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September 5, 2024

This summer, we awarded Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Sarah Hughes, MPH, REHS/RS, DAAS, CESM the Dr. Bailus Walker, Jr. Diversity and Inclusion Awareness Award.

LCDR Hughes makes tangible impacts to diversity and inclusion through her consistent efforts to promote and improve the health and safety of diverse populations. Her actions embody the values of Dr. Bailus Walker, Jr., enhancing public health for the following:

• People who are incarcerated with chronic illnesses
• Older adults living in long-term care facilities
• Youth experiencing mental health disorders
• Workers who are incarcerated
• LGBTQ+ youth and adults
• Economically disadvantaged youth
• Women
• Youth living in group homes

Promoting Diversity and Inclusion

At Work

LCDR Hughes is a Research Health Scientist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (CDC/NIOSH). Her work involves synthesizing NIOSH research, translating it into practical recommendations, and developing various guidance documents. Her research projects focus on health hazards associated with occupational exposure to wildland fire smoke, manganese, lead, and workplace solutions to occupational hazards. She has also deployed for the COVID-19 and Mpox response efforts. She demonstrates her commitment to diversity and inclusion through her collateral involvement in numerous initiatives within NIOSH and CDC.

To Diverse Communities

LCDR Hughes has served with multiple U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps Chartered Advisory Group committees and was recently selected to serve as a voting member with the new Climate Action, Readiness, and Equity (CARE) Surgeon General’s Advisory Group, shaping its future initiatives in the realms of climate change and health equity.

LCDR Hughes has developed occupational health resources designed to address disparities for incarcerated persons (2 million in the U.S.), including a plain language publication available in English and Spanish.

In the Community

Sarah has been committed to community service work since 2015, volunteering weekly at long-term care facilities until the COVID-19 pandemic prevented outside volunteers from entering facilities in 2020. She pivoted to volunteering monthly, working with youth who experience mental health disorders (2020 – 2023).

At Home

Sarah demonstrates consciousness of diversity through interactions and interpersonal relationships with youth in various initiatives. Since 2021, she has mentored local 3rd graders in a Cincinnati Public School that serves disadvantaged students. In addition, she has volunteered twice per month in the evening hours at a youth group home for the past 21 months.

-neha.org –

The Dr. Bailus Walker, Jr. Diversity and Inclusion Awareness Award recognizes an individual or group who has made significant achievements in developing or enhancing a more culturally diverse, inclusive, and competent environment and demonstrates support for diversity in their organization and community.