Doc charged with involuntary manslaughter in Flint crisis wins top health award

Enlarge / Flint Mayor Karen Weaver called the award "just disrespectful." (credit: Getty | Bill Pugliano)

Health officials in Michigan this week honored Dr. Eden Wells with the state’s top award for an eminent career in public health—despite that Wells is currently facing several charges in connection with the Flint water crisis, including involuntary manslaughter.

On Wednesday, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced that Wells was awarded the Roy R. Manty Distinguished Service Award from the Michigan Association for Local Public Health (MALPH) and the Michigan Public Health Association (MPHA).

The award is described by the two associations as the “highest individual award given by the local public health community.”