SW New Mexico News

Elizabeth England-Kennedy, an assistant professor of public health at New Mexico State University, has been awarded the 2024 Karen Denard Goldman Mentor Award from the Society for Public Health Education. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the preparation and performance of health educators. England-Kennedy expressed her gratitude for the recognition, stating, "I am honored to be selected as a winner for this esteemed national award, especially because it recognizes my work with students and peers, which is at the core of our work as professors."

Becky Pearson, head of the Department of Public Health Sciences at NMSU, commended England-Kennedy's dedication to students, both in the classroom and as a research mentor. Pearson stated, "Our faculty are doing exceptional work, and this award is a testimony to Dr. England-Kennedy’s commitment to our students."

Jagdish Khubchandani, a professor of public health at NMSU, nominated England-Kennedy for the award and emphasized the significance of her achievement, saying, "This is a very prestigious award, and Dr. England-Kennedy exemplifies the quality of interdisciplinary public health education provided by our institution."

England-Kennedy's areas of expertise include health and culture, health equity, social and environmental justice, behavioral health, suicide, suicidality, and homelessness. She holds a doctoral degree in medical anthropology from the University of Arizona and a master’s degree in public health from NMSU. Before joining NMSU, she served as an assistant professor and program coordinator at Rhode Island College.

The Society for Public Health Education is an organization that supports leaders in public health and health education to advance healthy and equitable communities globally. For more information about the award and other recipients, interested individuals can visit the Society for Public Health Education's website.

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