Awards

The annual MEHA awards stand as a  celebration of excellence within the environmental health community, recognizing outstanding contributions and innovations that shape our field. Each year, we  honor those whose dedication and leadership exemplify the mission and vision of the Massachusetts Environmental Health Association, inspiring both seasoned professionals and emerging leaders alike.

Dr. Joseph S. Goldfarb Award

The Dr. Joseph S. Goldfarb Award is given on the basis that the recipient is recognized by his/her peers to have made a significant contribution during their professional career in the field of environmental health in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The following guidelines are used by the Awards Committee in the selection of nominees. These guidelines are subject to change from time to time:

Criteria

  • The nominee should be a member of The Massachusetts Environmental Health Association in good standing.
  • The nominee should be a Registered Sanitarian in Massachusetts or other jurisdiction.
  • The nominee should have been engaged in the field for at least three years.
  • The name of the nominee shall be submitted to the committee for evaluation at least sixty days before the Annual Meeting.
  • The Award can be given to the recipient only once.
Awardee List

2023: Colleen Fermon
2022: Bob Canning
2021: Philip Leger
2020: Susan Sawyer
2019: Nancy Ellis Ice
2018: Alfred DeMaria
2017: Leonard Izzo, Sr
2016: Paul Halfman
2015: Daniel Ottenheimer
2014: Gary Perlman
2013: Michael Blanchard
2012: Gerrard F. Cody
2011: Heidi Porter
2010: Larry Ramdin
2009: Regina Hanson
2008: Deborah M. Rosati
2007: Robert Cooper
2006: Mike Moore
2005: Jeffery Jerzyck and Steven Ward
2004: John McNally
2003: James White
2002: George Smith
2001: Patrick Maloney
2000: Joel Hollis
1999: Gerald Collins
1998: George Young
1997: Dr. David Mulligan
1996: J. David Naparstek
1995: Sen’s Lois Pines, Lucille Hicks, Rep Carmen Buell
1994: Dr. Gregory Connolly
1993: MDPH – Bureau of Env Health Assessment
1992: Paula Champagne
1991: MDPH – Div of Food & Drugs
1990: Howard Wensley
1989: Robert Jacques
1988: Eileen Andrews and Jay Walsh
1987: Steven Calichman
1986: Edward O’Hara
1985: Phyllis Boucher
1984: John Carr
1983: Leo H. DeCoteau
1982: John Canning
1981: Walter Irvine Jr.
1980: John Bricket
1979: Vartkes “Vic” K. Karian
1978: Tracy I. Flagg
1977: Clarence L. Edwards
1976: Daniel Milano
1975: Karol Wisnieski
1974: Harold D. Rose
1973: Edward F. M. Wong

Vartkes "Vic" Karian Award

In 1997 the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Environmental Health Association voted to recognized dedicated longstanding member of the Association by creating an award in his honor.

The Vartkes “Vic” Karian Award is presented annually to an individual, organization or agency in recognition of outstanding contributions to and support of the practice of environmental health in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It was appropriate that the first awardee was Vartkes “Vic” Karian.

Awardee List

2023: Dawn Sibor
2022: Sen. Joanne Comerford, Rep. Hannah Kane, & Rep. Denise Garlick
2021: Claire Golden
2020: Dr. Catherine Brown
2019: Chief Justice Timothy F. Sullivan
2018: Congresswoman Catherine Clark
2017: Cheryl Sbarra
2016: Charlie Baker
2015: Charlie Kaniecki
2014: C. J. Wilson
2013: Diane Bernazzani
2012: Lisa Jackson
2011: Ben Carasco, MBTA Police
2010: MA Bureau Emergency Preparedness, Mary Clark, Director
2009: David Henley
2008: Commissioner John Auberach
2007: Mass Public Health Association
2006: BU School of Public Health Alliance
2005: Mike Ciota
2004: Suzanne Condon
2003: Mayor Thomas Menino
2002: Michael Cahill
2001: Richard Waskiewicz
2000: John Higgins
1999: Scott Harshbarger
1998: Vartkes “Vic” K. Karian

Robert C. Periello Memorial Award

Massachusetts Sanitarian of the Year)

In tribute to Bob Periello for the many years of service and accomplishment during a career over thirty years of Public Health and academic service in New England, the Yankee conference Board of Directors established the “Robert C. Periello Merit Award”.

An outstanding Sanitarian from each state may be selected annually and presented this Certificate of Merit and a savings bond in an amount approved by the Board of Directors at the Annual Yankee Conference.

The significance of this award is to acknowledge the professional achievements made by Sanitarians in the field of Environmental Health. Everyone recognizes that there are individuals working at each level of responsibility who deserve recognition for their contribution to the field of public health.

Criteria

  • The sanitarian must be chosen for the award by the Board of Directors of each individual state association.
  • The nomination of the person receiving the award must be submitted to the Yankee Conference Board of directors not less than 45 days prior to the date of the Educational Conference.
  • The Sanitarian must be registered in their state where a state sanitarian Registration Act exists and be a member of the State’s association.
  • The recipient must have performed a service that produced a positive benefit to the field of environmental health in their state. This service can be either a single new achievement or a continuing program of outstanding merit.
  • The Yankee conference Board of Directors must receive from the President of each State association a written description concerning the nominee including a biographical sketch and a short statement describing the nominee’s accomplishment.
Awardee List

2023: Paul Shoemaker
2022: Pamela Ross-Kung
2021: Massachusetts Local Public Health
2020: Lisa Berger
2019: Patrick Maloney
2018: MetroWest MOAPC (Framingham, Ashland, Hudson & Natick)
2017: David Henley
2016: Annette R. Duke
2015: Robin Williams
2014: Dr. Wayne W. LaMorte
2013: Robert Beaudoin
2012: Dr. Wendy Haiger
2011: Mass PHIT – Housing Committee
2010: Heidi Porter
2009: Megan Baldwin
2008: George Smith

George R. Smith Innovation Award

This award was established in 2008 in memory and honor of George Smith RS a long time member and supporter of environmental health in Massachusetts. During his tenure as Sanitarian and Health Officer/Director in various communities in Massachusetts, Mr. Smith thrived on implementing new and progressive ways of getting the “Job Done”. During his tenure as Director of Public Health in the Town of Lexington, Mr. Smith developed the first House Hold Hazardous Materials collection day. This program is now a model for most communities throughout the commonwealth. He also developed for Lexington, the first asbestos removal permitting and inspection program as well as some of the states first tobacco control by-laws. George Smith RS is the first recipient of this award.

Criteria

  • The nominee of this award can be an Individual, Association or Cooperation (from Government, Academia or Private Industry) that has demonstrated an innovative vision for implementing environmental health programs.
  • The annual award will be issued at the Massachusetts Environmental Health Associations annual meeting. The award will be awarded as a Silver Plated Paul Revere Bowl to acknowledge the first member of a Massachusetts Board of Health.
Awardee List

2023: Dawn Sibor
2022: Sen. Joanne Comerford, Rep. Hannah Kane, & Rep. Denise Garlick
2021: Claire Golden
2020: Dr. Catherine Brown
2019: Chief Justice Timothy F. Sullivan
2018: Congresswoman Catherine Clark
2017: Cheryl Sbarra
2016: Charlie Baker
2015: Charlie Kaniecki
2014: C. J. Wilson
2013: Diane Bernazzani
2012: Lisa Jackson
2011: Ben Carasco, MBTA Police
2010: MA Bureau Emergency Preparedness, Mary Clark, Director
2009: David Henley
2008: Commissioner John Auberach
2007: Mass Public Health Association
2006: BU School of Public Health Alliance
2005: Mike Ciota
2004: Suzanne Condon
2003: Mayor Thomas Menino
2002: Michael Cahill
2001: Richard Waskiewicz
2000: John Higgins
1999: Scott Harshbarger
1998: Vartkes “Vic” K. Karian

Dr. Leon A. Bradley Award

This is a New England Regional NEHA affiliate award given by the Yankee Conference Board of Directors (YCBD). Each New England affiliate can nominate an individual from their state whom they deem worthy of this award. This special honor, established in 1971 by the YCBD may be awarded to only one recipient (if deemed worthy) each year. The award is presented at the Yankee Conference.
Awardee List

2021: Jim White
2020: –
2019: Deborah Rosati
2018: –
2017: –
2016: –
2015: Steve Ward
2014: –
2013: Paul McNulty
2012: Jack Carr
2011: Larry Ramdin
2010: –
2009: Michael Moore
2008: –
2007: Patrick Maloney
2006: –
2005: George Young
2004: –
2003: –
2002: –
2001: –
2000: Earle Rafuse
1999: –
1998: –
1997: William Iannucci
1996: –
1995: –
1994: Joseph Hock
1993: –
1992: –
1991: –
1990: –
1989: –
1988: –
1987: –
1986: –
1985: –
1984: David Wiggin
1983: Joseph “Jay” Walsh
1982: –
1981: –
1980: –
1979: –
1978: Edward DeLouise
1977: –
1976: Frederick Siino
1975: –
1974: Robert Perriello
1973: –
1972: –
1971: Leon Bradley

Joseph "Jay" Walsh, Jr. Mentor Award

This award was established by the Massachusetts Environmental Health Association in 2013 in honor of the late Jay Walsh and appropriately named the MEHA Mentor Award. The award will be presented annually recognizing an individual who captures the spirit, energy and dedication of mentoring others in the profession of environmental health.
Awardee List

2023: Alan Perry
2022: Diane Chalifoux-Judge
2021: Paul Halfmann
2020: Steven Hughes & David Williams
2019: Merridith O’Leary
2018: Gerard Cody
2017: Sam Lipson
2016: Steve Ward
2015: James M. White, Jr
2014: Pat Maloney
2013: Joseph “Jay” Walsh

President's Award

This award was established by the Massachusetts Environmental Health Association, giving the President the opportunity to recognize an individual(s) who demonstrates dedication to their colleagues and to the fields of environmental and public health.
Awardee List

2023: Phillis Schilp, Jack Morris, Rike Sterrett
2022: Tom Coffill, Shanene Pierce
2021: Bill Murphy, Jana Ferguson, Sam Wong
2020: Pamela Ross-Kung
2019: Leon Bethune, Diane Chalifoux-Judge
2018: Ruth-Ellen Sandler

National Environmental Health Association Certificate of Merit

As an NEHA Affiliate, MEHA is invited to designate one of its members and/or a team to receive a Certificate of Merit, thereby nationally recognizing one of their own for outstanding contributions to the environmental health profession.

Awardee List

2023: Kathleen Waldron
2021: Karen Contador (individual) & G&L Laboratories (organization)
2020: Michael Boudreau
2019: Vivian Zeng
2018: Karla Todd
2017: Heather Gallant