Great Lakes Wire

Dr. Renée Branch Canady, CEO of the Michigan Public Health Institute (MPHI), has been honored with the 2024 Sharon Parks Award by the Michigan League of Public Policy (MLPP). The award recognizes her significant contributions to public health and her dedication to reducing racial health disparities.

The Sharon Parks Award is given to individuals who improve the well-being of vulnerable residents in Michigan and demonstrate exceptional leadership, advocacy, or research. Established in 2010 by the MLPP Board of Directors, it is named after former CEO Sharon Parks.

Since 2014, Dr. Canady has led MPHI as its CEO, focusing on promoting healthcare equity and enhancing the welfare of Michigan's residents and beyond. Her book “Room at the Table: A Leader’s Guide to Advancing Health Equity and Justice” reflects on her experiences with racial prejudice and offers guidance on equity principles in public health. Her efforts have made her a prominent figure in public health, earning her this accolade from MLPP.

“We are excited to recognize Dr. Canady for being a trailblazer in her field, both statewide and nationally, and for her unwavering commitment to addressing health disparities, especially in racial health,” said Monique Stanton, CEO of Michigan League of Public Policy.

The award was presented during MLPP’s 2024 Public Policy Forum. This annual event addresses policies aimed at creating an economy rooted in racial equity and supports economic justice across Michigan. It aligns with MLPP's mission to advocate for policies that dismantle historic and systemic racial and economic inequities in the state.