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publish in an Eta Sigma Gamma Student What five words best describe you?
Monograph. What a remarkable young woman!
Dedicated, Honest, Empathetic, Leader, and Innovator
Which one thing do you wish you had done differently?
Any other comments/statements you wish to include?
My academic training included coursework in human
biology, with limited emphasis on human genetics. If I At the end of each course, I emphasize with my students
completed my academic training today, I would include that achieving the goal of becoming a Professional Health
substantial work on human genetics, particularly all aspects Educator requires vision, determination, perseverance, and
of Health Behavior Genomics. stamina. Achieving the goal often involves overcoming
great obstacles, and no one can guarantee success. I speak
Whom were you most influenced by professionally? directly to them about believing in their future:
How/Why?
“As your career unfolds, you may feel some doubt. You
Dr. J. Keogh Rash, a faculty member at Indiana University, may ask yourself – Did I make the right decision to become
became my mentor throughout my career. Dr. Rash a Professional Health Educator? I can’t answer that
epitomized professionalism. He taught me by example question for you, but I can make this prediction. When you
how to bring caring, concern, and personalization into a reach the end of your career, and you reflect on the broad
safe and welcoming classroom. Dr. Rash was a tapestry that defines your life and work, you will not regret
fundamentally honest, decent, humble person, and a true a decision to devote your life to serving others.
believer in Health Education. He influenced me
profoundly, and I still miss his guidance.

What challenges do you think Eta Sigma Gamma as an
organization will face in the next decade?
Health Behavior Genomics will dominate the coming
decade. Genomics research on behavior will require re-
defining answers to critical professional questions. Who
will qualify as a Professional Health Educator? What new
knowledge and skills will accompany those
qualifications? How can the Honorary remain flexible and
responsive in meeting member needs as new and
competing organizations and disciplines emerge,
particularly in recruitment and retention? Futuristic
thinking and adaptability will provide the keys to continued
success for the Honorary.

What challenges do you think Gammans as health
education professionals will be dealing with in the next
decade?

Gammans will confront an overwhelming array of
challenges from bio-engineering and robotics; gene
research and genomic medicine; medical care systems and
services; health literacy; increasingly complex social
morbidities; and an accelerating rate of change in science
and culture. One revolution in particular – Health
Behavior Genomics – will affect all aspects of our work as
Gammans and Professional Health Educators. To remain
viable, individuals must stay current on emerging research
in Health Behavior Genomics. As a profession, we must
modify professional preparation programs, instructional
methodology, and research design and analysis based on
the new science from Health Behavior Genomics.

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