Each year during National Public Health Week opens a new website, the UAB School of Public Health awards one organization, individual or group the Lou Wooster Public Health Hero Award, named in honor of Lou Wooster, a madam during the 19th century in Birmingham. Wooster was a legendary figure, having helped save the city during the cholera epidemic of 1873. Much like Wooster’s unconventional work and passion for helping others, the award celebrates a public health hero whose work makes a difference in the community’s health through atypical means.
The 2025 Lou Wooster Public Health Hero Award has been presented to Black Warrior Riverkeeper opens a new website, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the Black Warrior River and its tributaries. Founded in 2001, the citizen-based membership organization is a proud member of Waterkeeper Alliance. Staff are responsible for patrolling waterways to identify and address pollution problems. Additionally, they work to educate the public and increase awareness of pollution issues.
“We are grateful to Black Warrior Riverkeeper for their clear acknowledgement and understanding of the connections between the public’s health and the health of the Black Warrior watershed,” said Paul C. Erwin, MD, DrPH, Dean of the UAB School of Public Health. “Their contributions are exactly the kind of work that Lou Wooster would have celebrated.”
Charles Scribner, Executive Director of Black Warrior Riverkeeper and UAB alumnus (MPA ’15) said, “Black Warrior Riverkeeper is proud of this unique award, particularly coming from such an invaluable pillar of research and teaching. We have enjoyed many collaborations with students and faculty from the UAB School of Public Health and look forward to future partnerships for the sake of our surrounding communities.”
The school presented Scribner and Black Warrior Riverkeeper leadership with the award on Monday, April 7. Previous award winners include Birmingham United Neighborhoods opens a new website, Cooking Light magazine and Mark Wilson, former Health Officer for Jefferson County.