On June 26th, a longtime Taylorville resident was recognized nationally for her decades of leadership and service in public health.
Lori Younker was awarded the 2026 Hoyt E. Dearholt Distinguished Professional Service Award from the American Lung Association. The honor was presented on Friday, June 26, during a ceremony in Chicago. The award is the highest recognition given to a staff member by the organization and is presented annually to an employee who has made significant and lasting contributions throughout their career.
Younker serves as the Senior Director of the Nationwide Lung Help Line for the American Lung Association and has worked with the organization for more than 35 years. In her role, she oversees a team of 39 and helps lead national programs focused on improving lung health.
Some of the programs include the Lung Help Line, which supports more than 120,000 interactions each year, and the growing Lung Health Navigator program, which provides ongoing support designed to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
Under Younker’s leadership, those programs have expanded through major partnerships and innovative investments. Younker has also helped introduce outreach efforts aimed at increasing lung cancer screening awareness at major public events, and she has helped develop new approaches that integrate COPD screening into tobacco cessation services.
Officials with the American Lung Association say Younker is also widely recognized for her leadership and mentorship, building strong teams and fostering a culture of inclusion, positivity, and shared success. Younker’s ability to connect with staff, develop talent, and inspire collaboration has strengthened the organization’s reach and impact for decades.
The Lung Association says Younker continues to lead with its mission at the forefront, and they are congratulating her on receiving this year’s top professional service award.
For further details on the American Lung Association, visit https://www.lung.org.
Pictured below: Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association (LEFT),
Dr. David Hill, chair of the American Lung Association’s National Board of Directors (MIDDLE)
Lori Younker (RIGHT).
