| Texas Society for Public Health Education |
TSOPHE AWARDS
Each year since 1988, the Texas Society for Public Health Education (TSOPHE) has honored two member who have been identified by their peers as having advanced health education in Texas. These awards were established in the names of two long-time TSOPHE members, Helen Hill and Dorothy Huskey, who emulated outstanding service and health education practice. TSOPHE awarded Lifetime Membership to these two outstanding health education advocates in 1998 as a tribute to the legacy they have left us, and to those who have been acknowledged as following their footsteps.Helen S. Hill Distinguished Service AwardHelen Hill always believed that one's involvement in professional organizations is what builds their professional practice skills. She not only served in many organizations related to health education and public health, but encouraged those with whom she worked to do the same. She worked long and hard on membership and communication committees, involved at both the state and national level. After retiring from the Texas Department of Health, Helen continued to participate in health education events and activities in the state until her death in the fall of 1998. The Helen Hill Distinguished Service Award is given annually to recognize commitment to, and work done on behalf of, the Texas Chapter. Dorothy Huskey Excellence in Health Education Practice Award Dorothy Huskey is known for her commitment to the practice of health education, and her belief that people should be involved in making decisions about their personal health status, as well as the health of the community in which they lived. Her philosophy is one of involvement--not only of those being educated, but also of the educators. The students in Dr. Huskey's classes at Sam Houston State University were usually learning community organization techniques by being in the middle of health program and policy development activities in the community. They helped create and encourage community support to establish a local health department and other health programs in their city. For many years, Dr. Huskey was an active national SOPHE member who saw the need for professional support at the grassroots level. She acted to meet that need by serving as a founder, charter member and President of the Texas Chapter of SOPHE. The Dorothy Huskey Award for Health Education Practice is given annually by Texas SOPHE for outstanding work in health education, and for carrying on Dorothy's commitment to helping people improve health. |