach with health services, education and advocacy. For example, she engaged FBOs in programs funded by USAID and private donors such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and others.
Mona first became interested in public health during her time at university. “As an undergraduate, I took a class called ‘Health Care in the 21st Century’ and that’s when I really understood what public health was – especially studying about the aging population and HIV/AIDS and communicable diseases,” said Mona. “That course opened my eyes to working in health care, not as a doctor or a nurse, but really focused on preventive health care and community-based care, and I switched my major.”
In her work with CCIH, Mona spearheaded the implementation of CCIH’s 30×30 Health Systems Initiative, which now has 33 commitment makers working in 35 countries, improving health services and education for more than 1.3 million people. Building on this success, she developed a Small Grants Program for faith-based organizations and Business Development training for CCIH members to improve their readiness to pursue funding. She also led the development of an organization capacity assessment tool and action planning process that was tested with multiple USAID programs and is currently being used in several countries with many organizations.
Building relationships with so many faith-based partners across the globe has been a highlight of Mona’s career. “I have truly been blessed to learn and be challenged by so many faith-based organizations and religious leaders,” she said. “They’ve stood alongside me as advocates for the good work faith-based organizations do all over the world, and have also challenged me to think about what community education and ownership and empowerment really means. I’m grateful for the people that God has placed in my path to walk alongside and to learn from.”
Mona received the award on November 14, 2023 at the APHA annual conference in Atlanta, Ga. USA. Above photo includes from left Carolyn O’Brien, CCIH; Dr. Henry Perry, Awards Committee Chair for the International Health Section; Mona Bormet; Deirdre Church, CCIH; and Dr. Mark Strand, North Dakota State University and CCIH member.
16 Comments
Nicholas Engwau
on August 28, 2023 at 11:54 am
Congratulations for the excellent work and representation of the Organization.
FUL Morine
on August 28, 2023 at 2:12 pm
Congratulations dear Mona. You deserve it.
Lois Varenkamp
on August 28, 2023 at 2:12 pm
Congratulations to Mona! Her whole-hearted service to individuals and communities has had both local and international impact. Additionally, she inspires individuals like me that we can make a difference in this big world.
Onomoase Omorebokhae
on August 28, 2023 at 4:14 pm
Congratulations Mona. This award is well deserved.
Adrienne Allison
on August 28, 2023 at 4:34 pm
Awesome and rare accomplishment – making this world a better place!
Florence Bull
on August 28, 2023 at 4:55 pm
Congratulations Mona. We are super proud of you. Thank you for your relentless support to us. Many blessings.
Nancy Pendarvis Harris
on August 28, 2023 at 5:02 pm
Wow, Mona! Congratulations! I cannot think of anyone I know who is more deserving. It is wonderful.
Suleman Maisule
on August 29, 2023 at 1:30 am
Congratulations Mona, thank you for the selfless services you are rendering to CCIH, its members and the world. We are proud of you. We pray for more grace and wisdom as you continue to serve.
Programme d'Actions pour le Développement au Congo asbl (RDC)
on August 29, 2023 at 5:07 am
Toutes nos félicitations à madame Mona d’avoir remportée ce prix.
de la part de PADCO asbl
Sallie Craig Huber
on August 29, 2023 at 8:58 pm
Yes, Mona! Big congratulations to you on this well deserved honor. We hope to be able to celebrate this honor with you in person in November.
Mona
on August 30, 2023 at 10:13 am
I really appreciate all the support – I am fortunate to work with so many wonderful people!
Douglas H. Huber
on August 30, 2023 at 10:26 am
Congratulations! Well deserved. Your creativity and perseverance are an inspiration to all. It has been a pleasure to work with you over these several years. Best wishes for continued success through the fruits of faith.
ROBIN C DAVIS
on August 30, 2023 at 4:19 pm
Mona, congratulations on this well-deserved international award for your commitment to community-based health and partnerships.
Keep up the great work!
Warm regards,
Robin Davis
Former, CCIH President
Irene Nakiriggya
on September 5, 2023 at 1:06 am
Congratulations Mona!
You inspire.
David Isaya
on September 13, 2023 at 9:22 am
Mona is hardworking, and dedicated to what she does. She deserve this award, we remember her contribution to CSSC’s in the development of the CPRC project.
Ray Martin
on December 8, 2023 at 10:54 pm
In the nearly 13 years that Mona worked for CCIH, first as a part-time project manager and later as full-time Program Director, she made a measurable contribution to the growing reputation of CCIH as a respected, influential player in the global health and family planning arena. The IH Section of APHA is spot on in recognizing her talents and impact.