By Mario Lotmore | Lynnwood Times Staff
Brenna Hoppe, an environmental health specialist with the Snohomish Health District, was presented virtually with the “Rookie of the Year” award from the Washington State Environmental Health Association.
“I was very surprised and honored to have been recognized for this award. My time here at the Snohomish Health District has been wonderful, and the work that I do is all thanks to my kind, hardworking colleagues,” Hoppe told the Lynnwood Times.
The statewide “Rookie of the Year” award recognizes a new member of the environmental health profession who:
- Has earned the respect of peers for outstanding service in the promotion of, and contribution to, the environmental health profession;
- Does their job well, taking responsibilities seriously and continually strives for excellence;
- Shows commitment to the environmental health profession by giving of their ideas and efforts;
- Goes beyond what is expected; and
- Contributes to the advancement of the environmental health profession and everything the job and title represents.
Hoppe has been with SHD since August 2018 and is an environmental health specialist working with the Food Safety team. In addition to inspections of food establishments, Hoppe develops guidelines for donated food distribution from food establishments to food banks.
The Washington State Environmental Health Association (WSEHA) has been recognizing award recipients since 1962. According to its website, “It is the policy of the Washington State Environmental Health Association that every effort shall be made to identify and reward deserving environmental health practitioners through special recognition by their peers.”
The “Rookie of the Year” award is one of a handful of awards presented annually from WSEHA. Other awards and recipients this year include:
- Jack B. Hatlen Presidents’ Award – Ashlee-Rose Ferguson, WSDA/WSEHA IHC Chair
- John P. Nordin Outstanding Sanitarian Award – Holly Erdman, Kittitas County Health
- Cynd M. Treser Memorial Scholarship – Scyler Li, University of Washington
WSEHA is a non-profit professional and educational organization to enhance individual and collective expertise, promotes professional growth, and revitalizes Environmental Health endeavors. For more information about WSEHA visit https://www.wseha.org.
