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THE HEALTH EDUCATION MONOGRAPH SERIES, Volume 34, Number 1, 2017

professionally influential person in my life. After
completing degrees in other disciplines and being between
jobs (it was a recession at the time) and working on
discovering my life’s purpose, I began taking classes as an
“unclassified” student in health education. Dr. Sliepevich
was faculty for one of those classes. When I asked her if
she thought I had the abilities to complete a master’s degree
in the department, she replied “No. You have abilities for
a doctoral degree. Here’s the application, I will be honored
to serve as your reference.” At that time I had no clue of
her tremendous skills, history and contributions to the
profession. Two years later I had not only completed that
degree, but I had learned the true meaning of
professionalism-mostly from Dr. Sliepevich’s behaviors,
style, passion and compassion. She showed you what was
right, she rarely told you what was right—she left it up to
you to figure it out.

Probably much more frequently than I care to admit, when
I find myself facing ethical dilemmas, professional
conundrums, intractable situations, students & colleagues,
I ask myself, Ok what would Dr. Sliepcevich do about
this? That’s how I know what an influence she had upon
my professionalism. And, I’m guessing that same influence
extends to legions of health education professionals over
her amazing career.

What challenges do you think ESG as an organization
will face in the next decade?

With all the competing demands—financial, academic,
work, family--upon students today, I think it will be a
challenge for ESG and all health education professional
organizations to maintain and grow membership.
Maintaining currency and relevance for new generations of
Gammans might also present some challenges for our
Honorary given the incredible pace of technological,
political, social and economic change cycles.

What 5 words best describe you?
Calming, Caring, Insightful, Passionate, and Professional

16 THE HEALTH EDUCATION MONOGRAPH SERIES, Volume 34, Number 1, 2017