Rankin County doctor receives prestigious public health award
JANS – Dr. Gerri Cannon-Smith has been awarded the Alton B. Cobb Lifetime Achievement Award for her indefatigable work in public health.
“On behalf of the Mississippi Public Health Association (MPHA), we are pleased to inform you that you have been selected to receive the Alton B. Cobb Lifetime Achievement Award,” the announcement read. “This award, named after a former Mississippi State Health Officer, is given to individuals who exemplify the service standards set by Dr. Alton Cobb. Your career has certainly made you an excellent individual to receive this award.”
Cobb is credited with transforming Mississippi’s public health system by integrating services – a needed departure from the traditional categorical service delivery system. The Cobb Award is given to individuals who have “contributed significant lifetime service to the improvement of public health.”
Dr. Cannon-Smith has years of experience as a board-certified pediatrician, public health practitioner, administrator, PH/Disparity scholar, and public health faculty. Her medical degree from the University of Mississippi Medical School followed undergraduate studies at Howard University. She completed her pediatric training at Howard University Hospital and Loma Linda University Children’s Medical Center. She received her Master of Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley.
Currently, Dr. Cannon-Smith is focusing on the intersections of climate health, health equity, and social and environmental justice. She is founding chair of Mississippi Health Professionals for Climate and Health Equity and Medical Society Consortium CHEF alumnus. Active in professional and community organizations, she serves as Climate advocate for AAP-MS Chapter, NAACP Health, Environmental Climate Justice Committee Chairs.
Dr. Gerri Cannon-Smith, a Rankin County native, is married to Kenneth Smith. They have two adult daughters.
