| Abbreviation | AAS |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1966 |
| Founded at | Indiana |
| Type | Professional Association |
| Tax ID no. | 23-7099122 |
| Legal status | 501(c)(3) |
| Purpose | Protecting environmental health |
| Headquarters | Dunwoody, Georgia |
| Region served | United States |
| Chair of the Board of Directors | Michele Samarya-Timm, REHS, DLAAS |
| Chair-elect | Jessica Otto, REHS, DAAS |
| Executive Secretary/Treasurer | Eric Bradley, REHS, DLAAS |
| Award(s) | Davis Calvin Wagner Award |
| Website | https://aaosi.wildapricot.org |
The American Academy of Sanitarians (AAS) is a network of sanitarians providing recognition of outstanding competence of professional practice in the field of environmental health. The four-part mission of the academy, includes: elevating the standards, improving the practice, advancing the professional proficiency, and promoting the highest levels of ethical conduct among professional sanitarians in every field of environmental health. Through a process of evaluation by peers, the academy recognizes Diplomates, who are qualified persons attaining high professional stature through leadership and accomplishment in the practice of environmental health.
History
The origins of the academy may be traced to the formation of a Sanitarians Joint Council in November, 1956 at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association in Atlantic City, NJ. Founding members included the APHA, the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA), and the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP). Objectives of the Council included: 1) developing a uniform definition of "sanitarian"; 2) promoting the professional status of the sanitarian; 3) developing a specialty board to recognize sanitarians; 4) drafting uniform law for the registration of sanitarians; and 5) developing common educational and experiential requirements for the professional practice of sanitarian. From these early efforts, the academy was formerly incorporated in the State of Indiana on March 14, 1966.
Initiatives
The academy cooperates with related organizations, including the American Public Health Association, National Environmental Health Association, International Association for Food Protection, and others as leaders of professional practice.
Many members of the academy serve in the uniformed services, including the United States Public Health Service and the United States Army, in the role of Environmental Health Officer.
Members of the academy assist in the accreditation of environmental health programs by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council.
In partnership with the National Environmental Health Association, the academy provides financial sponsorship for scholarships for students pursuing higher education in environmental health.
Recognition
The academy operates three programs to recognize excellence in environmental health.
Certification as a Diplomate of the American Academy of Sanitarians (DAAS) may be awarded to professionally credentialed environmental health practitioners with qualities of outstanding competence and leadership, which are assessed through a formal process of evaluation by peers. As of 2024, a total of 615 individuals had obtained DAAS status.
In 1999, the academy created the certification of Diplomate Laureate of the American Academy of Sanitarians (DLAAS) to recognize Diplomates who have demonstrated continuing outstanding commitment, leadership, and accomplishment in the environmental health profession beyond the criteria used to evaluate Diplomates. As of 2024, a total of 14 individuals had obtained DLAAS status. These include:
- Robert Powitz
- Trenton Davis
- James Balsamo Jr
- Larry Gordon
- James Dingman
- Gary Noonan
- Harman Koren
- Michele Samarya-Timm
- Vincent Radke
- Welford Roberts
- Francis Hart
- Eric Bradley
- Daniel Oerther
- Brian Collins
In 1980, the academy established the Davis Calvin Wagner Award, which represents the highest honor and recognition the academy can bestow upon a Diplomate for outstanding professional work, accomplishments, and contributions to the sanitarian profession. Past winners include:
- Richard Roberts
- John Nordin
- RADM John Todd
- Larry Gordon
- Geswaldo Verrone
- Richard Moats
- Dale Treusdell
- George Kupfer
- Worley Johnson Jr.
- Bruce Chelikowsky
- Charless Dee Clingman
- RADM Webster Young Jr.
- Robert Powitz
- Franklin Carver
- Anthony Aiken
- Gary Noonan
- James Balsamo Jr.
- Welford Roberts
- Gary Coleman
- Ginger Gist
- Joseph Beck
- Harry Grenawitzke
- George Nakamura
- Thomas Crow
- Craig Shepherd
- Stephen Tackitt
- Brian Collins
- Jeffery Smith
- Wendy Fanaselle
- John Sarisky
- Herman Koren
- Michael Welch
- Sheila Davidson Pressley
- Charles Otto, III
- Wendell Moore
- Justin Gerding
References
- Mangold, Walter S. (1944-07-01). "History of the Sanitarians Association". The Sanitarian. 7: 531–535.
- Adams, H.S. (1966-02-01). "The American Intersociety Academy for the Certification of Sanitarians, Inc". Journal of Food Protection. 29: 45–48.
- Powitz, Robert (2015-04-01). "An Introduction and History of the American Academy of Sanitarians" (PDF). Journal of Environmental Health. 77: 34–35.
- Bannon, Liz (2024-02-11). "From swimmer to soldier: the public health journey of Lt. Col. Sean Beeman". University of South Florida. Tampa, Florida, USA. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
- "The Evolution of the Environmental Health Officer Category". Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service. 2023-12-11. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
- "Partners". NEHSPAC. 2020-01-01. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
- MacDonald-Pool, Meaghan (2022-10-27). "Montana State environmental health senior wins national scholarship". MSU News Service. Bozeman, Montana, USA. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
- Zemel, Felix I. (2015-07-01). "What is a Diplomate, and What Does it Do?" (PDF). Journal of Environmental Health. 78: 34–35.
- Powitz, Robert (2003-12-01). "Inspections, Part 1: The Professional Sanitarian". Food Safety Magazine. Birmingham, MI, USA: Food Safety Magazine. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
- "Oerther named Diplomate Laureate". Phelps County Focus. Rolla, MO, USA. 2023-02-23. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
- "2023 Walter S. Mangold Award Winner". National Environmental Health Association. 2023-08-01. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
- "2020 Awards and Scholarships: Recognizing Excellence in the Environmental Health Profession". Journal of Environmental Health. 83: 38–43. 2020-10-01.
- Parker, Mike (2020-05-15). "North Lenoir grad made her mark in environmental health". Neuse News. Kinston, North Carolina, USA. Retrieved 2024-12-18.