TB Champion

CTCA TB Champion Award

Established in 2025, the “CTCA TB Champion Award” honors a California practitioner who has championed the treatment, control, and elimination of tuberculosis (TB) in California and the United States. This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional service, commitment, and leadership in the field of TB control.  The recipient has made significant contributions in various areas, which can include:

Partnerships – collaborating with other organizations, agencies, and individuals to enhance TB control efforts, share resources, and achieve common goals.

Policy Development: developing and advocating for policies that support TB control and working to improve access to TB care.

Community Engagement: educating the public about TB, working to reduce stigma associated with TB, and engaging with community partners to improve TB control.

Mentorship: mentoring and training other TB professionals, sharing knowledge and expertise, and inspiring others to work in the field of TB control.

Clinical Practice: providing direct patient care or consultation with providers, developing and implementing innovative treatment protocols, and working to improve patient outcomes and public safety

The recipient of the CTCA TB Champion Award has made a lasting impact on the field of TB control in California, and their work has contributed to improved outcomes, increased awareness, and progress toward the elimination of TB.

Robert Benjamin, MD, MPH, is a dedicated and visionary leader who has made lasting contributions to public health, particularly in the areas of tuberculosis (TB) and communicable disease (CD) both within California and nationally. His work embodies the core principles of partnership, policy development, community engagement, mentorship, and impactful clinical practice.

Dr. Benjamin’s commitment to collaboration has been evident throughout his decades-long service in local public health in California. He has long been active in the California Tuberculosis Controllers Association (CTCA) and the National TB Controllers Association (NTCA). Earlier in his career he established the Bay Area CD Exchange (precursor to the California Association of Communicable Disease Controllers), a vital forum for local Communicable Disease Control staff. This initiative, which he chaired for many years, fostered knowledge sharing, problem-solving, and professional development throughout Northern California. Dr. Benjamin’s thorough documentation of these meetings provided an invaluable resource for the public health community. This work exemplifies his dedication to building capacity and fostering collaboration within the public health workforce.

Instrumental in shaping public health policy at both the state and national levels, as TB Controller for Alameda County, he was an active member of the CTCA, where he spearheaded the development of the CTCA guidance on screening and treatment of TB in patients with chronic kidney disease, hemodialysis, and renal transplantation. Dr. Benjamin’s work with Senator Dianne Feinstein’s office significantly improved TB testing and treatment of immigrants prior to their entry into the US, laying the groundwork for changes in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) policy. He also served on the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Workgroup, advocating for the needs of the public health ID workforce. His leadership was pivotal in the NACCHO Board of Directors’ approval of the policy statement “US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations for Tuberculosis Treatment as Prevention.” Furthermore, his leadership in the California Conference of Local Health Officers (CCLHO) Communicable Disease Control and Prevention Committee led to efforts to tighten regulations for personal belief exemptions for school entry vaccinations, demonstrating his commitment to protecting public health through evidence-based policy.

Dr. Benjamin’s leadership roles include guiding and educating new TB Control staff; he was always only a phone call away for many. He served as President of the CTCA (2001-2002), received the Henry A. Renteln Award, and cultivated the Bay Area CD Exchange as a crucial learning environment, particularly for new CD Control staff, facilitating the discussion of complex cases among seasoned and newer public health professionals.

Dr. Benjamin’s work is grounded in his deep understanding of public health practice. His expertise in both tuberculosis and communicable disease control is evident in his development of guidance documents and his ability to translate research into practical policy recommendations. His insightful contributions to committee discussions highlight his commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous improvement.

Even after his formal “retirement,” Dr. Benjamin has continued to share his expertise, serving as TB Consultant for Sonoma, Solano and other counties as needed, and staying engaged in CTCA, CACDC, and CCLHO meetings. 

In summary, Dr. Robert Benjamin’s multifaceted contributions across partnerships, policy development, community engagement, mentorship, and clinical practice have had a lasting impact on TB control and public health in California and beyond. His dedication, expertise, and collaborative spirit make him a highly deserving recipient of this inaugural TB Champion Award.

Presented on 3/17/25 during the CTCA Spring TB Controllers Meeting