Public Health Association of Nebraska
2003 Annual Conference
October 9 and 10, 2003
Conference Annual Awards
Jim Dills Distinguished Public Health Service Award - Barbara Pearson
For many years, the Public Health Association in Nebraska has made awards for service to Public Health. In 2001, the Association decided to re-name one of those awards in honor of Jim Dills, the late Administrator of the Health Promotion and Education Division at Nebraska Health and Human Services System.
Jim dedicated his nearly 30-year career to promoting Public Health in Nebraska. During that time, new health initiatives were nurtured, new local health departments were created and new partnerships were developed. The Health Promotion and Education Division weathered challenges, thrived and grew in reputation. Jim's quiet leadership had major effect on the status of Public Health as it exists in Nebraska today.
In this world, there are certain people we come to admire because of their work, and because their work reflects the qualities of their character. They exemplify commendable human qualities in the way they conduct themselves. Their work has a positive and lasting effect on the others, even people they never met.
The work of Jim Dills reflected the qualities of his character, which included:
Leadership: -- “Characteristics of a good leader, a person who has commanding authority or influence”Integrity: -- “Firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic beliefs” Dedication: -- “To give over or direct to a cause, enterprise or activity”Modesty: -- “Placing a moderate estimate on one's abilities or worth”Today we recognize a person whose work reflects similar qualities of character, and whose work has advanced the field of Public Health in Nebraska.
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BARBARA PEARSON receives the Jim Dills Distinguished Public Heath Service Award
from PHAN President Bruce Dart
Barbara Pearson has been selected for the prestigious Jim Dills Distinguished Public Health Service Award. She has been employed at the Nebraska Health and Human Services System for almost 30 years and began her career with the Nebraska Department of Health in the High Blood Pressure Program. In this position, she was contacted by people from all across the state with blood pressure and screening implementation questions. This program led to the development of many additional chronic disease prevention programs that prepared her for the challenge of managing the Public Health and Health Services Block Grant, her current primary responsibility. She also staffs the Nebraska Public Health Advisory Committee. Barbara is well respected by those in the local departments because of the excellent service she provides to them.
Barbara has been one of the strongest state supporters of local public health departments. Her guidance and insight into the basic infrastructure of public health has been a touchstone for the foundation of public health we see today. It is my great privilege to present the Jim Dills Distinguished Public Health Service Award to Barbara.
PHAN Lifetime Membership Award - Paula Eurek
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PAULA EUREK receives the PHAN Lifetime Membership Award
from PHAN President Bruce Dart
Paula Eurek has been selected for the PHAN Lifetime Membership Award. She has been an employee of the Nebraska Health and Human Services System for almost 20 years. Her professional experience includes two years of community-level services as a WIC nutritionist and over 10 years as a state-level WIC nutritionist and administrator. She was the interim MCH Division Administrator for the State of Nebraska from 1988 to 1989 and has held the roles of Administrator for the Office of Family Health and Title V MCH Director since December 1995. Paula is actively involved in maternal and child health as well as serving on numerous public health committees/councils. Help me congratulate Paula for her many years of service for public health in Nebraska.
PHAN Service Award - Jeff Soukup
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JEFF SOUKUP receives the PHAN Service Award
from PHAN President Bruce Dart
Jeff Soukup has been selected for the PHAN Service Award. He currently serves on the PHAN Board as the Treasurer as well as serving on special PHAN committees. Jeff was instrumental in bringing IMPROV to Nebraska. He serves as the lead in many areas of tobacco control; policy related issues as well as assuring that the Program and advocates are kept informed on pending national, state, and local policies that could have an impact on tobacco control in Nebraska. Lets thank Jeff for his service and dedication to public health.
PHAN Outstanding Student of Public Health Award - Janelle Ryan
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JANELLE RYAN receives the PHAN Outstanding Student of Public Health Award
from PHAN President Bruce Dart
Janelle Ryan, R.N., B.S.N., has been selected for the Public Health Association of Nebraska Outstanding Student of Public Health Award for 2003. Mrs. Ryan is a master's student at UNMC in the Community/Public Health Nursing program at the College of Nursing using their distance education program She is also a school nurse and school-nursing supervisor for Columbus Public Schools. Mrs. Ryan provides excellent service to the school population, including the families of the children, as well as working with the community and school organization to promote intervention for individual and family needs. Help me congratulate Janelle for her fine service to public health.