Nicole Cope, Executive Director at the Missouri Immunization Coalition (MIC), has been nominated for the National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships’ Emerging Leader Award. Nominees for this award have five or fewer years of experience within the immunization field, but they have demonstrated their potential through outstanding service and innovative contributions within their profession during that brief period. 

“I am honored to receive this nomination from an organization committed to preventing the spread of disease through partnerships, collaborations, and immunizations,” said Nicole. “My team at the Missouri Immunization Coalition is dedicated to keeping Missouri healthy by building awareness for vaccines, educating healthcare providers, and advocating for policies that protect all Missourians with the goal of increasing vaccination rates throughout the state.” 

Nicole has taken MIC from a startup amid the pandemic to a fully staffed nonprofit raising vaccine awareness through immunization education, advocacy, promotion, and statewide collaborative partnerships. Under her leadership, MIC has grown to over 300 members and now supports more than 34 health organizations helping them promote immunizations, prevent disease, and protect Missourians. 

Nicole joined the Missouri Immunization Coalition as the Interim Executive Director in September 2020 and became the Executive Director in January 2021. She leads quarterly member meetings and recently led her team through MIC’s second annual statewide immunization conference. 

Before joining the Missouri Immunization Coalition, Nicole was an accomplished leader in the United States Army Medical Corps, where she served for 24 years and earned the rank of First Sergeant. She is the recipient of numerous achievement and exemplary service awards from the Army. Nicole provided critical medical care to service members during her military tenure, spent 12 years as an Army Flight Medic, and was the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of a medical treatment facility at Camp Buehring in Kuwait. 

The Emerging Leader Award will be presented at the 15th annual National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships’ conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota in September. This conference is dedicated to collaboration and partnership to educate communities on immunizations and disease prevention. The Missouri Immunization Coalition’s entire staff will be in attendance.