HEDIR, for Health Educators

Health Education Hall of Fame

Dr. Michael Pejsach, owner and head master of the Red Dragon Martial Arts School, has been an innovator among health educators.  As is common for innovators, some of their innovations are controversial.  Michael launched the American Health Education Association (AHEA) in 1995.  Many of us spoke vigorously against this action on the basis that, rather than accomplishing his goal of creating a single professional organization for health educators, it added another to a field already splintered among too many organizations.  However, within AHEA, Michael launched the Health Education Hall of Fame.  This was an innovation that received broader support within the health education profession.

While many health educators supported the Health Education Hall of Fame, some of us were critical of the method by which health educators were being elected to it.  Also, there was a flaw in the software that was being used that allowed abuse of the voting process.  I am unsure whether Michael became discouraged by the criticism or overburdened by the effects of hurricanes that have ravaged southern Louisisana since 2005, but the process of electing new members to the Health Education Hall of Fame has been dormant for several years.

Should Michael be encouraged to revive the Health Education Hall of Fame?  If so, how?  Would a fund drive be useful?  If so, would it be wise to encourage Michael to form an advisory board to help select the software and provide counsel on the process of electing members to the Hall?  Would it be wise to encourage Michael to transfer the Health Education Hall of Fame to the Coalition of National Health Education Organizations, the National Center for Health Education, or another entity that has greater resouces for sustaning it?

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