American Public Health Association Awards Organization with Presidential Citation for 2025 During Annual Meeting and Expo

Washington, DC – The American Public Health Association (APHA) this week honored Democracy Forward with its Presidential Citation for 2025 during an awards ceremony at its Annual Meeting and Expo, a gathering of 12,000 public health experts. The citation is presented to a person or organization in recognition of outstanding contributions to the advancement of public health or the public health profession. Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward, accepted the award on behalf of the organization in a ceremony attended by Democracy Forward litigators Joel McElvain and Lisa Newman among other Democracy Forward staff. 

“We celebrate the accomplishments and commitment of these outstanding public health leaders,” said Georges Benjamin, MD, Executive Director of APHA. “Their contributions have helped strengthen the field and provide inspiration as we tackle the serious challenges facing public health today.”

APHA President Dr. Deanna Wathington selected Democracy Forward “for standing in the breach with APHA as social progress, especially the public’s health, has faced assault after assault at the hands of the Trump administration. Since its founding…Democracy Forward has worked, free of charge, to defend democracy and social progress. From standing up for voting rights and protecting the rights of federal employees to ensuring appropriated federal funds are being used as intended and combating the harmful effects of Project 2025, Democracy Forward has been a light in the darkness.”

Democracy Forward has served as legal counsel to APHA multiple times since January in its work to protect against the unconstitutional actions of the administration, including a successful effort to block the President’s federal funding freeze on essential services in the first week of this administration. Since then, the organization has filed hundreds of legal actions and launched more than 150 investigations, securing multiple significant victories that directly protect Americans from harmful policies. 

“Democracy Forward is honored to receive this citation, and for the opportunity to represent APHA and its members in the fight to protect public health in America,” said Perryman. “Americans deserve a government that protects their health, not one that harms it. And yet, from withholding food assistance for children and seniors, to using junk science to threaten access to vaccines, to depriving millions of Americans of health care, to undermining access to reproductive health, this administration continues to put people and communities at risk.  We will continue to hold this administration accountable when they overstretch or overreach.”

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Democracy Forward Foundation is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org.