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WHO WE ARE
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Letter from the President
Dear VEHA Members,
Change ….. if I’ve heard it once over the past 18 months, I’ve heard it a thousand times. Regardless of your political preference, all candidates agreed on this fact – “Change is necessary”. Perhaps this “change” is exactly what the doctor has ordered, and none too soon. Let us all hope that positive change happens, and the trust and confidence of our government can be restored to the people.
Change is all around us - from the change of the seasons, the migration of autumn into winter, and winter into welcomed spring, to the difficult economic challenges for the Commonwealth. Tough times evoke tough decisions by our government leaders to make adjustments and yet still provide the essential services to our citizenry. Change is not an entirely novel concept in public health either, as attested to by the evolution of our role in Environmental Health. We have gone from the Virginia Association of Public Health Sanitarians to the Virginia Environmental Health Association. Not only has our title changed, but so have our responsibilities. So, you see, change is pervasive, and change we must. The new Board of Directors for VEHA is cognizant of this fact, and we hope to steer the organization in new and exciting directions in the upcoming years.
This organization has been the liaison for Virginia, bringing information that is emerging on a national level back to the local level. Each year, a representative of the Board participates in the NEHA Annual Educational Conference. The 2008 AEC was attended by our new Vice President for Professional Advancement, Dr. Anna Jeng. She shared our concerns in Virginia with the other affiliates, and made strong recommendations for advancing the Environmental Health professional role by establishing a national standard, thus making applicants eligible for REHS and other advanced degrees. How can we better serve and prepare our EH professionals for the increasingly challenging positions and seemingly stagnant compensation? There is no doubt, it will take dedication and personal commitment from ALL of us to “raise the bar” on professionalism and exceptional performance to facilitate a re-structuring and possible re-grade in the future within the state government.
While VEHA is comprised primarily of individuals from the public sector, we also represent individuals from the private sector, local governments, and the world of academia. It is the diversity that provides the depth of knowledge and experience that strengthens our organization. As we all are aware, the public sector of the profession is suffering from the loss of years of knowledge and experience, by natural attrition of retirees. In the recent past, recruitment and selection has been challenging. How can we entice young, enthusiastic students to join in our mission, and commit to a career in public health? By establishing mentoring and career counseling programs within your region, we can reach out to the students around the area and encourage them to direct their goals toward public service. As daunting as it may be at times, public service is a very noble and worthy cause, and all of those working for the Commonwealth should take great pride in that fact.
The Board of Directors looks to its members to make their voices heard. Please share your thoughts, needs, and suggestions to improve our organization, and at the same time, increase the recognition of our role as Environmental Health Professionals. Additionally, please be assured that your Board members are advocating on your behalf at all times. I consider myself very fortunate to be a part of a team of very talented and dedicated environmental health professionals. I am extremely appreciative to have been selected as your President for the organization, and humbly ask that you join the Board members by volunteering your ideas and your time by participating in our educational workshops, joining our Board and committees, and creating a unified voice in Virginia.
Respectfully,
Amy D. Pemberton
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History
Founded in 1966 as the Virginia Sanitarians Association. The name was later changed to Virginia Environmental Health Association (VEHA) to more appropriately encompass the expanding field.
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General Information
The Virginia Environmental Health Association, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting professional environmental health practices in the Commonwealth of Virginia. VEHA is comprised of all volunteers who make up its general membership, the Board of Directors, and committees for:
• Membership
• Election
• Professional Advancement
• Technical Advisory
• Educational Training
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| VEHA provides a platform from which Environmental Health professionals can express their opinions and concerns about traditional and current environmental issues. In addition to discussing current challenges among fellow professionals, much effort is put forth to create and develop resolutions. When appropriate, some resolutions are offered to legislative and executive bodies for consideration during the promulgation of code and regulation. |
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