NEHA 2024 AEC Wrap-Up
Samuel J. Crumbine Consumer Protection Award Environmental Health Section, Richmond County Health Department This prominent award is given annually to local environmental health jurisdictions that demonstrate unsurpassed achieve- ment in providing food protection services to their communities. It is named for one of the country’s most renowned health offi - cers and educators, Dr. Samuel J. Crumbine. The Crumbine Award encourages innova- tive programs and methods that reduce or eliminate foodborne illnesses, recognizes the importance of food protection at the local level, and stimulates public aware- ness in food service sanitation. The Environmental Health Section of the Richmond County Health Depart- ment (RCEHS) enforces laws and regula - tions in North Carolina to protect public health and the environment. Its mission is to promote a safe and healthy envi- ronment in partnership with industry and public agencies by conducting risk- The Snyder Award was created in 1971 in honor of Walter F. Snyder, cofounder and first executive director of NSF. Pre - sented by NSF and NEHA, this award is given annually to individuals who con- tinue Snyder’s legacy through outstand- ing contributions to environmental and public health. NSF and NEHA are proud to announce that Timothy Hatch, MPA, REHS, is the 2024 recipient of the Walter F. Sny- der Environmental Health Award. Hatch is the district health administrator for the Alabama Department of Public Health. In his work at the Alabama Depart- ment of Public Health, Hatch leads a team of 300 employees who solve public and environmental health challenges that impact more than 700,000 people across 7,300 mi 2 . He has also worked with the International Federation of Environmen- tal Health, United Nations, and World Health Organization. In 2022, he spent hours engaging with the U.S. Congress to ensure environmental health was funded as part of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Response Act, which was a monumental benefit to public health nationwide.
Uniformed Services Awards Awards from the Environmental Health Officers Professional Advisory Committee were recognized at the 2024 AEC. These awards honor environmental health pro- fessionals within the uniformed services for their outstanding accomplishments in the environmental health field. John G. Todd Award CAPT Jill Shugart Edward (Ted) Moran Award CDR Kenneth Fent John C. Eason Award LT Katelyn Watts Thomas Crow Mentor Award CDR Jessica Otto Environmental Health Officer Responder of the Year Award CDR Kenneth Fent Kelly M. Taylor Health Equity Award CDR Martin Smith Hatch served on the NEHA Board of Directors from 2014–2023 as a regional vice-president. During his tenure on the NEHA board, he served on numerous committees, was a technical advisor, and was a peer reviewer for the Journal . Hatch has been the recipient of numer- ous awards from both local and national organizations: • Ansel C. Mullins Award Recipient, Alabama Environmental Health Association (AEHA), 1999 • CDC Environmental Public Health Leadership Institute Fellow for Cohort IV, 2008–2009) • Alabama Environmentalist of the Year Award Recipient, AEHA, 2009 • Frederick S. Wolfe Award, Alabama Public Health Association (AlPHA), 2012 • Howell Special Meritorious Service to Public Health Award, Southern Health Association, 2013 • Past Presidents Award, NEHA, 2014 • D.G. Gill, MD, Award, AlPHA, 2018 • Honorary commission as colonel in the Alabama National Guard by the adjutant general of Alabama, 2020
based inspections, providing educational outreach, leveraging technology, col- laborating with other jurisdictions, and improving its program by gathering feed- back from community surveys. In 2013, RCEHS enrolled in the FDA Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards. In 2023, RCEHS became the first county in North Carolina to achieve conformance with all nine Program Stan- dards. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of RCEHS and the commitment to ensure the safety and well-being of its community. The Crumbine Award is supported by the Conference for Food Protection, in cooperation with the American Academy of Sanitarians, American Public Health Association, Association of Food and Drug Officials, Food Marketing Institute, Food - service Packaging Institute, International Association for Food Protection, National Association of County and City Health Officials, National Environmental Health Association, National Restaurant Associa- tion, NSF, and UL.
Walter F. Snyder Environmental Health Award Timothy Hatch, MPA, REHS
Hatch began as a county-level environ- mental public health practitioner in 1995 and rose to the position of administrator, overseeing all public health services for an 11-county district. “I have always con- sidered environmental health the core of public health. What matters most is human health, longevity, and environmental qual- ity for a happy and safe existence. Environ- mental health practitioners ensure that,” commented Hatch. Hatch was also the first environmental health practitioner in Ala- bama in two decades to earn the NEHA REHS/RS credential in 2007. Since that time, he has mentored and encouraged a dozen more professionals to achieve this national credential.
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Volume 87 • Number 4
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