On April 9, 2026, The Carolina Center for Public Service awarded Dr. Leigh F. Callahan, Mary Link Briggs Distinguished Professor of Medicine in the UNC Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology and Associate Director of the Thurston Arthritis Research Center, the 2026 Ned Brooks Award for Public Service. This honor, awarded to one staff or faculty member annually, recognizes distinguished and sustained record of service to Carolina and the larger community. Dr. Callahan’s decades of leadership in osteoarthritis research and public health, and extraordinary ability to translate evidence into accessible, community-based action exemplify the spirit of this award. From leading large-scale community trials across more than 40 North Carolina counties, to directing the Osteoarthritis Action Alliance, her work has created a lasting national framework for arthritis prevention and management.
This award honors the contributions and values of Ned Brooks, who retired after serving the University for more than 35 years, making significant contributions to the mission of service and engagement, including a leadership role in the development of the Carolina Center for Public Service.