NEHA 2024 AEC Wrap-Up
Social Events
First-Time Attendee Orientation We held our First-Time Attendee Orien- tation on Monday, July 15. This session, aimed at welcoming and orienting new- comers, featured a vibrant mix of first- time attendees, mentors, and NEHA staff. The event was designed to ensure that first-time attendees felt supported and had the resources they needed to tra- verse the conference successfully. President Butts kicked off the event with a warm welcome to the first-time attend - ees and mentors. He thanked the mentors for offering their time to support the new- comers. Mentors and mentees were con- nected and the mentors shared advice and stories to assist first-time attendees. The orientation prepared attendees for the days ahead, encouraging them to make the most of their AEC experience through networking, attending sessions, and access- ing all available resources. It also high- lighted the importance of the mentor–men- tee relationship that continued throughout the conference, with mentors offering sup- port, guidance, and connections. As one attendee shared, “Thank you very much for the warm welcome to NEHA and for fostering the connection with others attending the conference for the first time. The people I met at the first- timer’s event greatly enhanced my overall experience, and ensured that I never ate a meal alone!” Environmental Health Photo Exhibit & Artifact Display The second night of the conference, Tues- day, July 16, treated attendees to an exhibi- tion of environmental health photos and an exploration of the history of our profession. Photography serves as a compelling storytelling tool. For the 2024 AEC, we again invited our members to participate in our Second Annual Environmental Pub- lic Health Photography Contest—Lens on Environmental Health by submitting pho- tos that illustrate the impact of our work. Dr. Lucy Houghton, our opening keynote speaker, and Gina Bare, one of our staff members and an experienced photogra- pher, served as judges for the contest. The selected photos were featured during an upscale evening exhibition and remained on display throughout the conference. This event continues to be a highlight
of the AEC. HS GovTech sponsored this event and generously provided prizes for the winners. We thank all who submitted photos for the contest. Congratulations to the win- ners of this year’s photo contest: Climate and Health Category • 1st place: Benedicta Bras, Lake County Environmental Health • 2nd place: Jenna Lance, Sarpy/Cass Health Department • 3rd place: Samantha Russell, Skagit County Public Health Food Safety • 1st place: Aaron Stough, City of Richardson • 2nd place: Reem Tariq • 3rd place: Harry Heafer, Lincoln– Lancaster County Health Department General Environmental Health • 1st place: Bob Custard, Jefferson County Health Department • 2nd place: Hannah Lower, Franklin County Public Health • 3rd place: Joseph Austin Addison, Georgia Department of Public Health Healthy Communities • 1st place: Bob Custard, Jefferson County Health Department • 2nd place: Harry Heafer, Lincoln–Lan- caster County Health Department • 3rd place: Kim Dillion, Aramark Water Quality • 1st place: Dani Serna, Weld County Environmental Health Attendees viewed the winning photos from our Second Annual Environmental Public Health Photography Contest, getting to see our profession through the lens of a camera and learning of the power of storytelling and imagery.
• 2nd place: Samantha Russell, Skagit County Public Health • 3rd place: Sandra Oo, Craven County Health Department The event also included a curated dis- play of historical items from our profes- sion from the private collection of Dr. Robert Powitz. Members of the NEHA History Project Task Force were also on hand to talk to attendees about the rich history of the profession and our associa- tion. The items showcased the evolution of environmental public health practices and control measures. Breakfast & Town Hall Assembly Attendees packed the room early Wednes- day morning, July 17, to get an update on the association and ask questions of our leadership. President Butts opened the Town Hall by giving a brief review of the past year. NEHA continued its goal of sup- porting the professionals on their environ- mental health career pathway by doubling the amount of student scholarships given, increasing the diversity of student par- ticipation in the internship program, and investing more than $7 million in direct funding to communities. The association also met that goal by providing training, assessment, and consultation. In 2024, we also hosted our first-ever in-person Hill Day for members. Closing the year in review, President Butts shared a quote from a NEHA member: “Why membership? It’s a lot of fun and intellectually stimulat- ing to be surrounded by people who are dedicated to environmental health.” Dr. Robert Powitz shared his incomparable collection of artifacts from our profession’s history, taking attendees on a journey to the past to help us appreciate our present and to envision the future.
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Volume 87 • Number 4
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