Florida Healthy Start honors six maternal and child health award winners

The Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions recognized six 2026 award recipients at its annual conference in Orlando on Oct. 15. The honors spotlight frontline workers and leaders whose work supports maternal, infant and early childhood health across Florida.

Why it matters: - The awards highlight the people delivering maternal and child health services across Florida. - FAHSC supports 32 Healthy Start Coalitions statewide, so the recognition reflects a broad network of community-based care. - The honorees work with pregnant and post-partum mothers, fathers, infants and young children up to age 3.

What happened: - The Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions announced its 2026 annual award winners on Oct. 20, 2026. - FAHSC honored six awardees at its annual conference in Orlando on Oct. 15, 2026. - Jessica Lariz received the Laura Pan Scholarship Award. - Shiminka Greenidge received the Manuel Fermin Maternal and Infant Health Award. - Robin Grunfelder received the FAHSC Above and Beyond Award. - Kari Senechal was named MIECHV Home Visitor of the Year. - Jaime Russin was named MIECHV Supervisor of the Year. - Linda Malavé was named MIECHV Support Staff of the Year.

The details: - The Laura Pan Scholarship Award goes to one outstanding Florida Healthy Start worker each year who provides direct services to families. - Jessica Lariz is a Senior Program Coordinator for the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County. - The Manuel Fermin Maternal and Infant Health Award recognizes an individual for leadership, innovation and exemplary work improving maternal and infant services in Florida. - Shiminka Greenidge is the Director of Women’s Health Quality and Safety at Lee Health. - The FAHSC Above and Beyond Award recognizes a Florida Healthy Start worker who exceeds expectations on a statewide project or initiative. - Robin Grunfelder is the Director of Healthy Start at the Broward County Healthy Start Coalition. - The Florida Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting program awards recognized staff across home visiting roles.

Between the lines: - FAHSC is using the awards to reinforce the value of community-based maternal and child health work. - The mix of coalition staff, health-system leaders and home visiting personnel suggests the organization is recognizing both direct service and leadership roles. - The announcement also serves as a public showcase for the statewide network FAHSC says it has built over more than 30 years.

What's next: - FAHSC is directing readers to more information about the organization and its family support services. - The association is likely to continue using its annual conference to recognize work across the Healthy Start and MIECHV networks.

The bottom line: - FAHSC is elevating six Florida maternal and child health workers whose roles range from frontline family support to program leadership.