The Poe Center’s Annual Awards 2026
The Poe Center’s Annual Awards 2026
Each year, the Poe Center recognizes individuals and organizations in our community who have made significant contributions to advancing our mission to educate and empower North Carolina children, families, adults, and communities to improve lifelong health and well-being. Their support is critical to our success.
We are pleased to announce this year’s recipients of the Poe Center’s Annual Awards. Recipients were recognized during the Poe Center’s 35th Anniversary Celebration on September 17, 2026.
Thank you for supporting the health and well-being of North Carolinians. Congratulations to this year’s recipients!
Faye L. Miller Distinguished Service Awards
This award was established to honor a board member or volunteer who demonstrates exceptional service, dedication, and commitment to the Poe Center. The first Distinguished Service Award was presented to founding patron Faye L. Miller. Following that presentation, the award was renamed in her honor.
Dr. Cheryl Brewer, Ph.D., MSN, RN
Dr. Brewer served on the Poe Center’s Board of Directors for six years. Her role on the Nominating Committee helped recruit talented and dedicated individuals to the Board. Brewer has dedicated her career to serving her community through nursing, and her health expertise has been a valuable asset to the Poe Center. She also serves on the John Rex Endowment Equity Cohort, helping the Poe Center better serve Wake County.
David Ferrell
David Ferrell served on the Poe Center’s Board of Directors for six years. He lent his expertise to the Audit Committee and worked to connect Poe Center staff with members of the General Assembly to advocate for statewide funding.
Christine Kushner
Christine Kushner served on the Poe Center’s Board of Directors for eight years, including one term as president. She has spent her career championing education and health equity for youth, adults, and families in Wake County through her work as a county commissioner and on the Board of Education. Kushner also serves on the John Rex Endowment Equity Cohort, helping the Poe Center strengthen its workplace and its role as a community resource.
Chris Wrench
Chris Wrench served on the Poe Center’s Board of Directors for eight years, including one term as president. During his tenure, Wrench made significant contributions to the organization by chairing the Finance Committee and serving on the Executive Committee. His goal-oriented leadership helped the Poe Center advance its impact goals year after year.
The Gordon Smith Jr. Award
In May 1992, Shirley Lucey and Virginia Scanlan, co-chairs of the “Our Health… Our Future Campaign,” created the Gordon Smith Jr. Award to commemorate the crucial role that the late Gordon Smith Jr. played in the development of the Poe Center during the final months of his life.
The award is presented annually to an individual or organization whose outstanding support and leadership help strengthen the financial security of the Poe Center and perpetuate Gordon Smith Jr.’s legacy.
Konnie Tran
Konnie Tran has been a dedicated and valued partner of the Poe Center for many years in her role as the SNAP Education and Outreach Coordinator for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
Tran’s love of food led her to the field of nutrition during her undergraduate studies and inspired her to pursue graduate studies in social work. For the past 20 years, she has worked at the local, county, and state levels to improve food security and nutrition education across North Carolina. Tran has led the Poe Center’s SNAP-Ed team with integrity and passion.
President's Award
The work of promoting good health in North Carolina is strengthened by the support and dedication of many community partners. Each year, the Poe Center presents the President’s Award to honor an individual or organization whose work over the past year demonstrates a strong commitment to prevention and health education in our state.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina has been a partner of the Poe Center for more than 35 years. Members of BCBSNC have served on the Board of Directors and provided significant funding for infrastructure upgrades, including the 2019 renovation of the Substance Use Prevention theater.
The Poe Center greatly appreciates the many ways BCBSNC supports the organization and helps ensure that North Carolinians have the tools they need to make healthy choices.
Educator of the Year
This award honors a champion of physical education or health education in the schools. The recipient is a teacher who has worked closely with the Poe Center and others to implement, enhance, or establish programs and policies that support healthy behaviors.
Susanne Schmal
Susanne Schmal is a trusted partner who consistently brings people together, encourages innovation, and leads with professionalism, humility, and genuine passion. In her role with NC DPI Healthy Schools, Schmal has led numerous innovative initiatives benefiting students and families across the state.
Her positivity, sense of humor, and approachable leadership style foster an environment in which others feel valued, supported, and inspired to do their best work. The Poe Center has been privileged to partner with Schmal on numerous statewide initiatives. Her commitment to advancing healthy schools and improving the lives of North Carolina’s students, educators, and families makes her a deserving recipient of this award.
A Generation at Risk: Why Local Action in Mental Health Matters Now
A Generation at Risk: Why Local Action in Mental Health Matters Now
Ajani Doss
10th Grade, Poe Youth Empowerment Team Member
Poe Center for Health Education
Imagine being a teenager in a world that never stops asking for more. Imagine the pressure of a classroom, the noise of social media, and the weight of the future hitting you all at once.
Youth mental health is one of the most critical issues of our time. To be passionate about youth mental wellness means understanding that we are working our way through a mix of academic pressure, social media dynamics, and real-world uncertainties for which we had no way to prepare.. Our emotional well-being directly shapes our ability to learn, connect, and thrive. Healing youth mental health is not optional: it is the difference between a broken future and a surviving generation.
Right now, our generation is at a breaking point. The increase in youth suicide rates are deeply alarming. Suicide is one of the top three leading causes of death among young people, representing a devastating impact on families and communities. What makes this crisis especially concerning is that many struggles remain hidden under the surface. Shame, stigma, and fear of judgment often prevent young people from asking for help when they need it most.
Fortunately, youth have the incredible power to support one another. Friends are often the first to notice subtle changes in behavior, mood, or engagement. We can support our peers by practicing active listening, validating feelings without offering immediate judgment, and checking in regularly. Most importantly, supporting a friend means knowing when to involve a trusted adult, school counselor, or crisis line, reminding peers that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Getting involved in suicide prevention efforts turns empathy into meaningful action. Young people can advocate by starting or joining mental health awareness clubs at school, organizing stress-relief activities, and sharing crisis support resources such as the 988 Lifeline. We can make a local impact by participating in community events such as the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness Walks or NAMI Mental Health Awareness Walks. We can also take active roles by completing mental health training programs like Teen Mental Health First Aid to better recognize and support peers in distress.
By speaking openly about mental health, encouraging open dialogues, and challenging social stigma, youth can help create safe environments where everyone feels seen, valued, and supported. We must stop the silence and start the support because when a young person has a clear mind, they have the power to choose a better future.
References
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. (n.d.). Out of the Darkness Walks. Out of the Darkness Walks.
Johnson, J. V. (2023, November). Teen suicide. Your Health Magazine. Teen suicide.
Mental Health First Aid USA. (2024, October 14). 10 ways to help someone who is struggling with their mental health. 10 ways to help someone who is struggling with their mental health.
National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
Featured Program for Adults:
Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help adolescents (ages 12-18) who are experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or are in crisis.
YMHFA is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Learn more about this evidenced and research based program from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
The Poe Center regularly offers mental wellness workshops for adults and youth. Find a list of upcoming events on our “Events” page.
Schedule this program for: Parents, Caregivers, and Other Youth Serving Adults
Program Length: 7 Hours
Featured Program for Youth:
tMHFA teaches high school students (ages 15-18) how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders among their friends and peers. The training gives youth the skills to have supportive conversations with their friends and get a responsible and trusted adult to take over as necessary. It is designed to be delivered in schools or community sites. Learn more about this evidenced and research based program from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
Schedule this program for: 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade
Program length: six 45-minute sessions or three 90-minute sessions
The Poe Center regularly offers mental wellness workshops for adults and youth.
Find a list of upcoming events on our “Events” page.
