The Missouri Environmental Health Association held their annual Educational Conference at Lake of the Ozarks October 1-4, 2002. Janet Murray, R.E.H.S. and Eric Breusch, C.E.H.S. of the Randolph County Health Department attended the 3-day conference. Conference topics included Bioterrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction; Tools of the Trade; Fire Safety Issues; Food-Handling-Amish Style; Public Lab Changes; West Nile Virus Update; and Foodborne Disease, as well as others. Speakers for these topics came from across the Country, including the CDC in Atlanta, UMC Fire and Rescue, UMC Food Science Dept., and National Environmental Health Association Journal.

At the Awards Banquet on Thursday evening, Janet Murray was presented with the MO Environmental Health Specialist of the Year Award. This is awarded for outstanding achievement, over and above expectations within the field of environmental health. There were three nominations for this award, all of which were for Janet. Gerald Worley, Past President of MEHA presented the award to Janet, saying " I have known Janet for many years and know of no one that works harder for her profession and professional organizations. She truly deserves this award."

Janet has been an active member of the Missouri Environmental Health Association and it's sister organization, the Missouri Milk, Food and Environmental Health Association. She is a past winner of the Wilbur S. Feagan Field Sanitarian Award, and in April received the MMFEHA President's Award for service to the association. In addition, she has served MMFEHA as its Secretary, Vice President, President-Elect and President. She currently serves MMFEHA as it's Hospitality Co-Chairman, assists with the newsletter and membership lists. She also serves MEHA as its membership chairman. She is a licensed trainer for the National Restaurant Association's ServSafe food course, as well as the National Registry's Food Sanitation and Safety Course. In the past two years she has also served as the Chairman for the Missouri Board for Certification of Environmental Health Professionals, where she was instrumental in drafting the first Missouri specific certification examination. Janet has served the Randolph County Health Department in environmental health since 1979.

Janet lives in Moberly with her husband, Bob. Their son, Robbie is a senior at Westminster College in Fulton. She is a deacon at Coates St. Presbyterian Church, and a former President and member of Chapter KJ, PEO. In her spare time she works part-time at the Coach Light of Moberly. She enjoys cooking, canning and watching soccer.

View More Awards