University of Kentucky College of Public Health (CPH) professor Dr. Steve Browning, MSPH, PhD, has been named the recipient of the prestigious Elbert “Al” Austin Career Achievement Award from the Kentucky Public Health Association (KPHA) in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to public health.
Dr. Browning was surprised to receive the award and recognized the significance of being included with past recipients, such as 2022 awardee Sara Robeson, whom he has long admired.
“I am both surprised and humbled to receive this award,” Dr. Browning said. “It is a recognition of the collective contributions made by the university and CPH to expanding epidemiologic expertise in the state. It is especially gratifying to know that many of our alumni are now in critical roles across local, state, and federal health agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and other vital organizations.”
Dr. Browning’s career has spanned multiple disciplines, from epidemiology to environmental and occupational health. His journey to public health began during an internship at the National Science Foundation in Washington, D.C., where exposure to the field of epidemiology sparked an interest.
“My internship experience convinced me to pursue a master’s in epidemiology at [the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill],” Dr. Browning recalled. “Since then, I’ve felt incredibly fortunate to hold a career that presents both challenges and opportunities to learn from colleagues and students, all while undertaking research and teaching in the field of public health epidemiology.”
Over the years, Dr. Browning has mentored more than 230 graduate students, initially at the College of Medicine and later at the colleges of Nursing and Public Health at the University of Kentucky. He said working with students has been one of the most rewarding aspects of his career.
“I feel energized when I’m in the classroom, especially when learning from students as they explore new areas,” Dr. Browning shared. “Mentorship has always been about building relationships. Watching students grow academically and professionally, and then attending their graduations, makes the hard work worth it.”
Additionally, Dr. Browning’s work with the Central Appalachian Regional Education and Research Center, under the direction of Dr. Wayne Sanderson, has been particularly impactful. The NIOSH-funded training program has supported more than 140 students pursuing education in multidisciplinary fields related to occupational safety and health. Through the field studies course, students have had the chance to visit different types of worksites, including underground coal mines and oil refineries, gaining hands-on experience in learning about a variety of occupational settings.
Among Dr. Browning’s notable research projects is the Mountain Air Project (MAP), which focused on environmental risk factors for asthma and other respiratory conditions in Eastern Kentucky.
“This community-engaged research project, where we interviewed over 900 individuals in Harlan and Letcher counties, was rewarding because it allowed us to involve students in real-world research that focused on several community health concerns,” Dr. Browning explained.
His advice for early career public health professionals is to invest in relationships—mentors, collaborators, and communities.
“Public health is collaborative by nature, and working as part of interdisciplinary teams is often the most impactful way to address complex public health issues,” Dr. Browning said. “Set ambitious goals and don’t shy away from big ideas. Public health thrives on bold visions and the potential for innovation.”
The Elbert “Al” Austin Career Achievement Award is presented annually by the Kentucky Public Health Association to individuals who have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to improving public health. Awardees are recognized for their outstanding contributions to public health research, education, and practice.
The University of Kentucky College of Public Health is undergoing a review by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) for re-accreditation. Part of this process includes the invitation to provide third-party comments. Anyone, including students, alumni, employers, community partners, etc., is allowed to share relevant information about the college directly with CEPH. If you would like to provide input to CEPH to inform their review, send your comments to submissions@ceph.org by May 4th, 2025.
