Catawba County News
Board of Health Award
Published: October 09, 2026
HICKORY – The Association of North Carolina Boards of Health recognized longtime Catawba County Board of Health member and local Pharmacist William “Bill” Pitts III with the 2026 Carl Durham Award for his contributions to public health and his dedication to being an advocate for public health at the local level.
“He has been an advocate for public health and an exceptional leader whose service has strengthened Catawba County Public Health and improved the health of the community. During his nine years of service on the Catawba County Board of Health, including time spent as Board Chair, Bill demonstrated an unwavering commitment to advancing public health through thoughtful leadership, meaningful advocacy, and genuine passion for serving others,” said Catawba County Public Health Director Jennifer McCracken.
Although Pitts’ professional background is in pharmacy, he enthusiastically embraces the broader perspective of public health and understands that improving community health requires collaboration across many sectors, including healthcare, education, local government, schools, business, and community organizations. During his time on the Catawba County Board of Health, his ability to evaluate issues through a public health lens allowed him to provide thoughtful guidance on complex decisions while always prioritizing the wellbeing of Catawba County residents.
Pitts quickly became more than just a Board member; He transformed into one of Catawba County Public Health’s strongest ambassadors. He promoted the value of public health within the community and advocated for the essential services the department provides. Whether speaking with community members, fellow leaders, or partners, Pitts recognized that investing in public health creates healthier families, stronger communities and a better future for all.
Pitts also brought valuable experience from his previous service on Hickory City Schools' Board of Education, providing an important educational perspective during Board of Health discussions. His understanding of the connection between education and health made him a strong advocate for strengthening the role of public health in local schools. He supported efforts to increase access to school nurses and championed the vision of having one nurse in every school to better meet the physical and mental health needs of students. His advocacy reflected his deep belief that healthy children are better equipped to learn, succeed, and thrive. Thanks to his stalwart commitment to healthy youth, every public school in Catawba County’s three school systems is served by a school nurse and our local school systems have significantly better student-to-nurse ratios compared to the overall state average.
Bill remains vocal and passionate in his support of fully funded public health services and access to essential resources, recognizing that strong public health systems require sustained investment.
“What distinguishes Bill most is the passion he developed through his service. He joined the Board believing he could make a meaningful difference in the community, and over the course of nine years, he did exactly that,” said McCracken. “His service transformed him from a dedicated Board member into a respected ambassador for public health whose forward-thinking leadership, collaborative spirit, and unwavering advocacy have left a lasting impact on Catawba County Public Health and the community we serve.”