News Release
Aug. 24, 2026
Minnesota immunization champion creates healthier communities through education and access
Mary Langworthy, of Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school district, is Minnesota’s 2026 Immunization Champion
At the beginning of last school year, more than 6,000 students in the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school district were behind on their back-to-school immunizations. Health Services Coordinator Mary Langworthy and her team of school health nurses were determined to help them catch up, so they organized outreach to families and coordinated 14 school immunization clinics. Seven months later, as a result of their work, 99.8% of the district’s students had received all their back-to-school immunizations or had submitted the appropriate exemption paperwork, significantly improving health and safety in District 196 schools.
For this extraordinary achievement, Langworthy has been named Minnesota’s 2026 Immunization Champion by the Association of Immunization Managers and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).
“Mary Langworthy’s passion for immunization work is rooted in her commitment to protecting student health and ensuring equitable access to preventive care,” said Alecia Hooper, one of the district’s licensed school nurse coaches, who nominated Langworthy for the award. “She approaches this work as an opportunity to partner with families, provide education and remove barriers.”
Langworthy improved district-wide immunization practices to better support students, families and school health staff, ensuring everybody is well-informed and prepared to meet the school immunization requirements. All students and families received clear communication, support and access to necessary resources. All school health staff received ongoing training on how to confidently and effectively support families with empathy and professionalism.
During the 2025-26 school year, the district hosted 14 school immunization clinics that increased access to preventive care and reduced barriers such as scheduling and transportation. These clinics made the immunization process easier for families and facilitated the school district’s success in vaccinating students.
“As we celebrate National Immunization Awareness Month this August, we are proud to honor Mary Langworthy as Minnesota’s 2026 Immunization Champion,” said Jessica Hancock-Allen, director of MDH’s Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division. “Her work reflects innovation, strong cross-sector collaboration and a deep commitment to public health.”
The Immunization Champion Award celebrates the outstanding efforts of health professionals, coalition members, community advocates and other immunization leaders in all 50 U.S. states, eight U.S. territories and the District of Columbia that go above and beyond to ensure immunization access in their communities.
For Langworthy, student health and wellbeing start with immunizations, the critical foundation for safe and healthy school communities. The district’s Health Services team continues to organize school immunization clinics for the 2026-2027 school year.
The Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District is one of Minnesota’s largest school districts. It serves approximately 29,000 students at 35 schools.
Health officials also noted that now is a great time for parents across Minnesota to make sure their children are up to date on their immunizations as the new school year approaches. More information is available on the MDH website under Childcare and K-12 immunization requirements.
-MDH-
Media inquiries:
Amy Barrett
MDH Communications
651-201-4993
Amy.Barrett@state.mn.us
Janet Swiecichowski, EdD, APR
Communications, Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Public Schools
651-423-7775
janet.swiecichowski@district196.org