​American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Alaska Government Relations Director, Emily Nenon recently received the 2024 David P. Rall Award for Advocacy in Public Health from the American Public Health Association (APHA) for dedication to tobacco control policy work and access to care. 

This national award is granted to individuals who make outstanding contributions to public health through science-based advocacy. Since 2001, Emily and has been a part of ACS CAN’s advocacy efforts, including recent legislative advances in the expansion of telehealth as well as a diagnostic mammogram bill eliminating patient cost-sharing for Alaskans in need of additional screenings for breast cancer. She has led campaigns for local and statewide smoke-free workplace laws and helped secure Medicaid expansion as a founding member of Alaskans Together for Medicaid. Her nominators also recognized the annual policy forum she hosts, working with the state’s public health community to advance cancer prevention and care throughout Alaska. 

"I'm so proud of our accomplishments in Alaska,” Emily said. "It is a privilege to get to represent our work and tell our story on a national stage. I'm grateful to my ACS CAN family, my ACS Alaska team, partner agency colleagues, law makers, and especially our amazing volunteers for supporting me and our accomplishments in Alaska.” 

The APHA noted, “Faced with the state's unique public health challenges, including its expansive geography and diverse populations, … [Emily] has utilized public health best practices, built strong relationships, mentored others and shown relentless perseverance. Her work has significantly advanced the health and well-being of Alaskans, with positive effects that will endure for generations.” 

In her acceptance speech, Emily remembered volunteers lost too soon to cancer: "Roland Shanks, who summarized every major Affordable Care Act news article for me. Ryan Kaufman, who still makes me smile remembering his infectious energy and passion working with youth on tobacco prevention.” 

It was an ACS “Daffodil Days” volunteer, the late Michele Keel, who recruited Emily to come to ACS. “Michele said I’d love it. She was right!” Emily says. “When I’m quiet, I can hear their voices and see their faces, the ones who have gone on before us. It’s a rare gift we share as ACS and ACS CAN colleagues, to be able to dedicate our work to their legacy over and over again.”

“Emily brings a gentle tenacity to her work as the Alaska Government Relations Director,” said ACS CAN Managing Director, Luke Cavener. “During her two decades serving Alaskans, Emily has been a consistent, thoughtful, and diplomatic impact-maker at the Alaska Statehouse. She is incredibly deserving of this recognition, and ACS CAN is lucky to call her a colleague.” 

Emily plans to continue working with state partners on tobacco prevention issues in the 2025 legislative session. She will also champion access to care issues such as the critical role telehealth plays in Alaska, especially in communities only accessible by airplane, and only when the weather cooperates.   

The Advocacy in Public Health award is a tribute to the late Dr. David P. Rall, who brought scientific research to bear on policymaking in environmental health and whose science-based advocacy advanced public health and prevention across many fields and in many forms. 

Pictured in the header image above is Emily Nenon giving her acceptance speech.