The American Lung Association has honored Lancaster resident Kevin Stewart with the 2024 Hoyt E. Dearholt Distinguished Professional Service Award at a recent ceremony in Chicago, IL. This national award is the highest accolade given to a staff member by the organization and is awarded annually to an employee who has made significant and lasting contributions throughout their career with the Lung Association.
Stewart serves as the National Director of Environmental Health for Advocacy and Public Policy at the American Lung Association. He leads efforts to inform the public about air pollution, its health effects, sources, and means of control. Since joining the association in 1987, Stewart has advanced from his initial role in environmental and occupational health within a one-county affiliate in Lancaster County to his current national position.
Stewart has been a prominent advocate for healthy air during his 37-year tenure with the organization. He has played a key role in shaping nationwide healthy air programs. "Throughout his 37-year career with the organization, Kevin’s commitment to our mission of championing healthy lungs and ending lung disease for all has been exemplary," said Deb Brown, Chief Mission Officer of the American Lung Association. "His invaluable contributions to raising awareness about indoor and outdoor air quality have been instrumental in our progress."
In his advocacy work, Stewart collaborates with public health and environmental organizations as well as federal agencies on policy and regulatory issues related to indoor and outdoor air quality. He is particularly known for his involvement with the “State of the Air” report, which highlights air pollution challenges and successes across the country each April.
Stewart frequently represents the Lung Association by providing comments and testimony before various governmental agencies on topics such as National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulate matter and ozone, greenhouse gas emission standards for light-duty vehicles, and methane regulations from the oil and gas industry. His expertise spans numerous areas including indoor radon mitigation, outdoor wood boilers regulation, anti-idling measures, school indoor air quality in Pennsylvania, national energy policy, and public awareness about environmental health threats.
Joining the Lung Association when radon was first identified as an environmental hazard in homes—initially discovered in Eastern Pennsylvania—Stewart was an early advocate for radon awareness, testing, and mitigation. He contributed significantly to reducing this public health threat through statewide grant-funded programs aimed at decreasing indoor radon levels.
Kevin Stewart holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Princeton University. He resides in Lancaster, PA with his wife Rose.
