(HOLLAND, MI.) – The Ottawa County Department of Public Health (OCDPH) is proud to announce that Health Officer Adeline Hambley has received the prestigious 2025 Jean Chabut Health Policy Champion award from the Michigan Public Health Week Partnership.
The Jean Chabut Health Policy Champion award recognizes individuals or organizations for significant contributions to the health and well-being of Michigan citizens in the policy arena at local and/or state levels that strengthens public health. Hambley received the award during a special ceremony in Lansing on April 9th as part of Public Health Week in Michigan.
Hambley was honored for her unwavering commitment to maintain health department operations despite unprecedented financial and political challenges. Throughout these challenges, she championed evidence-based public health practices and defended Ottawa County citizens’ legal right to public health services under the Michigan Public Health Code. When facing potential budget cuts that threatened essential services, Hambley took decisive action to inform the community about the implications for public health. Her advocacy inspired hundreds of community members to rally in support of the health department, ultimately helping secure necessary funding for mandated services.
Hambley was officially approved as Administrative Health Officer by both the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners and the State of Michigan in 2022. In February 2023, after a newly seated board attempted to replace her, Hambley filed a lawsuit against a majority of board members, alleging they were interfering with her statutory duties. She subsequently endured a protracted dismissal hearing and settlement discussions that concluded in 2024 with her retaining her position as Health Officer.
Throughout this challenging period, Hambley demonstrated extraordinary dedication to Ottawa County residents by upholding essential local public health services guaranteed under Michigan law.
“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition. I am grateful to the entire public health team and the Ottawa County community who stood with us during challenging times,” Hambley said. “The past few years have reminded me that public health is both a professional responsibility and a community commitment. Every day, our dedicated staff works to prevent disease, promote wellness, and protect our environment because everyone deserves the opportunity to be healthy.”
Prior to becoming the department’s chief executive, Hambley served as Environmental Health Manager from 2011-2022. Her 20-plus year career with the health department began as a Senior Environmental Health Specialist before advancing to Environmental Health Supervisor. Her professional accomplishments include awards from the Michigan Environmental Health Association and the National Association of City and County Health Officials. She was also one of just 35 public health professionals nationwide selected to participate in a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) leadership development program. Hambley has held various local, state, and national leadership positions. She holds a Master of Business Administration degree and a Bachelor of Science degree from Grand Valley State University.
This recognition continues OCDPH’s tradition of excellence. In 2023, the Department also received the Jean Chabut award for excellence in public health emergency preparedness.
About the Jean Chabut Health Policy Champion Award
The Jean Chabut Health Policy Champion award recognizes individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions in the policy arena to strengthen public health. In 2015, this award was renamed in memory of Jean Chabut, who served as Deputy Director of Public Health at the Michigan Department of Community Health from 2003 to 2012. From her beginnings as a public health nurse in Detroit, through her transition to public health administrator, until her death in 2014, Jean was a tireless advocate who fought for improved health for Michigan’s most vulnerable citizens.
About Ottawa County Department of Public Health
The Ottawa County Department of Public Health works with our community to help assure conditions that promote and protect health for all. OCDPH’s vision is healthy people. For more information, visit miottawa.org/mihealth. Follow us on Facebook @miOttawaHealth, Instagram @miOCDPH or Twitter @miOCDPH.
Comments