YOUR ASSOCIATION
IN MEMORIAM
Tabby Bernardo The National Environmental Health Asso- ciation (NEHA) was saddened to learn of the death of past sta member Tabby Ber- nardo in February 2022. Bernardo—whose full name was Lydia Mae Lilinoe Yuk Ung Choy Bernardo and whose friends called her Tabby—served as executive coordina- tor at NEHA from 1995–2005. She ocially retired from NEHA on December 30, 2005. While at NEHA, Bernardo worked closely with the association’s leadership, including
Editor’s Note: If you would like to share information about the passing of an environmental health professional to be mentioned in a future In Memoriam, please contact Kristen Ruby-Cisneros at kruby@neha.org. The Journal will publish the In Memoriam section twice a year in the June and December issues, or in other issues as determined appropriate. National Environmental Health Association. (2006). NEHA’s exec- utive coordinator leaves big shoes under desk. Journal of Envi- ronmental Health , 68 (8), 56. National Environmental Health Association. (1998). Tabby Ber- nardo—Executive coordinator. Journal of Environmental Health , 61 (4), 40. Before joining NEHA in 1995, Bernardo was in human resources and administration with two Denver oil firms. She served for 14 years before that as director of public relations at St. Francis Hospi- tal in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her journalism degree was from the Uni- versity of Missouri and her master’s in public relations and mass communications was from Syracuse University. She also held an APR (Accredited in Public Relations) credential. For Bernardo, family, friends, her ties to Hawaii, and her church were important to her. As she stated in her sta profile, “On a per- sonal level, I enjoy mah-jongg, travel, quiet walks, the theater, church activities, extolling the virtues of Colorado, visiting with family and friends in Hawaii, and rooting for the Denver Broncos.” We extend our sympathies to the family and friends of Tabby Ber- nardo. She contributed to the organization during her time through her characteristic and unassuming manner of quietly getting the job done with competence and consistency. She will be missed. Sources
the executive director, board of directors, and aliate presidents. She was responsible for a variety of administrative duties, as well as management of board elections, oversight of policy changes, and coordination of the Walter S. Mangold Award. She was a key contact for the presidents of NEHA and was vital in their success. As Ron Grimes, past president of NEHA (2005– 2006), stated, “I knew Tabby before I became an ocer in NEHA. Having known several past presidents personally, I had always heard about this Tabby Bernardo who kept them focused on their job during their term in oce. Until I became an ocer and now president, I did not realize how much of an understatement those comments were.” For her service, Bernardo was the recipient of the NEHA Past Presidents Award in 2005. Bernardo enjoyed collaborating with people and being part of a team. This attitude is apparent in her reflections on her time at NEHA: “The chief joy I experienced was being allowed to meet and get to know a lot of people I normally wouldn’t get to work with, such as NEHA’s members.”
Show the world you are the environmental health expert you know you are with a credential. You might even earn more or get promoted. neha.org/credentials Stand out in the crowd.
39
April 2023 • Journal of Environmental Health
Powered by FlippingBook