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Home >News : 2008 Community Partners Awards

SPH Honors its Community Partners

2008 SPH Community Partners Star Award Recipients

The School of Public Health held its annual Community Partners Event on September 24, 2008. At the event, individuals and groups within the community were honored for their work with the School and its students.

According to SPH Dean John Finnegan, "Community partners teach our students not only the day-to-day nuts and bolts of the field, but also the commitment and passion we all bring to our work. They are mentors, hosts for field experiences, advisory committee members, and adjunct faculty members. They realize the importance of bridging the state’s only school of public health and our public health practitioners."

EnHS Community Partner Star Awardees:

Myron Falken

Epidemiologist, MN Department of Health (MDH) - currently directs the Birth Defects Surveillance and Lead Surveillance Projects at MDH; adjunct faculty at the University of Minnesota.

Dr. Falken's collaboration with the School of Public Health has been primarily through the mentor program - a program with which he has been actively involved with for several years. He serves on the science advisory board for the National Children's study and has participated on several SPH committees.

Deborah Hendricks

Manager, Healthy Families Section, Saint Paul - Ramsey County Department of Public Health.

Ms. Hendricks has over 20 years experience in community health with expertise in maternal and child health program management. She is widely recognized as an effective change agent within organization and community.

In Ms. Hendrick's words "The long-term relationship between Environmental Health Sciences and the Saint Paul-Ramsey County Department of Public Health demonstrates the strengths and benefits of partnerships with the School of Public Health. Most recently, EnHS staff sought the involvement of local public health during the planning phases of the National Children’s Study to gain our participation and assure that the unique issues in our community were considered. The EnHS suggestion that we co-chair the NCS Community Advisory Board is a tangible example of their regard for community partners and desire to work together as the National Children’s Study moves forward."

Kathy Koehler Raleigh

EnHS Research Assistant and PhD Candidate.

Ms. Koehler Raleigh is recognized for her involvement with the Indigenous Women's Mercury Investigation (IWMI) project with the North American Water Office (NAWO). NAWO is a non-profit organization with the purpose to educate people about solutions to environmental problems that disproportionately affect Indigenous Peoples and People of Color.

Gary Olmstead

Corporate Director of Safety and Environmental Management, General Mills; adjunct faculty at the University of Minnesota and the University of St. Thomas.

Mr Olmstead has been actively involved with the School of Public Health for almost 25 years. He serves on several SPH advisory committees and is currently the chair the Midwest Center for Occupational Safety and Health (MCOHS).