From Council on Chemical Abuse
Pictured above: Marcia Goodman Hinnershitz (center) stands with her award, along with COCA staff members (left to right) Sonia Santiago, Courtney Keith, Jaclyn Steed, Zoe Stankiewicz, Leslie Houck, Teresa Detweiler, and Yvonne Stroman.
The Commonwealth Prevention Alliance recently presented Council on Chemical Abuse Director of Planning & Resource Development Marcia Goodman Hinnershitz with the 2026 Marcopul Award for Legacy in Prevention.
The award was presented last week during the annual Commonwealth Prevention Alliance conference, which hosts prevention professionals from across the state.
This statewide award celebrates Marcia’s substantial contributions to substance use prevention, reflecting the spirit and dedication of the late Maggie Marcopul.
Early in her career, Hinnershitz was mentored by Marcopul for whom the award is named.
Marcia was nominated for the award by COCA Prevention Supervisor Alicia Kline.
“For the past 10 years, I have been fortunate to learn from Marcia. She has generously shared her expertise, her guidance, and her passion for prevention,” Alicia said. “Marcia is not only exceptionally knowledgeable — she is also deeply kind and genuinely committed to strengthening our communities. She consistently operates at the highest level of prevention practice. I am constantly in awe of her ideas, her innovation, and her dedication to delivering the most effective prevention services to communities across Pennsylvania.”
In her nomination, Alicia listed the following among Marcia’s many achievements:
- Served on the CPA Board of Directors from the early 1980s to the 90s.
- Was instrumental in planning and organizing the Tobacco Master Settlement Funds in Berks.
- Started Berks PRIDE, an after-school prevention program that used performing arts (drama and dance) to share prevention messages. Marcia continues to mentor some of the members who are now in their 30s and attributes much of their success to her.
- Involved in the Kutztown University Presidents’ Round Table.
- Helped implement Reading’s Health to Go smart vending machine with Penn State College of Medicine, which dispenses free wellness items. Research on the machine led to a published journal article and presentations at national conferences.
- Provided support and technical assistance in the establishment of several grassroots coalitions, including Kutztown Strong, Brandywine Task Force, and SOS Berks Opioid Coalition.
CPA’s Legacy in Prevention Award is given in memory of Maggie Marcopul, a prevention professional who influenced the prevention field in Pennsylvania for more than three decades. Maggie served as a trainer, board member, officer, and advocate as part of the Pennsylvania Certification Board and the Commonwealth Prevention Alliance. She was instrumental in various legislative and community efforts, significantly contributing to the prevention field’s ethical standards and community care programs.
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