Environmental Health, 1937-1987: Fifty Years of Professional Development With the National Association of Sanitarians and the National Environmental Health Association. Published in 1987 by the National Environmental Health Association.
CONTENTS
Introductory Statements I Acknowledgements Chapter Page 1. Fifty Years ...................................................... l NAS/NEHA Presidents / Annual Meeting Dates I Locations .............13 Past Presidents Group .............................................25 Constitution and Bylaws ...........................................27 Executive Committee .............................................29 Membership Chart ................................................30 Code of Ethics ...................................................31 Significant Events / Chronological ...................................32 2. Credentialing Registration of Sanitarians .........................................52 Environmental Health Technician ...................................62 Specialty Certification for Hazardous Waste Professionals ...............65 3. Environmental Health Education History .........................................................68 Accreditation of Schools ...........................................74 Scholarships .....................................................76 Students of Environmental Health ...................................79 Epsilon Nu Eta Honorary Society ...................................83 4. Continuing Education History .........................................................84 NEHA's Self-Paced Learning Modules ...............................87 5. The Sanitarian I Journal of Environmental Health (Official Publication) ............................................. 91 6. Awards Honorary Membership ............................................93 Walter S. Mangold Award .........................................94 Walter F. Snyder Award ..........................................96 A. Harry Bliss Editors' Award .....................................97 Certificates of Merit ..............................................98 Past Presidents' Award ............................................26 Davis Calvin Wagner Award ...................................... 112 Hancor Award ...................................................98 Food Industry Sanitarian Award ....................................98 Previously Given Awards ..........................................98 7. Women in Environmental Health ................................. 100 8. Industry and the National Association Historical Role .................................................. 103 Industry Affiliate ................................................104 Present and Future Philosophy .....................................106 The National Sanitation Foundation.................................108 9. The American Academy of Sanitarians ............................ 110 10. One Organization for All Sanitarians? ............................. 113
It is truly an honor to be serving as President of the National Environmental Health Association as we celebrate our first fifty years. NEHA has faced many challenges over the last fifty years, and I am happy to report that NEHA is stronger because of its history and is ready to aggressively face the environmental health challenge in the future. On behalf of the entire Association, I sincerely want to express our appreciation to the many dedicated people involved in putting together this impressive, professionally done, history of NEHA's first fifty years. With the recent accomplishments of NEHA and the positive attitude exhibited within the leadership of our Association, this is truly a pivot point in the history of our Association. Speaking for the past-presidents of the National Association of Sanitarians and the National Environmental Health Association, I say to all the future leaders of environmen tal health, "View this document as a record of our proud history and learn from our past achievements and mistakes to guide our profession as we face the changing environmental health issues in the next fifty years, continuing to improve the quality of life for all mankind."
George A. Morris, President NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION
Different people look at NEHA's history of 50 years and see different things. For some, NEHA has been a story of some amazingly dedicated people. For others, it has served as an ever-developing continuum of learning and/or fellowship opportunities. For still others, NEHA has offered recognition, whether by conference presentation, published manuscript or special award. In my view, these all rerresent worthy and valid assessments, but to a one, all miss a significant reason for the association's existence. In short, in the absence of a profes sional society, there can be no profession! It is a professional society which both nutures and sustains a profession. Moreover it is a professional society that serves to crystalize a collective vision of the profession's future. As a former theology professor of mine once remarked, a cup of coffee without the cup has no purpose, meaning or value. In other words, content without form, substance without structure equals nothing. So too, a profession without a professional society. The seeds of environmental health can be traced back to the Minoan culture in 1600 B.C. For those who enjoy "history," it was the ancient Minoans who were credited with pioneering drainage systems, water closets and water flushing systems. Notions of personal hygiene and cleanliness were rooted deeply enough in the Greek and Roman civilizations to give rise to the great public works projects we all read about which involved safe water supplies, drains and street gutters, and even garbage removal. The unfolding of the environmental health story took a backward turn with the dawn of the Christian era and through the middle ages. In rejection of the paganism of Rome, a "mortification of the flesh" sense prevailed. Notions of personal hygiene and sanita tion were utterly disregarded. Not surprisingly, concurrent with the accumulation of body waste around dwellings and in communities, were epidemics of cholera, typhoid, dysenteries, and of course, the plague which was responsible for 25 million deaths in one seige alone in the mid fourteenth century. It is more than interesting that with AIDS in mind, the conventional wisdom in the middle ages held that disease represented punish ment for sin. As the Renaissance and Age of Reason began to take hold with changing views on the dignity of man, the entrenched fatalism of previous centuries gave way to notions that we could actually influence our destiny. From these circumstances, it was possible for some of the great names in the early days of public health to appear - Farr, Chadwick, Shattuck. An actual base of knowledge tested repeatedly using the scientific method began to appear. Control of environmental pollution was shown to lead to reductions in many of the dreaded com municable diseases of the day.
It was against this backdrop that governmental bodies soon created the first boards of health. It was also with the mission of sanitation clearly in mind that communities
began to hire inspectors to ensure that sanitation ordinances were properly enforced. In England and much later in the United States, these workers organized themselves into bodies (professional societies) that served to give form and vision to a new "profession." With the formation of the Sanitary Inspectors Association in England, the National Association of Sanitarians (NEHA) in the United States, and similar such organizations in other countries, the story of environmental health had finally reached the point of joining form with substance. An organized body of specialized knowledge had developed and was constantly put to use (practiced) by an organized group. The seeds of environ mental health had sprouted to give growth to a new profession. It has been written that to be a profession certain factors must be present. Those factors include, but are not limited to, such things as a set of specialized knowledge, an identifiable group, a means for advancing practitioners of the profession, and an ability to publish findings. To have these factors, a professional society must exist. In the broad and ever-growing field of environmental health, the National Environmental Health Association has, for 50 years, served as the support system for practitioners in this field. What follows is an archival account of the association. The archives project creates a record of the major events that have occurred over the association's history. It offers some insight into what the association has done to support the growth and development of the profession. Having the honor of being the Association's Executive Director at this special time, it is indeed a pleasure to present this document to you. As you study the progress of the association, may you feel the honor of being a member of a profession that has its roots in antiquity and its present expression through your professional society.
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Nelson E. Fabian NEHA Executive Director
The TV miniseries, "Roots," stimulated many individuals to initiate or continue geneological pursuits. Likewise, many professional organizations are delving into their beginnings and histories as they celebrate various anniversaries. This is true of the National Association of Sanitarians / National Environmental Health Association. The rich heritage of many devoted professionals is reviewed in compiling the trials, tribula tions, achievements and plans for the future in this history published in celebration of the 50th anniversary. No monumental task of this type is accomplished by one or even a few people. Early issues of the Journal reported activities of the Association in the thirties and forties. In 1967, Dr. W.W. Sampson published "The History of the NAS - Being a Semi Chronicle Account of Its Aspirations, Activities, and Accomplishments.'' President Harry Steigman in 19 7 9 appointed William G. Walter as Archivist of the Association. Realizing that the 50th Anniversary was approaching, President Joseph Walsh named a committee of past presidents to prepare a 50 year history of the NAS/NEHA. The committee members were A. Harry Bliss, William A. Broadway, Trenton G. Davis, Boyd T. Marsh, and William G. Walter, chairman. In 1 9 86, President George Morris named John G. Todd to replace the late Dr. Bliss. In addition to the committee, many other persons have contributed by furnishing information or pictures, or more importantly, in some cases writing or contributing to the writing of certain chapters. As indicated by chapter numbers in parentheses, some of the major contributors are V. Harry Adrounie (l); Creg Bishop (3); Dora May Coleman (8); Trenton G. Davis (3); Diane Eastman (2); Nelson Fabian (1, 2, 8); Maryann Faw (2); David E. Hartley (8); Jack Hatlen (3); Terry Johnson (2); Boyd T. Marsh (l); Nina I. McClelland (8); Monroe T. Morgan (3); Richard L. Roberts (4); Vince Sikora (3); Sam Stephenson (2); John G. Todd (10); Karen Van Dusen (7); G.A. "Joe" Verrone (9); Joseph W. Walsh (l); and Melvin W. Wilkey (1). Particular appreciation is extended to Mark C. Nottingham, a longtime supporter of our Association, for his financial contributions which have been vital to the prepara tion of this publication. As Archivist and Chairman of the Committee charged with preparing this 50 Year History, I cannot overemphasize the prominent role that Ida F. Marshall has played. Despite her responsibilities as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal ofEnvironmental Health she has overcome many obstacles and frustrations so this book would be available for the Annual Educational Conference at San Diego. Be assured that she has served far and above her primary obligation to our Association. Our Committee will be most pleased to receive information regarding omissions or discrepancies that will improve future editions as well as pictures, artifacts and other articles for displays and possibly an Association Museum. ....
William G. Walter Archivist
FOREWORD
The National Environmental Health Association is celebrating 50 Years of Profes sional Development at the 1987 Annual Educational Conference in San Diego, Califor nia, June 13-18. In 1980, Dr. William G. Walter was appointed by NEHA President, Harry Steigman, as the Association's Archivist. During the years since then, Dr. Walter has taped interviews with numerous people who have been instrumental in develop ment of the organization and the professionalism of environmental health personnel. He was appointed by 1985-86 NEHA President, Joseph Walsh to chair the Archives Committee charged with preparing a 50 Year History for publication prior to the 1987 Annual Meeting (50th Anniversary). Extensive study of the several histories of the association that have been published, the interview transcriptions, and the publications, The Sanitarian and the Journal of Environmental Health from July 1938 until the present were used to complete the assign ment. People who were instrumental in several important aspects of the association were invited to prepare historical documents on those aspects. Some discrepancies and dilemmas were presented to the researchers in compiling facts and relating them to pesonalities involved through the years. It became evident that a complete and accurate hisory of the association could consume much more time and effort than were allotted to prepare the 50 Year History; however, with materials at hand, the authors have compiled this document in good faith that it be a fairly accurate record of what has taken place. Some statements may be challenged, and that is expected. The NEHA will welcome any documentation that will set straight any facts that have not been reported exactly as they happened.
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NEHA Archives Committee: William G. Walter, Ph.D. Chairman William A. Broadway Trenton G. Davis, Dr. P.H. Boyd T. Marsh John G. Todd, Dr. P.H. A.Harry Bliss, Dr. P.A. (deceased)
Chapter 1 50 YEARS
As the National Environmental Health Association celebrates 50 Years of Profes sional Development, it is appropriate to take a look back at how professionalism in environmental health evolved, who the players were, and how they brought us to where we are today. In researching the records, interviewing some of the people who were key players throughout the years, and conjuring up in our own minds what took place, the writers have come to the realization that initiative, hard work, and a dogged deter mination to render the Sanitarian a professional were characteristics of the personalities that have brought us through the first fifty years. It is evident that those same characteristics will be needed to continue the upward movement of professionals in environmental health and to achieve the recognition by the public and elected officials that this professional group so richly deserves.
ROOTS
The roots - the very beginnings - of what is now the National Environmental Health Association are anchored in the first California Association of Sanitarians which was formed in 1930. As early as the year 1925, there was talk of forming an association, but, according to a History of the National Association of Sanitarians by Floyd Jimison (The Sanitarian, September/October 1946), this is how it all began: At a meeting of the California League of Municipalities' Health Officers Section, Harold A. Young, Director of the Bureau of Sanitation, Los Angeles County Health Department and Franklin D. Sweger, Director of the Bureau of Housing and Sanitation, Los Angeles City Health Department began talking about whether the sanitation inspectors should have a place in the League or an association of their own. Discussions that followed with sanitary inspectors in their respective departments, and in joint meetings of the two departments, led to the drafting of a constitution and bylaws and a meeting on March 1, 1930 in Patriotic Hall in Los Angeles. All inspec tors of the 10 cities and eight counties of Southern California (south of San Luis Obispo) and seven or eight of the state inspectors of the various branches were invited to the meeting. More than 150 attended. A vote of the people at that meeting created the organization known as the California Association of Sanitarians. Harold Young sug gested the name ''Sanitarians'' to get away from the tile of inspector. Sometime later, Ben Freedman, M.D. explained that this was not a new word, but it was the first time it was used in public health. At the first meeting, J.H. McDermott of the Los Angeles County Health Department was elected president, but after three meetings, it was discovered that the election and appointment of committees had not been done in accordance with the constitution and bylaws, so another election was held and Harold Young elected president. Late in 1930, the association began discussing the question of presenting to the state legislature bills for establishing the educational standards and certificates of registra tion for Sanitation Officers in public health departments. In 1931, two Senate Bills were introduced and passed in the senate but killed in the Assembly. In reporting the activity, Walter Mangold wrote in the first issue of the old California Sanitarian (June 12, 1931): "The World Watches Us" "After retreating from Sacramento in good order with our colors still flying, it was like food to the hungry to receive a few words of encouragement from two of the country's foremost leaders in public health. Your editor (Mangold) had the good
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fortune of meeting Dr. John A. Ferrell, associate director of the Rockefeller Founda tion, international health division, and discussing with him the merits of the two bills.
"Dr. Ferrell expressed the opinion that we were 15 years ahead of the rest of the country and that we should keep at it, for eventually victory is sure to come our way.''
The article continued that Mangold had talked with Dr. Ira V. Hiscock of Yale Univer ity who was on the APHA Committee of Administrative Practice. Hiscock had also encouraged the California Sanitarians to continue to introduce bills to the legislature. They did in both 1933 and 1935 but were still unsuccessful. Then began the long hard truggle. At first, according to Jimison, little attention was paid to the Sanitarians; they were considered a harmless group and given a pat on the back by officials who thought they would not last long. But, when they started those bills and came so near getting them through, some public health officials began opposing the organization, stating that they were a "bunch of radicals." Many of the original members of the group would recall the trials and disappointments encountered. "Progressive sanitarians," said Jimison, "felt a keen need of training, and the need for an opportunity to discuss their problems with other sanitarians." Meetings were held in various cities of Southern California during the six years following formation of the association. The meetings were mostly of an educational nature, where members and outside speakers presented papers on public health education. From 1928 to 1941 inclusive, the University of Southern California held a one week Institute of Government, and sanitarians saw the opportunity for education in the program. Southern California members of the National Association of Sanitarians inaugurated a section for sanitarians in this institute in June 1938. These were the first in-service training courses for sanitarians and the sanitarians were granted leaves to attend. The Institute was discontinued due to World War II. In the summer of 1936, a special training course for sanitarians was given at the University of California in Berkeley in conjunction with Stanford University and the California Agricultural School at Davis. Forty-five sanitarians from the nine western states and Hawaii took the course; many who were not members of the California associa tion then joined. The Association had been in existence seven years and had accomplished some of its objectives, when, because of the many inquiries received from all over the country and the increase in membership from outside the state, it was the consensus that a national organization could accomplish much more than one restricted to one state. s s
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION - 1937
At a meeting in Long Beach, California on June 25, 1937, therefore, the organiza tion known as the California Association of Sanitarians was changed by resolution to the National Association of Sanitarians. It was incorporated on November 5, 1937 under the laws of the State of California. Herbert A. Jewett of the Los Angeles County Health Department was its first president. THUS we begin the 50 Years of the National Association.
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PURPOSE
''The purpose of the National Association ofSanitarians (June 1938 The Sanitarian) was to promote the welfare of sanitarians engaged in public health inspection or in allied occupations and to professionalize their status; to foster and promote high stan dards of attainment in their work and of qualifications for engaging therein; to strive for their recognition as a scientific group by public and official sources, rendering a governmental service for the general welfare of the public; to bring about harmonious and cooperative effort for better understanding and more efficient rendering of their duties and responsibilities; to bring about standardization in methods of law enforce ment and general public health practices in their respective fields; to encourage the establishment of courses of instruction and schools of training for the purpose of increasing the knowledge and efficiency of its members for their usefulness in public health work; to encourage reciprocal cooperation of the various branches and depart ments of government in activities directed toward the improvement of public health; to cultivate social intercourse among its members; and to establish a central point of reference for its members. "
SLOGAN AND SYMBOL
The slogan, "Sanitation - the Beacon Light of Public Health," was adopted in 1932, and the emblem (a shield with a beacon in the center) was adopted December 11, 1937 at the first annual meeting of the National Association of Sanitarians in San Luis Obispo.
OFF AND RUNNING
The Association planned to publish a journal, establish sections throughout the country, issue technical publications on specific subjects, and create a library and information bureau for use by members without charge.
Active membership was open to any sanitarian permanently employed by any whole time health service in the United States or its territories.
The national journal entitled The Sanitarian was begun in June 1938 with Walter S. Mangold as editor and William L. Nunes as business manager. A technical publication, "Sanitization of the Drink ing Glass," was also published in June 1938. The first two sections - the Northern California and Southern California Sections - were formally approved on January 13, 1940. The association was off and running. The stage was set for the work to be done toward professionalization of the Sanitarian, as well as other job categories in environmental health, during the 50 years 1937-1987.
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REGISTRATION AS A TOOL
Although the Association began screening members' credentials and issuing certificates of Registration in 1940, the goal was a state legislated Registration for Sanitarians which would be a documentation of knowledge and competency of this group of workers.
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The goal did not die with the unsuccessful attempts at getting a· registration act in Califor nia in the 1930's. Work continued on the project, with Roscoe Davis, Franklin Sweger, and others drafting and promoting the proposed legislation to influential persons. Although New Jersey had licensed health inspectors since 1912, California's Regi stration Act for Sanitarians, which was finally passed in 1945, was the nation's first Registration Act for Sanitarians. Standards were set and an examination required. This paved the way for rapid strides toward professionalism during the next 20 years.
THE IMPETUS
One of the key players in developing the professional in environmental health was Walter S. Mangold who when he started work as a district sanitary inspector for the Los Angeles County Health Department in 1931 began his lifelong work of elevating the sanitarian through training and education. At the first Mangold Banquet held by the California Association of Sanitarians in 1962, Malcolm H. Merrill, M.D., director of the California Department of Health said that Walter Mangold was appalled that most of the men in the field in 1931 were untrained political appointees who were called sanitary inspectors and who thought of their work as law enforcement only. Dr. Merrill said he had seen what a great influence one man can exert and that he had seen Mangold introduce the sanitarian to the total public health arena, develop standards for the profession, change the status and raise the morale of sanitarians, set up a basic training program of college curricula for sanitarians, and organize and systematize a chaotic field so that it had a solid basis for the almost unbelievable expansion of the field of environmental health that was just beginning to be seen (in 1962). Walter Mangold developed training courses for sanitary inspectors in Los Angeles, where he was imbued with the potentialities and responsibilities of the sanitarian in public health. Mangold's work was recognized by Dr. Karl F. Meyer, director of the Hooper Foundation for Medical Research in San Francisco, who invited Mangold to organize and supervise a formal training course for sanitarians at the University of California at Berkeley in 1937. Enter another actor - In 1936, A. Harry Bliss had become Alameda County's first sanitary inspector, and as a result took the first course available at Berkeley under Pro fessor Mangold. Bliss told Dr. William Walter in 1984 that Mangold took an interest in him and together they tried to broaden the concepts of sanitation. Then, when Bliss returned from World War II military service, Mangold invited him to become the third member of his staff at Berkeley and help develop a bachelor's degree program in sanita tion. Others on the team were Dr. W.W. Sampson, an entomologist, and J.H. Skillin from Spokane, Washington. "Walter Mangold," said Harry Bliss, "was convinced that a bachelor's degree in sanitation was a necessity. Walter worked most of his life for the sanitarian and did a tremendous amount of work in the evolution from the sanitary inspector to sanitarian: He was the person to take the inspector in the health department and make him a public health sanitarian...through education. That took some doing, and he did it; it was a real accomplishment.''
Harry Bliss was not destined to stay at the Berkeley campus, for he was shortly selected to go to UCLA to develop a special curriculum for sanitarians. Soon after, he convinced
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5 UCLA that a bachelor's degree in Environmental Health was needed. He told Dr. William Walter in a 1984 interview, "I broke from sanitation to environmental health as soon as I could.'' Bliss was never one to be content with the status quo and through the years took delight in posing controversial ideas for reactions and actions. He was probably responsible for the change from the concept of sanitation to the total concept of environmental health. He was also a leader in the movement to change the name of the association and its publication. When Bliss returned to the Berkeley campus after 13 years at UCLA, and even after his retirement in 1971, he was �ought as an advisor for new environmental health programs that were developing in the state university systems. Bliss was an almost constant consultant to the National Association and com pleted nearly 40 years of work in some capacity on the Journal in 1977. Through his editorials in the Journal and his presence at numerous meetings, he managed to keep the pot stirred and the discussions going on the title "Sanitarian" and the inclusion of all professionals in environmental health under the wing of NEHA. If Walter Mangold and Harry Bliss were cast as stars in the professionalism of environmental health workers, there were many supporting actors who kept the associa tion moving and growing as an instrument for reaching the professionalism goal. It would be impossible to list the names of all who were mentioned in the publica tions through all the 50 years. Energetic individuals, as officers and committee members, have managed and manipulated the evolution of the organization's structure. Career professionals have fostered the Registration of Sanitarians. Educators have built strong programs and inspired others through education. And, in a strong supporting role, which even reached for star billing, have been the performances of the individuals who have been responsible for managing the association's acitivities. Gleaned from the pages of The Sanitarian, we find the following persons in Los Angeles who handled the myriad details of association operation during the first 20 years: Secretary Charles G. Kahlert (1938-1940); Secretary Jack Raymond (1941-1942); Secretary Marvin Selover (1942-1943); Executive Secretary Floyd Jimison (March 1943-October 1944); Executive Secretary H.H. McMillan (November 1944-July 1946); and Executive Secretary Roscoe Davis (July 1946-November 1956). After the headquarters was moved to Denver, Colorado in January 1957, much leader ship has been provided by the full time executive. Those whose hard work and diligence have raised the status of environmental health professionals are Nicholas Pohlit, Execu tive Secretary 1957-1966, Executive Director 1966-1977; Dennis Sanford, Acting Executive Director, April-September 1977; Dr. Lawrence J. Krone, Executive Direc tor, September 1977-August 1982; Ida Frances Marshall, Acting Administrator, August 1982-May 1983; and Nelson E. Fabian, Executive Director, May 1983-. •
1946 - 1956
During the 10 years that Roscoe Davis served as the Association's Executive Secretary, there were many accomplishments. He had been a zealous worker for the California State Sanitarian Registration Act which became effective September 15, 1945 and he helped further the association's goal of state registration acts throughout the nation. Even so, the National Association maintained an active registration program of its own, and officers of the national and its affiliates were required to be registered members.
During this 10 years, 23 petitions to affiliate as sections of the National Association were received and approved, and the membership grew from 275 to nearly 2000.
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In 1952, Davis recommended that for associationpurposes the United States be divided into nine districts or regions to be represented by the then Directors at Large. He further recommended that the term "Directors at Large" be changed to "Regional Vice Presidents." The recommendation was adopted in 1956 and soon after that the 10th District comprised of Hawaii and surrounding off-shore islands was added. Davis represented the Association well and helped bring about mutual understanding among various public health groups including the Municipal Public Health Engineers and the American Public Health Association. Conducting the affairs of the Association was a full time job, in addition to his regular position with the State of California. ''He devoted every moment of his personal time to it,'' according to a report published at the time of his death (March/April 1964 Journal ofEnvironmental Health). Under his leadership, the organization became national in scope, and international relations reached a peak when the International Federation of Sanitarians' Organizations became a reality in 1957 at the time of the NAS Annual Meeting in Seattle. Roscoe Davis was appointed to the International Committee when he stepped down as Executive Secretary in July 1956, in order to follow through on organizational details that were underway. Represen tatives of the Canadian Ministry of Health, World Health Organization and the Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service attended the organizational meeting in Seattle, where the principal luncheon speaker was Dr. Brock Chisholm, former director general of the World Health Organization. .. As more and more states became affiliated and the responsibilities to the members extended nationwide with the need for support in achieving state registration acts, a need became apparent for a full time paid executive secretary. And, to achieve the goals of the association more members were needed. The necessity for educational and pro fessional standards had to be broadcast. Clearly the time had come to move the national office to a more centrally located city and to employ a full time administrator. The move was approved by the Board of Directors at the 20th Annual Meeting held in Chicago, Illinois. During that meeting also, several candidates were interviewed for the position and Nicholas Pohlit, a sanitarian employed by the Tri-County District Health Department, Aurora, Colorado, and president of the Colorado Affiliate was hired to be executive secretary and managing editor of The Sanitarian. Funds were critically short at the time the Denver office was established and Pohlit was not assured his salary would be paid. He took a risk in accepting the position, but with full time effort in promoting the association and its goals, membership began to pick up rapidly. Within a year, more than 350 members had been added to the roster of 2000. According to the 30 Year History, 1937-1967by W.W. Sampson, the changes that became evident in early 1957 seemed to have an exhilarating effect. Plans were made for many activities, and the officers and members became more involved both inside and outside the organization. The flood of ideas and projects encompassed more than the previous decades put together. Sampson said this was natural with new members coming in to provide additional ideas and fresh aid. He said it was also a reflection on the new needs to be met and new problems to be solved. There have been many ideas and plans since then that have fizzled, among the many that have succeeded. Con siderable time and effort have been spent by members on projects that have not come to fruition. Much more time and effort, perhaps, have been spent on successful endeavors that have, indeed, improved the image and status of environmental health professionals, be they called sanitarian, environmental health specialist, or a rose by another name. ..
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1957 - 1977
The services of a full time, paid executive secretary were sorely needed, proved to be valuable, and were the means to achieve professionalism of environmental health practitioners. Over the 20 years 1957-1977, the Association had major input into the development and implementation of the nation's environmental health program and succeeded in pro jecting a significant role that the environmental health professional could play on the public health stage. During this period, Registration Acts were passed and implemented in a majority of states, fulfilling one of the major goals of the organization. Because of the insistence of Nick Pohlit, the Sanitarian category was included in the Allied Health Professions Personnel Training Act, making it possible for $7 million to be made available to colleges and universities that wanted to build curricula in environmental health sciences. Also, this was a time for building relationships with other organizations such as the American Medical Association, American Hospital Association, American Public Health Association, National Health Council, National Restaurant Association, and with numerous industries and industry associations and federal agencies. By 1961, the membership more than doubled that reported in 1956, and by 1965, there were 5000 members in the Association. Increased revenue and visibility resulting from the larger membership led the way to increased activity, more educational efforts, including regional conferences and various types of workshops. The annual educational conferences featured well-known scientists and prominent political figures. The exper tise of NAS members was recognized and respected by federal agencies and many were called to consult on technical and policy discussions. The horizon was expanding. In 1958, NAS President Franklin Fiske attended a National Conference on Air Pollution in Washington, D.C. After the meeting he said that air pollution was an environmental health problem which should be recognized by sanitarians as a growing concern for most urban and rural areas. "As environmental health specialists, sanitarians need to be informed so they can get involved.'' That was a beginning of involvment in a multitude of scientific areas that is continuing to grow through the 1980's. The input into federal legislation and its implementation, recognition of the environmental health sanitarian as a professional and as an administrator, manager and educator...all this and much more were accomplished between 1957 and 1977. Significant to the expanding horizon of the Association was the move to revamp the image through changing the name of the association's publication and subsequently to match it with a new name for the association that would embrace all environmental health professionals. The subtitles on the publication evolved from ''A Journal of Sanitary Technology" to "A Journal of Sanitary Science" to "A Journal of Environmental Health.'' Finally the real title, The Sanitarian, was dropped in favor of the last subtitle, Journal ofEnvironmental Health which became the real title with the July/August 1962 issue. Interestingly, it was Volume 25, Number 1. Discussions on a name change for the association took place for several years with polls of the members resulting in a status quo. .
Finally, members were given several choices and through a mail ballot chose the
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name National Environmental Health Association which was made effective January 1, 1970. Soon after the name change, Association leaders recognized that even though the name embraced all of environmental health, the bylaws restricted active member ship to only those individuals who had bachelor's degrees. Even people who were registered sanitarians in states where the registration act did not require a bachelor's degree were relegated to an "Associate" non-voting status. To expand the opportunities for active membership to everyone who was employed full time in environmental health work, a bylaws change had to be made. This was approved by the Board of Directors in 1973 and placed on the 1974 mail ballot by which it was adopted. The door was again opened to all who work in environmental health or teach, as it was when the association began. The progressively restrictive requirements which had been imposed earlier had been designed to improve the professional posture but had at the same time precluded many worthy members from active status. During the 20 years 1957-1977, development of a college curriculum specifically for environmental health rather than public health was in the forefront of Association activity. Entire conferences were developed to discuss and formulate the requirements for environmental health education. Not only were programs developed, but the National Accreditation Council for Environmental Health Curricula was spawned to set standards by which to measure the new educational programs. An Internship Council was estab lished to ensure that graduates were schooled in field practice; the Residency Council was established to provide for specialization in hospital and management positions. Students, as the future of environmental health, enjoyed a commanding position, par ticularly during the 1970's when enrollments were burgeoning and the Student National Environmental Health Association boasted a total of 1,000 members on 50 campuses. Not only in the years between 1957 and 1977, but since the beginning of the National Association and to the present, the annual meeting (Annual Educational Conference) has been one of the most important functions of the organization. Not only is the annual conference one of the focal points of the office staff and Executive Director, but it is the one place where individuals devolve into an Association. They come to the annual conference not only for education but for the ail important feeling of being a profes sional and belonging to their professional organization. This is the avenue of access to others who share their responsibilities, concerns and problems, and to noted experts in special technology. The educational sessions can bring a professional up to date in a scientific or political subject, but the hallway sessions are inherently valuable in learning from peers how to solve an on-the-job problem, and social activities the catalyst to lasting friendships. Annual meetings are a sort of bringing it all together, and they have been reported in the association's publications from the beginning as one of the most important aspects of membership. Each one appears to have had some unique aspect - an entertainment feature, a famous speaker, a theme, or a concurrence with another event. Even a food borne outbreak can be the point of remembering! Each is said to have been the best ever. The 1939 meeting was held in Oakland, California at the time of the San Fran cisco World's Fair. In 1957 the International Federation of Sanitarians Organizations was formed with Canadians journeying to Seattle for the event. In 1957, the week of the conference was declared National Sanitation Week by United States President, Dwight D. Eisenhower as it was the following year. The first Awards Luncheon was held in 1961.
Astronauts Alan Sheppard and Edward Gibson appeared as speakers in 1973 and
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1974. United States Congressmen who have been keynote speakers include Senators Gaylord Nelson, Ralph Yarborough, Hugh Scott, Peter Dominick, Lowell Weicker, Gordon Allott, Jennings Randolph and Birch Bayh. Leaders from the U.S. Depart ment of Health, Education and Welfare and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have been heard, as have noted people in the environmental and public health arenas. While many milestones had been reached during the second 20 years of the National Association of Sanitarians / National Environmental Health Association, much still remained to be done when Niyholas Pohlit relinquished the Executive Director posi tion in 1977. Professional recognition for sanitarians outside the organization and workplace had eluded the sanitarians, and there was the ever-present need to strengthen the profession and organization as a force in environmental health. ..
ASSESSING THE PROFESSION
Recognizing the multitude of new environmental concerns and technologies and the fact that many of those in the workforce had not had adequate access to continuing education, the National Environmental Health Association believed that environmental health manpower should be assessed. In 1975, the Association sought and received funding from the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare's Bureau of Health Professions to study the roles and functions of sanitarians and to assess their knowledges, skills and attributes in fulfill ing these roles and functions. Dr. Lawrence J. Krone, a professor at Oregon State University, was employed to manage the manpower assessment project in January 1976. The one year project was conducted using existing literature and it was believed the information should be verified by first hand identification. Another contract was procured to do the verification. After the roles were verified and a document, "The Sanitarian in Environmental Health," published, the Associa tion set about on a further project in which sanitarians nationwide would be asked to participate in a self-assessment to identify any areas in which continuing education was needed. The self-assessment identified a number of areas, and yet another contract was obtained to produce materials that would help persons practicing in environmental health to improve their knowledges and skills. The outcome of this project was the 14 Self Paced Learning Modules that were completed in 1982 and which have been obtained for use by local health and environmental agencies and many individuals.
1977 - 1987
When Nicholas Pohlit left the association in 1977, Dr. Lawrence Krone, who was project manager for the manpower evaluation project, was chosen to be the NEHA Executive Director. The continuity of a leader from the profession and one who was familiar with the operation was of great benefit at this time of change following the long tenure of the previous executive director. As Executive Director, Krone stressed the professional development of the environmental health practitioner through organiza tion involvement, continuing education and liaison with other organizations such as the National Water Well Association, American Medical Association and American Public Health Association.
In addition to the contract from the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, NEHA earned a leading role in a project to develop fact sheets for developing
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countries. As a sub-contractor for the Institute for Rural Water in Washington, D.C., the project was completed for the U.S.' Agency for International Development.
In the 1978-82 time period, the NEHA also received funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to provide on-site wastewater workshops in each of EPA's regions and for water supply training in Utah. And, the NEHA On-Site Wastewater Committee prepared the 1979 State of the Art Manual for On-Site Wastewater Management. Funding from Mark Nottingham of California enabled NEHA to print this useful field tool which has been sold to many thousands of environmental health professionals. In addition, NEHA was requested by the Indian Health Service, USPHS to review several of its area office programs with the goal of improving the environment of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Educational materials for elementary education in environmental health were developed under funds from the Colorado Employment and Training Act. The Ecopiggy program was used in the Denver Public Schools and several other educational districts in the country. One of the features of all these projects was that they involved members of NEHA in every facet - the manpower evaluation, preparation of the self-paced learning modules, the AID Factsheets, The Indian Health Reviews, the Onsite Wastewater and Water Supply workshops and the elementary education materials. With the completion of the federally funded projects, and having a personal desire to get back into the field of environmental health, Dr. Lawrence Krone resigned his position as NEHA Executive Director to become Director of Environmental Health for the State of Delaware. Other factors in his decision included a declining member ship and lack of funds. The association appeared to be at the bottom of the proverbial barrel, even though during Krone's tenure much had been accomplished that would be of benefit to the association for years to come. With the economic situation as it was, NEHA's Executive Committee, chaired by President Trenton G. Davis, sought the assistance of long time staff member, Ida Frances Marshall, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Environmental Health in maintaining the association during the projected four month search for a new executive director. As it happened, the duration was 10 months, and a stressful time. According to Marshall, "Here we were with an entire room full of newly printed Self-Paced Learning Modules and no final marketing plan. We jumped right in and in spite of reduced office space and a staff of only four full time and one part time, we worked full tilt.'' Encourage ment from the entire Executive Committee and association members throughout the country were behind the successful efforts to market the modules and promote member ship during that time.
1983 -
A new era was ushered in during the second half of 1983, one which gave members new hope for the profession and the organization, one which is giving professionals more assistance through new training materials, new regional conferences and improved avenues of communication.
11 When the association concluded its 1983 fiscal year, it was given a "qualified" audit by its accountant. NEHA's money woes were closely tied to a steadily declining member ship. In view of these discouraging facts, the association began the search for a new executive director. In January 1983, the Executive Committee completed its search and employed Nelson E. Fabian, a managing engineer with 13 years experience in cluding environmental health planning and employment by the Motor Vehicle Manufac turers Association. Coming to NEHA in May 1983, Fabian, in consort with the Executive Committee, started immediately to mend the problems in finances and morale. Fabian began a pro gram of extensive travel to affiliates in order to reach all members on a pesonal basis and probe the profession; thus NEHA's leaders have learned about the members' priorities, sensitivities and needs. Equally critical during the period of resurgence was the work of President Phil Kirkwood (1983-84) and other officers who traveled extensively to promote NEHA and emphasize its role in professional development and regain respect for the association. During the first year of Fabian' s tenure, with the support of an Executive Committee committed to rejuvenating the association, the Newsletter was resurrected, the office was relocated, a sustaining membership campaign was launched, and funding was obtained from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for production of three more self-paced learning modules. Further, through the Association's technical sections and administrative committees, three position papers were prepared regarding pending legislation. The NEHA Scholar ship funded by contributions from members and affiliates was established. Several publications were developed and became available to members. By the time of the 1984 annual meeting, membership had stabilized, and an industry affiliate was approved by the Board of Directors. NEHA Was regaining its role in pro moting professionalism for environmental health practitioners. In the years following NEHA's test of fire, the momentum, progress and member ship have been expanding. Operating under the conviction that NEHA represents all practitioners in environmental health irrespective of place of employment, NEHA is attracting more professionals employed by industry into active membership. Executive Director Fabian has waged a successful campaign to increase the number of sustaining memberships and at the time this history was prepared, there were 50 sustaining members. NEHA's membership services had grown from a processing operation to a service operation with Mel Monkelis as Membership Coordinator. The department is also responsible for the NEHA Registration for Sanitarians, coordinating the technical sec tions and the annual educational conference program, and overseeing the scholarship program. Monkelis is also the administrator for the National Council on Continuing Education in Environmental Health. Expanding the number of publications so NEHA members get more from their pro fessional organization has also diversified the revenue base; NEHA operations are not now as dependent on membership dues and NEHA is financially stable. In 1983, membership dues accounted for 47 percent of the association's income; whereas, in 1987 only 27 percent of the income was from membership dues. The association is now committed to obtaining new grants and contracts, to increasing credentialing
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