Corso’s public health service and career exemplify the spirit of dedication and collaboration that were hallmarks of F. Douglas Scutchfield’s commitment to transforming public health

June 13, 2023 – Alexandria, VA – The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) today announced the recipient of PHAB’s inaugural F. Douglas Scutchfield Leadership Award, Liza Corso, Acting Branch Chief for the Partnerships and Performance Improvement Branch with the Centers for Disease Control’s Center for State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce. The new award is in honor of F. Douglas Scutchfield, MD, FACPM, FAAFP, DSc (Hon), DHL (Hon), a passionate public health leader and long-time champion of PHAB. Dr. Scutchfield died in 2022.

This award is designed to honor individuals who, like Dr. Scutchfield, have made significant and lasting contributions to public health performance improvement, organizational excellence, and exemplary service to PHAB.

Pictured left to right: Dr. Wilma Wooten, Liza Corso, MPA, and Dr. Paul Kuehnert

Liza Corso embodies the spirit, values and commitment to service that made Dr. Scutchfield a legend in governmental public health education, research, and practice. Corso has been involved in numerous public health infrastructure initiatives and has played key leadership roles in the development and support of PHAB’s national accreditation program, national performance standards, and assessment and planning tools including the Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) tool.

“We are honored to present this inaugural award to Liza Corso, a relentless public health advocate that has been a champion of PHAB and our mission since the beginning,” said Paul Kuehnert, DNP, RN, FAAN, PHAB President and CEO. “Liza’s contributions to transforming public health practice have been invaluable and she is well positioned to carry on the legacy of Dr. Scutchfield through this award.”

Corso’s early and constant championing of PHAB’s efforts to innovate approaches to improving governmental public health will have a lasting impact on the U.S., Tribal and Territorial public health systems. This award signifies Corso’s 25 years of experience working in federal, national, and local organizations, and her dedication to the field.

“Liza is a shining example of excellence and dedication in the field of public health practice and infrastructure,” said Sam Taveras, MEd, MPH, Acting Director, Division of Partnership Support, National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “She has a long history of collaboration, making connections across the CDC, and leading initiatives that strengthen our public health system. This award is well deserved and highlights Liza’s unwavering commitment to public health.”

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About PHAB
PHAB administers the national public health accreditation program and works to advance and transform the public health practice of governmental public health departments in the United States and abroad through quality and performance improvement.

About Dr. F. Douglas Scutchfield
F. Douglas Scutchfield, MD, FACPM, FAAFP, DSc (Hon), DHL (Hon), was the inaugural Peter P. Bosomworth Professor of Health Services Research and Policy at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Scutchfield was a founding member of the PHAB Board of Directors, established and chaired the PHAB Accreditation Committee, and was instrumental in developing the field of Public Health Systems and Services Research, which became the basis of the PHAB Standards & Measures. Dr. Scutchfield’s legacy and lifetime contribution to the advancement of public health practice and the governmental public system is felt by over 400 accredited health departments today.