Immunization Champions
Immunization champions go above and beyond to promote the importance of immunizations in their communities. Our Immunization Action Coalition of Washington, the Washington State Department of Health, the Association of Immunization Managers and CDC recognize these individuals and their impact through the IACW Advocate, IACW Collaborator, IACW Respiratory Season Champion and AIM Immunization Champion awards.
Congratulations to all of our Immunization Champions for 2026! Get to know the winners below.
IACW Champion Award Winner
The biannual Immunization Action Coalition of Washington (IACW) Awards recognize people and groups who raise public awareness of how important immunizations and work to keep Washingtonians immunized across the lifespan. This is the work of saving lives and keeping our communities healthy.
- IACW Advocate Award: An individual, active in the Immunization Action Coalition of Washington, who has given their time and been successful in enhancing statewide immunization efforts.
- IACW Collaborator Award: An individual and/or organization, active in the Immunization Action Coalition of Washington, who has impacted their community through collaboration to help promote, educate, and increase immunization levels.
- IACW Respiratory Season Champion: An individual and/or organization, active in the Immunization Action Coalition of Washington, who has given their time and been successful in enhancing statewide immunization efforts to prevent respiratory illnesses (COVID-19, RSV, and/or Influenza/Flu).
2026
- 2026 AIM WA Immunization Champion: Alyssa Caucci, MHA
Read about Alyssa’s Immunization Champion’s Story on the AIM Winners Page.
- IACW Advocate: The Bessler Center at Mary Bridge Children’s Immunization Collaborative
- Working alongside Pierce County schools, ACTs Pharmacy and the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, the Bessler Center has made it easier for families to access trusted vaccine information and convenient immunization opportunities. Through mobile, school-based and community vaccination clinics, the collaborative helped deliver more than 1,300 vaccines in 2025.
- IACW Collaborator: Jennifer Maxwell, MD
- As a family physician at Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, Public Health Co-Chair for the Washington Academy of Family Physicians and a citizen representative-at-large for the Yakima County Health Department, Dr. Maxwell has built meaningful partnerships that strengthen immunization efforts across her community. By bringing together clinicians and public health partners to address vaccine hesitancy, identify barriers and share solutions, she has helped improve collaboration and expand access to trusted vaccine information.
- IACW Respiratory Season Champion: Tyler Young, PharmD
- Tyler and his team have become a trusted source for vaccines and vaccine education on Vashon Island. Even before enrolling in the Childhood Vaccine Program, Tyler sought grant funding to provide free flu and COVID-19 vaccines to community members who needed them. His commitment to reducing barriers to care—and his willingness to share ideas with fellow pharmacists—has helped strengthen immunization efforts far beyond his own community.
2025
- 2025 AIM WA Immunization Champion: Wil Edwards, PharmD
Read and watch more about our 2025 AIM Immunization Champion and their impactful immunization work.
2024
- 2024 AIM WA Immunization Champion: Jazel Jane M. Bautista, RPh
Read about Jazel’s Immunization Champion’s Story on the AIM Winners Page.
- IACW Advocate: Tara Cullinan
- IACW Collaborator: Elizabeth Bowman-Clark
- IACW Respiratory Season Champion: Dr. Maria Huang
2023
- 2023 AIM WA Immunization Champion: Mehr Grewal
Read about Mehr’s Immunization Champion’s story on the AIM Winner’s Page.
2022
- IACW Advocate: Lori Kelley
- IACW Collaborator: Kevy Wijaya/Stepping Stone Pediatrics
2020
- IACW Advocate: Stewart Lyman
- IACW Collaborator: Seattle Public Schools Nurses
Read more about our 2020 IACW Immunization Champion Award Winners
2018
- IACW Advocate: Jenny Arnold, PharmD
- IACW Collaborator: American Indian Health Commission
2016
- IACW Advocate: Rebecca Doughty
- IACW Collaborator: Auburn School District School Nurses
2014
- IACW Advocate: Celina Yarkin
- IACW Collaborator: Nancy Hecox/Tieton Village Drug
2012
- IACW Advocate: Carolyn Cook, RN
- IACW Collaborator: Group Health Foundation
The AIM Immunization Champion Award: Washington State Winners
The Immunization Champion Award, formerly known as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Childhood Immunization Champion Award, recognizes individuals annually who are working at the local level and is hosted by the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM). The award honors those doing an exemplary job or going above and beyond to promote or foster immunizations in their communities for children and adults. When nominating and selecting their Champion, immunization programs will base their nominations on meeting one or more of the following criteria: leadership, collaboration, innovation, and/or advocacy. Each year, an Immunization Champion is selected from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Visit the AIM website to learn more about the Immunization Champion Award and stay up to date with announcements. If you have any questions, please email champions@immunizationmanagers.org.
2026: Coming this Summer!
2025: Wil Edwards, PharmD
2024: Jazel Jane M. Bautista, RPh
2023: Mehr Grewal
2022: Ahmed Ali, PharmD
2019: Alexander Hamling, MD
2018: John Merrill-Steskal, MD
2017: Elias Kass, ND
2016: John Dunn, MD
2015: Kathy Hennessey
2014: Janet Kauzlarich, RN
2013: Edgar Marcuse, MD
2012: Wendy Sue Swanson, MD
