Annual Awards

Each year, the Iowa Primary Care Association recognizes outstanding individuals for their contributions to Iowa’s community health centers.

Nominations are submitted by community health center peers and community partners. These individuals are recognized for their dedication to the Health Center Movement and for their extraordinary work on behalf of their peers, patients, and community.

2025 Award Winners

  • Dr. Bery Engebretsen Visionary Award

    Gina Throckmorton

    Chief Operations Officer

    River Hills Community Health Center

  • Outstanding Provider Award

    Michelle Christensen, PA-C

    Associate Medical Director & Physician Assistant

    All Care Health Center

  • Unsung Hero Award

    Rosalinda Nehring

    Patient Care Technician

    United Community Health Center

  • Unsung Hero Award

    Naomi Marroquín

    Bilingual Health Team Lead

    Proteus, Inc.

  • Exceptional Network Support Award

    Erica Shannon Stueve

    General Counsel

    Iowa PCA, INConcertCare, & IowaHealth+

  • Impact Award

    Jeff Allen

    Forvis Mazars

  • Advocates of the Year Award

    Siouxland Community Health Center

  • Communicators of the Year Award

    Promise Community Health Center

Previous Winners

    • Dr. Bery Engebretsen Visionary: Joe Lock, President & CEO, Eastern Iowa Health Center

    • Outstanding Provider: Kari Ney, Midwife, Promise Community Health Center

    • Unsung Hero: Shannon Price, Dental Receptionist, River Hills Community Health Center

    • Exceptional Network Support: Katie Owens, Senior Director of Engagement, Iowa PCA

    • Advocates of the Year: Community Health Center of Fort Dodge

    • Communicators of the Year: Crescent Community Health Center

    • Lifetime Achievement: Kelly Huntsman, CEO, Primary Health Care, Inc.

    • Lifetime Achievement: Mari Kaptain-Dahlen, Former CEO, Siouxland Community Health Center

    • Carl Kulczyk Memorial Award: Heather Rickertsen, PharmD, Crescent Community Health Center

    • Outstanding Provider Award: Danielle O'Brien-Day, LMHC, NCC, Infinity Health

    • Unsung Hero Award: Kailee Jenness, LBSW, Promise Community Health Center

    • Impact Award: Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation

    • Communicators of the Year: All Care Health Center

    • Advocates of the Year: Community Health Care, Inc.

    • Carl Kulczyk Memorial Award: Ken Jones, DDS, Dental Director, River Hills Community Health Center

    • Unsung Hero Award: LuAnn Duran, Financial Counselor, Crescent Community Health Center

    • Outstanding Provider Award: Natalie Schaller, DO, Family Practice Physician/Co-Medical Director, United Community Health Center

    • Community Impact Award: Nick Hooker, DDS, Primary Health Care

    • Impact Award: Nancy Adrianse, Integrated Health Consultant, Iowa Primary Care Association

    • Lifetime Achievement Award: Bery Engebretsen, MD, Chief Visionary, Primary Health Care

    • Carl Kulczyk Memorial Award: John Brandt, Board Member, Eastern Iowa Health Center

    • Unsung Hero Award: Jim Denman, Senior Grant Accountant, Primary Health Care

    • Outstanding Provider Award: Emily Sinnwell, DNP, ARNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, Proteus, Inc.

    • Carl Kulczyk Memorial Award: Mary Rose Corrigan, Board Member, Crescent Community Health Center and Heidi Price-Eastman, Pharmacy Director, Primary Health Care, Inc.

    • Unsung Hero Award: Di Daniels, Board Member, United Community Health Center

    • Outstanding Provider Award: Sharon Duclos, MD, Medical Director, Peoples Community Health Clinic

    • Carl Kulczyk Memorial Award: Frank LaMere, Siouxland Community Health Center

    • Unsung Hero Award: Maria Ramos, United Community Health Center

    • Outstanding Provider Award: Dr. Muhammad Pathan, Peoples Community Health Clinic

    • Carl Kulczyk Memorial Award: Rick Johnson, River Hills Community Health Center

    • Unsung Hero Award: Diane Yang, United Community Health Center

    • Outstanding Provider Award: David Yurdin, Primary Health Care, Inc.

    • Carl Kulczyk Memorial Award: Nancy Dykstra, Promise Community Health Center

    • Unsung Hero Award: Roger Lacoy, Primary Health Care, Inc.

    • Outstanding Provider Award: Shilo Hilger, DDS, River Hills Community Health Center

    • Carl Kulczyk Memorial Award: Don Ortman, Promise Community Health Center

    • Unsung Hero Award: Bill Miller, Infinity Health

    • Outstanding Provider Award: Patricia Blackledge, River Hills Community Health Center

    • Carl Kulczyk Memorial Award: Bernie Tadda, Community Health Care, Inc.

    • Unsung Hero Award: Diane Meland, Siouxland Community Health Center

    • Outstanding Provider Award: Larry Richard, MD, Infinity Health

    • Carl Kulczyk Memorial Award: Lanett Kane, Peoples Community Health Clinic

    • Unsung Provider Award: Al Ausili, Peoples Community Health Clinic

    • Outstanding Provider Award: Dr. Thor Swanson, Siouxland Community Health Center

    • Carl Kulczyk Memorial Award: Lorna Hines, Primary Health Care

    • Unsung Hero Award: Lacey Naaktgeboren, Proteus, Inc.

    • Outstanding Provider Award: William Souto, DDS, Crescent Community Health Center

    • Carl Kulczyk Memorial Award: Ron Kemp, Community Health Centers of Southeastern Iowa

    • Unsung Hero Award: Joe Heitritter, Promise Community Health Center

    • Carl Kulczyk Memorial Award: Jennifer Schmit, Peoples Community Health Clinic

    • Unsung Hero Award: Suzanne Maiers, Crescent Community Health Center