Grinager wins state emerging leader award in public health

The Local Public Health Association (LPHA) of Minnesota announced this month that Cook County Public Health Supervisor Grace Grinager is the recipient of the 2021 LPHA Emerging Leader Award.

The annual award recognizes emerging local public health leaders who go above and beyond to move public health work forward. The LPHA says Grinager was selected based on her leadership in public health at the state and local levels. Grinager has played a key role in guiding Cook County through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Cook County has continually been recognized for its low case count and high vaccination rate when compared to other counties across the state. Cook County is the only county to not record a death from COVID-19 among local residents.

Earlier this year Grinager was recognized by the Norway House in Minneapolis for her leadership in public health.

The LPHA Emerging Leader Award was presented to Grinager on Nov. 18. She took a moment to receive the award virtually while a vaccination clinic was occurring at the community center last Thursday.

WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs spoke with Grinager about the award and other news about the ongoing pandemic.