NEHA 2026 AEC Wrap-Up
Events
Student Excellence Reception & Career Fair We hosted our 2nd annual Career Fair on Tuesday, August 4, alongside the Stu- dent Excellence Reception. Overall, 11 organizations participated in the Career Fair, connecting students, emerging professionals, and experienced practi- tioners with employment and educational resources. Employers shared informa- tion about job openings and career paths in environmental health, while university representatives highlighted graduate pro- grams for attendees interested in continu- ing their education. Attendees could speak directly with representatives, ask ques- tions, and make professional connections. Students and emerging professionals could also get complimentary professional headshots, a valuable resource as they prepare for the next steps in their careers. The Student Excellence Reception, held immediately following the Career Fair, welcomed over 100 attendees—our larg- est turnout in recent years. The event con- nected students, recent graduates, men- tors, and professionals, and showcased our growing investment in emerging leaders in environmental health. NEHA President Larry Ramdin opened the reception by welcoming attendees and highlighting the association’s ongoing commitment to students and the next generation of environmental health. The reception recognized recipients of the NEHA/AAS Environmental Health Scholarships, representing a joint invest- ment of $14,000 across three outstanding students. We also recognized the winners of our Student Research Competition. Please see the Awards & Scholarships section on page 63 for a listing of these recipients and winners. Networking, door prizes, and conversa- tion tables brought attendees together and encouraged meaningful conversations and connections. The event also honored National Environmental Public Health Internship Program (NEPHIP) alumni travel awardees, celebrating students who completed hands-on environmen- tal public health internships across the nation. NEPHIP also recognized Victoria Hudson from the Orange County Depart- ment of Health as the 2025 NEPHIP Part- ner of the Year for her outstanding dedica- tion to mentoring and supporting interns.
• 3rd Place: Kimberly Burgess, Cheyenne–Laramie County Public Health General Environmental Health • 1st Place: Lisa Whitlock, Retired FDA Retail Food Specialist • 2nd Place: Joseph Austin Addison, Georgia Department of Public Health • 3rd Place: Joe Sarisky, National Park Service Water Quality • 1st Place: Vonia Grabeel, Eastern Kentucky University • 2nd Place: Bob Custard, Monongalia County Health Department • 3rd Place: Matthew Husk, Lincoln– Lancaster County Health Department EH Networking Social: A Night of Kansas City Jazz, BBQ, and Connection at KC Live!
The Student Excellence Reception underscores our enduring mission to cul- tivate a diverse, skilled, and inspired envi- ronmental health workforce—ensuring that today’s students become tomorrow’s leaders in protecting public health. Environmental Health Photo Exhibition & Contest The 4th annual Environmental Health Photo Exhibition & Contest celebrated the creativity and commitment of envi- ronmental health professionals through images that tell the story of their work. The 2026 theme, Environmental Health in View—Seeing What Matters, encour- aged participants to capture the people, places, and issues that demonstrate envi- ronmental health’s impact on our commu- nities. Entries represented four categories: climate and health, food safety, general environmental health, and water quality. The photography exhibition was a pop- ular gathering place during the 2026 AEC, giving attendees an opportunity to explore the images, connect with colleagues, and share perspectives on the environmental health issues behind each photograph. The winning photographs remained on display throughout the conference, show- casing the many ways environmental health professionals see, understand, and protect the world around us. Judges of the photo contest included Jes- sica Barrett from the Douglas County Health Department, Dana Brekhus from the Upper Missouri District Health Unit, Cameron Gar- rison from HS GovTech, and Alicia Nobbe from the Decatur County Health Depart- ment. HS GovTech sponsored this event and generously provided the contest prizes. We thank all who submitted photos for the contest. Congratulations to this year’s winners: Climate and Health • 1st Place: Janine Runfola, Colorado Department of Agriculture • 2nd Place: Candace Berg, Lake Region District Health Unit • 3rd Place: Kelley Dennings, Center for Biological Diversity Food Safety • 1st Place: Natalie Menke, Portage County Health District • 2nd Place: John Mason, Deschutes County, Bend, Oregon
On Wednesday, August 5, attendees gathered at KC Live! for the EH Network- ing Social, an evening designed to bring attendees together in a fun and relaxed environment. Located in the heart of downtown Kansas City’s Power and Light District, KC Live! is a two-level, open-air dining, entertainment, and nightlife block, just a short distance from the AEC venue. NEHA route guides escorted attend- ees to KC Live! in groups, with some taking the complimentary KC Streetcar and others walking. On arrival, attend- ees entered the lively outdoor space and were greeted by NEHA team members ready to welcome them to an evening of networking and entertainment. The venue’s large stage served as a central focal point throughout the eve- ning, with a large screen above the stage displaying colorful AEC graphics. Reflect - ing Kansas City’s rich jazz heritage, the
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Volume 89 • Number 4
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