Pat McKone, Director at American Lung Association received the 2022 "Outstanding Contributions to Public Health Education" Award!

McKone is a Senior Director with the American Lung Association. She was nominated by six colleagues from around the state. McKone has helped pave the way for critical public health policies including the Freedom to Breathe Act and raising the tobacco sale age to 21. McKone was also the first person inspired to take action on the use of commercial tobacco in the substance use setting using policies, systems, and environmental change, as well as initiate a coalition surrounding the goal of reducing disparities related to the impact of commercial tobacco on people with mental illness and/or substance use disorders. This ‘first of its kind’ coalition is called “the Lung Mind Alliance” and convenes quarterly with partners in healthcare, advocacy, and public health.

“Pat has been a leader in public health education throughout the years and is what many of us would call a “mover” and “shaker,” said one of McKone’s nominators, Liz Heimer, former American Lung Association staff. “Pat’s work in public policy has made a significant impact on the many communities across Minnesota that she has served.”

Kelly Kunkel, Professor at the University of MN Extension received the 2022 Health Educator of the Year Award!

Some of her work includes working with food shelves, guiding the SHIP program grantees in their work in healthy eating, working with childcare providers and parents, and healthy school environments. Kelly recently achieved Extension Professor status at U of M Extension, the highest level one can receive in her position.

In the food shelf world, she was just published in a journal for her “Food Shelf Nudging” work. She was instrumental in setting food shelves up to highlight healthy food items and was an early leader in thinking about nutrition security and not just food security for food shelf users. She also helped organize and facilitate a statewide assessment of food shelves during the height of COVID and is still connecting that amazing network of food shelves to this day.

“Kelly has contributed so much in the food shelf world!” says colleague, Beth Labenz. She has also worked in partnership with colleagues at U of M Extension to start the curriculum, “Start Strong,” which is key in reaching childcare providers and the families they care for throughout the state with resources for eating healthy, moving more, and accessing healthy food.

Start Strong has received awards from the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences at the state, regional and national levels. 

Student Representative, Katie Stapleton, received MNSOPHE's 2022 Student Recognition Award!

Stapleton is a graduate student at Minnesota State University Mankato. She was nominated by university professors Mary Kramer and Emily Forsyth. Stapleton is passionate about improving health disparities with environmental health. She envisions utilizing education to improve health in underrepresented and underserved communities as a means to improve health equity. Upon starting graduate school, Stapleton stepped into two leadership roles - one as the graduate student representative on the board for MNSOPHE, and the other as Vice President for the MSU-Mankato Chapter of Eta Sigma Gamma, an honorary society. 

“Katie participates on various planning committees, and has demonstrated understanding and sensitivity for all cultures and values,” said one of Stapleton’s nominators, Dr. Mary Kramer. “We are thankful for Katie’s contributions and look forward to her continued leadership throughout 2022-2023.”