Press Release
Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and former State Health Director Dr. Betsey Tilson were recognized for their exemplary accomplishments in public health with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Ron H. Levine Public Health Award at the annual North Carolina Public Health Leaders’ Conference on March 13.
The Ron Levine Legacy Award is a prestigious honor named after former North Carolina State Health Director Dr. Ron Levine. Since its inception in 2004, the award has recognized individuals who have significantly improved the public health system, expanded the scope and capacity of public health services or built new and lasting partnerships that strengthen health outcomes for North Carolinians.
"Former Governor Cooper and Dr. Tilson have made extraordinary contributions to public health, shaping policies and programs that will have a lasting impact on the well-being of all North Carolinians," said Dr. Kelly Kimple, Interim State Health Director and NCDHHS Chief Medical Officer. "Their leadership, dedication and tireless efforts exemplify the spirit of the Ron Levine Award, and we are honored to celebrate their achievements."
Former Governor Cooper’s legacy includes his leadership in successfully expanding Medicaid, extending health care coverage to over 640,000 North Carolinians. He pioneered the creation of a first-of-its-kind medical debt relief program, alleviating nearly $4 billion in medical debt for low- and middle-income North Carolinians.
Additionally, as a champion for public health, former Governor Cooper has been a steadfast advocate for the health and well-being of North Carolinians, demonstrating unwavering leadership during some of the most challenging public health crises of our time. Under his leadership, North Carolina navigated the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on data-driven public health measures and equitable vaccine distribution, leading to one of the lowest per capita death rates in the Southeast and among the lowest in the nation. He played a critical role in combating misinformation and ensuring North Carolinians received trusted public health guidance throughout the pandemic.
Recognizing firearm violence as a public health issue, former Governor Cooper established the Office of Violence Prevention, which provides a centralized resource for reducing gun-related injuries and deaths. He also championed the Early Childhood Action Plan, reinforcing his belief that investing in early childhood education leads to lifelong positive health outcomes.
As a trusted public health leader, Dr. Betsey Tilson dedicated her career to improving public health systems, ensuring North Carolinians receive evidence-based and accessible health care services. As North Carolina’s State Health Director and Chief Medical Officer for the Department of Health and Human Services for seven years, she led critical health initiatives, including North Carolina’s COVID-19 response, guiding medical professionals and the public through the crisis with transparent, data-driven communication. Under her leadership, nearly 70% of North Carolinians were fully vaccinated at the height of the pandemic.
Dr. Tilson has prioritized whole-person health, championing programs such as Medicaid Expansion and the Healthy Opportunities Pilots — the nation’s first comprehensive initiative to address non-medical drivers of health, including housing, food, transportation and interpersonal safety. The pilots are now showing huge success in North Carolina, with federal partners giving approval to expand statewide. She also played a pivotal role in launching NCCARE360, the state’s first coordinated care network connecting individuals to community resources, ensuring their health and social needs were met.
A strong advocate for reproductive health care, Dr. Tilson worked to expand contraceptive services in pharmacies and enhance syphilis testing coverage under Medicaid Expansion. Additionally, she played a key role in responding to Hurricane Helene’s impact on Western North Carolina, ensuring communities had access to essential public health services during disaster response and recovery.
To learn more about the Ron H. Levine Legacy Award and its past honorees, visit the NCDHHS Division of Public Health website.
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