We are honored to have our work recognized by professional organizations, the press, and those we serve.
Health Entrepreneur
Bill Hardy, President & CEO, received the Cincinnati Business Courier Healthcare Heroes Award in the category of Health Entrepreneur. The Healthcare Heroes Awards recognize those who have improved the quality of health care in Greater Cincinnati through medical expertise, research and innovation, management skills, entrepreneurial initiatives, community outreach, and patient care.
Outstanding Community Partner Award
Equitas Health received the inaugural Outstanding Community Partner Award at Kenyon College’s Lavender Graduation for the Class of 2021, which honors the achievements of graduating LGBTQ+ seniors and outstanding work done on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community. This new award recognizes an organization that has supported Kenyon College’s mission of LGBTQ+ inclusion during the current academic year.
Class of 2021
Sterling Clemmons, Senior Prevention Manager, received a Class of 2021 Next Up Columbus Award from the Columbus Young Professionals Club. The Next Up Columbus Award recognizes bold, creative, and socially conscious young professionals, making a positive impact on the future of Columbus.
Corporate Ally Award
Equitas Health received the Corporate Ally Award for its mission to provide quality, affordable, and affirming care to Dayton’s LGBTQ community. Named after Dayton’s legendary Rubi Girls, the Rubi Awards honor individuals and organizations who have improved the life of Dayton’s LGBTQ community.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Michael Para, Physician and former AIDS Resource Center Ohio Medical Director, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his 39-year career fighting HIV/AIDS through research, patient care, and education. The award honors the career achievements of a healthcare professional who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, knowledge, and commitment to their organization, patients, and profession.
Practitioner of the Year
Mimi Rivard, MSN, CNP-Lead Nurse Practitioner, was named Practitioner of the Year for her dedicated and compassionate stewardship of trans health services at Equitas Health. This award recognizes healthcare practitioners who provide exemplary care and advance the practice of medicine.
Advocate
Julia Applegate, MA, Director, Equitas Health Institute, was honored by Equality Ohio for efforts to improve the health and wellness of LGBTQ+ communities across Ohio through health education, research, and community engagement. This award celebrates the impactful work of LGBTQ+ advocates in Columbus.
The Dream Award
Equitas Health received The Dream Award for its generous and unwavering support of The King Arts Complex. The Dream Award recognizes organizations, business, and individuals that have significantly impacted The King Arts Complex and the greater Columbus area. Past honorees have included NBC-4 TV, Honda, Nationwide, Robert Lazarus, and Aminah Robinson.
UNDER 40 Award
Director of Pharmacy Services, Nick Saltsman, RPh, PharmD, AAHIVP, was honored as a distinguished UNDER 40 award recipient for his impact on the profession of pharmacy through the various programs and initiatives that he has developed at Equitas Health. The Ohio Pharmacists Association created the UNDER 40 Award to honor professional achievements and vision in the practice of pharmacy.
40 Under 40 Class of 2019
Dwayne Steward, Director of Prevention, and James Ferguson, Board Trustee, were named to Columbus Business First’s 40 Under 40, Class of 2019. Since 1993, Columbus Business First has recognized Central Ohio’s young talent through this annual program. Honorees are chosen for their outstanding career achievements and impressive community service.
40 Under 40 Class of 2019
Cate Berger, Director of Development, was honored by the Dayton Business Journal for her work raising resources and awareness to address public health concerns in the city of Dayton. Honorees are chosen for their outstanding career achievements and commitment to community service.
Advocate
Luster Singleton, Mozaic, was honored by Equality Ohio for their outstanding and enduring career as an advocate for the transgender community. This award celebrates the impactful work of LGBTQ+ advocates in Columbus.
20 Under 40 Class of 2019
Trisha Pound, Clinical Supervisor, was named to the Newark Advocate’s 20 Under 40 for her commitment to improving the health and well-being of people living with HIV in Newark and the surrounding communities of Licking County. Honorees are recognized for their exceptional career achievements and community service.
The POZ 100
Mikayla Robinson, Prevention, was named to Poz Magazine’s 2019 Poz 100 list for her work as a trans health navigator, an adviser to the Ohio Department of Health for the Prevention Assistance Program Interventions (PAPI) program, and for helping establish Mozaic, Ohio’s first community center for transgender and gender non-conforming and non-binary (TGNCNB) people of color. For its 10th Annual POZ 100 list, POZ Magazine celebrated TGNCNB advocates who are making a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Champions of Pride
Luster Singleton, Mozaic, was named to The Advocate’s 2019 Champions of Pride for their work on the team that opened Mozaic, Ohio’s first community center for transgender and gender non-conforming and non-binary people of color. The Advocate’s Champions of Pride is an annual list of activists, artists, politicians, influencers, and everyday people who are carrying on the Stonewall Riots’ spirit of rebellion in communities across the country.
Preceptor of the Year
Clinical Staff Pharmacist, Jacquelyn Risner-Kissel, PharmD, RPh, was named Preceptor of the Year at The Ohio State University’s Doctoral Convocation and White Coat Ceremony for her commitment to supporting those entering the field of pharmacy. Nominated by students, this award recognizes a preceptor who demonstrates a high regard for students and a strong commitment to teaching.
Upsher-Smith Excellence in Innovation Award
Equitas Health’s Chief Pharmacy Officer, Aaron Clark, R.Ph., PharmD, AAHIVP, received The Ohio Pharmacists Association’s 2018 Upsher-Smith Excellence in Innovation Award. This award honors pharmacists who have demonstrated innovative pharmacy practice, resulting in improved patient care with effective patient counseling.
Health Care Executive Award
Peggy Anderson, Chief Operations Officer, received the Health Care Executive Award from the Columbus Business First’s Champions of Healthcare Health Care, which honors Central Ohio medical professional who are raising the region’s quality of life through dedication to patient care, innovations in research and technology ,and outstanding health care management.
Healthcare Trailblazer of the Year
Equitas Health President & CEO, Bill Hardy, was named Healthcare Trailblazer of the Year. The award recognizes organizations, companies, or individuals for innovative or entrepreneurial healthcare initiatives that improve the practice of medicine or delivery of care.
Volunteer of the Year
HIV Testing and Safe Point volunteer, John Ridge, was named Volunteer of the Year. The award recognizes an individual or individuals who make a positive impact by devoting time, expertise, and/or dollars to support local healthcare organizations, patients, and the community.
Pathway to Population Health Award – Finalist
Equitas Health, as an organization, was also recognized as a finalist for the Pathway to Population Health Award This award recognizes an organization, company, or individual for creative and proactive efforts that reduce the incidence of disease and improve the well-being of communities.
Executive of the Year Award – Finalist
Peggy Anderson, Equitas Health Chief Operating Officer, was recognized as a finalist for the Executive of the Year Award. This award recognizes an individual who makes a positive impact on a healthcare organization and those it serves through sustained, outstanding administrative efforts.
Lifetime Achievement Award – Finalist
Michael Para, MD, Columbus Medical Director at Equitas Health, was recognized as a finalist for the Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognizes a healthcare professional who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, knowledge, decision-making skills, and commitment to his or her organization, patients, and profession throughout their career.
Practitioner of the Year Award – Finalist
Mimi Rivard, MSN, CNP, Nurse Practitioner at Equitas Health, was recognized as a finalist for the Practitioner of the Year Award. This award recognizes a healthcare provider for their outstanding care and/or advancing the practice of medicine.
Non-Profit Sustainability Award for Equitas Health Pharmacy
In partnership with SocialVentures (formerly The Center for Social Enterprise Development), The Metropreneur recognized Equitas Health Pharmacy for its innovative social enterprise.
Agency of the Year – Ohio Chapter
The Agency of the Year Award honors agencies that best exemplify social work values in the field. Equitas Health was recognized for its Safe Point program.
Bill Hardy, President & CEO, was awarded the 2016 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the Health Care and Technical Services category for the Ohio Valley (Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky) Region. The award recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment to their business and communities. Business leaders were selected by a panel of independent judges, and award winners were announced at a special gala at the Hyatt Regency in Cincinnati. Described by the awards committee as “Mission Obsessed,” Bill’s visionary leadership has helped shape Equitas Health’s transformational growth into a community health center.
Equitas Health has been selected as the recipient of the Equality Award presented by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Columbus Gala. The Equality Award is given to an individual or organization that embodies the passion and dedication of advancing LGBTQ equality that is central to HRC’s mission. It is the most prestigious award given by HRC Columbus. The award comes after Equitas Health was recognized as a “Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality” by the national Human Rights Campaign, receiving a 100% rating on the 2016 Healthcare Equality Index.
Equitas Health was named one of the Five Nonprofits to Watch by the Columbus Foundation. Every year, The Foundation recognizes five innovative nonprofits that are poised for an exceptional year of growth and progress.
Equitas Health was selected as a finalist for the Ohio Association of Nonprofit Organizations’ (OANO) Excellence Award for the Southwest Region. Our Dayton Medical Center & Pharmacy was selected for demonstrated excellence with a project or program. Projects and programs were judged on effectiveness, creativity, and relevance to their mission.
Equitas Health was selected for Agency of the Year by the local chapter of the National Association of Social Workers in recognition of our agency’s outstanding contributions to Central Ohio, including Safe Point, which educates the community about safer drug use and fights the spread of infectious diseases.
The Dayton Business Journal 2016 Business of the Year Awards named Equitas Health the second place finalist for Not-for-Profit Business of the Year. President & CEO, Bill Hardy was also a second place finalist for Executive of the Year.
The Ohio State University College of Public Health has selected Equitas Health President & CEO, Bill Hardy, and Equitas Health as recipients of the Dean’s Award for the 2016 Champions of Public Health Awards. The award is in recognition of Equitas Health’s commitment to improving the lives of HIV patients and the LGBT community.
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Behine the scenes
Equitas Health has been serving the region since 1984. Learn about our roots, our present, and our vision for the future.
About Us about About UsMeet out Executive Leadership Team and Board of Trustees.
Leadership about LeadershipWe believe in transparency and invite you to view our annual audited financial statements and annual reports.
Financial Information & Annual Reports about Annual Reports & Financial InformationFind contact information, press releases, headshots, and other resources for the press.
Media Resources – Large Image Callouts about Media ResourcesYou have the power to impact someone’s health journey. Attend an upcoming volunteer training!
Volunteer about VolunteerOur Institute offers online and in-person training to companies and organizations looking to create more LGBTQ+ affirming environments.
about Education & TrainingWe prioritize advocating for policies that pursue health justice. Learn more.
Public Policy Priorities about Public Policy Priorities
Equitas Health Institute
We believe LGBTQ+ people deserve respectful and affirming work environments. The Supreme Court agrees. Is your workforce trained? Make the Institute’s unique and highly informative e-Learning modules part of your training suite.
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When you give to Equitas Health, you help more people get quality, lower cost, affirming healthcare and social services in your community and throughout the region. Thank you for your commitment to community health!
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