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throughout those years, were blessed to receive an and is also on my list of influential professionals
increasing number of excellent manuscript submissions.
What challenges do you think ESG as an organization
The second aspect of my editorial duties began in the late will face in the next decade?
spring of 1982, when Dr. Schaller got that “look” in his eye
once again---this time, he proposed that we also add a The organization’s mission and goals are strong, and ESG
monograph series, to be published 1-2 times per year and is solidly grounded. I think an ongoing challenge that may
feature special themes, including a once per year student become even greater with the multiplicity of people
authored monograph issue. I walked out of his office with a claiming knowledge and expertise in the area of preventive
rather dazed look on my face, as I had just said “yes” once health/health coaching/health guidance is to continue
more to becoming Editor of this publication as well! advocating for the profession and educating others. We
need to position our students and young professionals to
Which one thing do you wish you had done differently? represent and advocate for the profession as a whole.
We didn’t have the technology or the social media then that What challenges do you think Gammans as health
we do today. If we had had the capability, it would have education professionals will be dealing with in the next
been productive to host some virtual meetings where more decade?
could attend, as well as our annual Board of Directors
meetings. It would have been wonderful if Skype, WebEx, Advocating for the profession, third party reimbursement
or other such programs existed back then. I believe we for services, and staying on top of changing federal and
could have used technology to meet more frequently and to state legislation, policy, and trends
receive input from members around the nation about issues
concerning ESG. What five words best describe you?
Optimistic, Encourager, Faithful, Loyal, and Curious
Whom were you most influenced by professionally?
How and Why? Any other comments/statements you wish to include?
Within Eta Sigma Gamma, Dr. Robert Synovitz (ESG Co- I’m so grateful that I was introduced to ESG so early in my
founder), Dr. Loren Bensley, and Dr. Jim McKenzie all career. Even though I was a returning adult student, with
were great role models in that they were actively involved 20 years of experience in my nursing career, ESG
in the Honorary, were great spokespersons and advocates introduced me to students and professionals alike, and gave
for the profession, and were committed to professional me the unparalleled opportunity to share my career path
development for students. Each of them was dedicated to with others and to advocate for disease prevention and
Eta Sigma Gamma and volunteered many hours to the health education & promotion. As a faculty member, and
organization. Another leader is Dr. Larry Olsen, who particularly while I served in the presidential rotation, I was
encouraged students to get involved in national, regional, able to meet Gammans from all across the nation. I was
and state professional organizations as a means to grow honored to attend several new chapter installation
their knowledge of current issues, to present their work and ceremonies, and to spend time with those who represented
learn from the work of others, and to meet colleagues from the future of the profession. In the years since that time, I
across the nation. He also encouraged knowledge of the have been honored to hear from graduates and ESG
history of our profession and worked hard to connect other members who are now doing life-changing work in this
leaders with students and young professionals. In fact, as country and abroad, to advance health for those with whom
a part of one of Dr. Olsen’s class assignments where they work. I think for me it has come full circle, and I’m
everyone literally drew the name of a founder out of a hat, happy & thankful for all I’ve been able to contribute to
I drew Dorothy Nyswander, who was a pioneer for women ESG, and all the ways I have been blessed by ESG.
in public health education. I investigated and realized she
would have been 93 at the time. I then discovered that not
only was she still living, but that she loved to interact with
students, so from Pennsylvania I called her in California,
where she still hosted U.C. Berkley students in her home,
and was honored to have a 20 minute conversation with
her. She was amazing, lived well until her death at age 104,

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