College of Medicine Presents 2026 Community Health Awards
Community Health Awards
The University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria presented the 2026 Community Health Awards during its annual Service Appreciation and Recognition Awards event in June. Initiated in 1995, the awards honor individuals and organizations that promote community health in central Illinois. Annually, UICOMP presents two awards – one to an individual and another to a group or organization.
The 2026 Community Health Award individual winner is Rahmat Na’Allah, MD, professor of clinical family medicine and director of the Family Medicine Obstetrics Fellowship. Dr. Na’Allah was recognized for her exceptional contributions to patient care, medical education, research, and community advocacy. Since joining the faculty in 2009, she has advanced women’s health, maternal-child wellness, and health equity while helping establish the Family Medicine Obstetrics Fellowship and establishing innovative programs such as Centering Pregnancy. A dedicated advocate for healthier communities, she has championed initiatives to improve maternal health, reduce health disparities, and strengthen preventive care. An inspiring educator and mentor, Dr. Na’Allah has earned numerous honors, including Illinois Academy of Family Physicians Physician of the Year and the Arnold P. Gold Humanism in Medicine Award.
The 2026 Community Health Award organization winner is Community Clinic Connect, an outreach of Loaves and Fish Community Ministry. The clinic was honored for its longstanding commitment to improving access to healthcare for underserved residents. For more than 20 years, the free primary care clinic, organized by UICOMP, has brought together medical, nursing, and undergraduate students to work alongside physicians and residents in delivering compassionate, patient-centered care. In addition to providing free clinical services and preventive health screenings, the clinic has become a model of interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and community engagement while helping educate the next generation of healthcare professionals.