YOUR ASSOCIATION
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Join the Fliers Who Soar to Great Heights
D. Gary Brown, DrPH, CIH, RS, DAAS
T he quote by Marty Rubin, “The deep roots never doubt spring will come,” is a reminder even in the season of re- newal that the current season of bloom for the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) is from the environmental health trail blazers who sowed the initial seeds. In this column I want to highlight two groups—the American Academy of Sanitarians (AAS) and the NEHA History Project Task Force—that many associate with the foundation or roots of environmental health. Being around these amazing people reminds me of what Pelé said, “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perse- verance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” I cannot begin to express my gratitude for all the work done by these distinguished groups whose energy is infectious. I have the pleasure and honor of being a member of both organizations where I have gained knowledge, fellowship, friendship, and joy. As Michelangelo said, “I am still learning.” Furthermore, Antoine de Saint- Exupéry stated, “The tree is more than first a seed, then a stem, then a living trunk, and then dead timber. The tree is a slow, endur- ing force straining to win the sky.” If our environmental health pioneers are the roots of the tree, mid-career professionals are the trunk and early career professionals are the leaves. A tree (e.g., NEHA) does not flourish unless all parts of the tree are working to- gether. The bursting petals of the new NEHA logo represent a new era and excitement for what is possible for NEHA and our profes- sion. NEHA shares the idea stated by Eleanor
courage improvement and stimulate public interest in food service sanitation. AAS has supported early career and stu- dent members since its inception. Through a partnership between NEHA and AAS, an- nual educational scholarships are awarded to exceptional undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a career in environmental health. AAS also helps to enhance student ex- periences at the NEHA Annual Educational Conference (AEC) & Exhibition. Becoming a diplomate in AAS denotes a high standard of professionalism with marked distinction and a record of accomplishment in environmental health. It denotes profes- sional status and gives prestige to the holders of the diplomate certification. AAS invites and encourages professionally credentialed envi- ronmental health practitioners with qualities of outstanding competence and leadership to become certified as diplomates. Currently, there are thousands of regis- tered environmental health specialist/reg- istered sanitarian (REHS/RS) professionals, but since the inception of AAS in 1966, only 611 environmental health professionals have been awarded diplomate status. Becoming a diplomate helps you stand out from the crowd, enhancing your career while promot- ing the profession. Join the dierence mak- ers! As Jane Goodall stated, “What you do makes a dierence and you have to decide what kind of dierence you want to make.” To become a member of this prestigious group you must hold an REHS or RS creden- tial, have three reference letters, have at least one published paper, and demonstrate to the
Roosevelt: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” AAS is an organization that elevates stan- dards, improves the practice, advances pro- fessional proficiency, and promotes the high- est levels of ethical conduct in every field of environmental health. Many environmental health professionals do not realize that AAS sponsors the Davis Calvin Wagner Sanitar- ian Award, which is conferred for exceptional leadership ability, professional commitment, outstanding resourcefulness, dedication, and accomplishments in advancing the sanitar- ian profession and public health programs. In addition, AAS is one of the many cospon- sors of the Samuel J. Crumbine Consumer Protection Award (https://crumbineaward. com). The Crumbine Award is a prestigious national award given annually to local envi- ronmental health jurisdictions that demon- strate excellence and continual improvement in a comprehensive food protection program. The purpose of the Crumbine Award is to en- The current season of bloom for NEHA is from the environmental health trail blazers who sowed the initial seeds.
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Volume 85 • Number 7
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