2015 Kansas Public Health Association Awards – Summary of Winners
Samuel J. Crumbine Medal: Robert Moser, MD
Nominated by: Mark Thompson
As the highest award given by KPHA, only those who truly merit such recognition should be
considered for the honor. Dr. Moser is just such a person, having made and continuing to make
a difference in the health of thousands of Kansans. Robert Moser, MD, is currently the
Executive Director for the Kansas Heart and Stroke Collaborative at the University of Kansas
Hospital. He also is serving as a professor in public health practice for the KU School of
Medicine in the Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health.
Prior to this role, Dr. Moser served as the Secretary and Director of Health for the Kansas
Department of Health and Environment from January 2011 through November 2014. While at
KDHE, he oversaw the statewide development of Healthy Kansans 2020. He held a series of
listening sessions around the state regarding the integration of public health and primary care.
Also, Dr. Moser took time, monthly, to meet with leaders from KPHA and other associations,
reinforcing his acknowledgment of the importance of public health to the state of Kansas.
Dr. Moser was a family practice physician in Greeley County on the Kansas-Colorado border. He
was the medical director of Greeley County Health Services, a rural health care organization
recognized for its innovation and ability to attract health care providers. He was the 2006
Kansas Family Physician of the Year and practiced family medicine for 22 years in rural Kansas.
In his new position, Dr. Moser will oversee collaborative programs and resources funded by a
federal Health Care Innovation Award received in partnership with Hays Medical Center. The
Kansas Heart and Stroke Collaborative will bring systemic change to treatment for heart disease
and stroke in rural populations. The initiative will use tele-health technology, data exchanges,
preventive screenings, case management and patient education. The collaborative’s members
include the critical access hospitals in Cheyenne, Gove, Ness, Norton, Pawnee, Phillips, Russell,
Sheridan, Thomas and Trego counties, and regional safety net clinics in Hays and Great Bend.
In recognition of Dr. Robert Moser’s meritorious service and commitment to the improvement
of the health of Kansans, he is most deserving of the Samuel J. Crumbine Medal!
Special Service Award: Michael Cates, DVM, MPH
Nominated by: Mark Thompson
Michael Cates, DVM, represents a rare combination of specializations with both DVM and MPH
degrees. As such, he has provided tremendous contributions to Kansas by highlighting the
importance of animal health to public health, a connection unfamiliar to the general public.
Dr. Cates serves as Director of the MPH program and the James Nichols Professor of Veterinary
Medicine in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University. He received his
DVM from Texas A&M University and his MPH degree from the University of Texas, School of
Public Health. He is specialty board certified by the American College of Veterinary Preventive
Medicine.
Prior to moving to Kansas in 2009, Mike spent over 28 years in the United States Army
Veterinary Corps, focused on various aspects of veterinary medicine and public health in
multiple locations around the world. During his final four years of military service, Mike served
concurrently as the Chief of the Veterinary Corps, the Commanding General of the Army’s main
public health organization and the senior executive on preventive medicine to the Army
Surgeon General.
In Kansas, Mike has helped improve the interdisciplinary graduate public health program at
KSU, growing student enrollment from 26 students in late 2008 to over 90 today, and aiding the
program in receiving accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health in 2014. He
has served as a director and officer on the boards of the Mercy Regional Health Center in
Manhattan and the One Health Commission in Washington DC.
Mike has been active in the Kansas Public Health Systems Group and the Kansas Public Health
Workforce Development Coordinating Council. He is a member of the Flint Hills Wellness
Coalition and the Riley County Public Health Advisory Council.
Mike currently serves as
Director-at-Large for the Kansas Public Health Association. Mike has created a tremendous
footprint in Kansas public health in a relatively short period of time. His contributions to the
KSU College of Veterinary Medicine MPH program, KPHA, and other initiatives with which he
has been involved will be felt for years, if not decades, to come.
Dorothy Woodin Award: Georgetta Schoenfield, RN, BSN
Nominated by: Cindy Mullen and Alisha Schwartz
Georgetta Schoenfield, RN, BSN, is an exemplary leader in the home health field and
exemplifies a public health nurse. With Georgetta at the helm of the Logan County Health
Department, all programs are organized and function exceptionally well! She has practiced as
an RN/Administrator during her twenty-eight year career at the Health Department. She has
demonstrated exceptional leadership and service to the department entities, as well as her
commitment and compassion to all of her patients.
Georgetta is always willing to take the time to listen and give advice and help when needed for
all of her staff. Georgetta has served the Logan County Health Department and county in
numerous ways in promotion, prevention, and protection – the cornerstones of public health.
She has been instrumental in establishing, growing and maintaining services such as
immunizations for all ages, daycare/school entry physicals, blood draws, and the School Nurse
for USD 275. She has collaborated with neighboring counties to provide family planning and
the Women Infant and Children’s program. She has been pivotal in filling a gap for elderly in
Logan County by providing in home visits by Registered Nurses to access patients, provide
medication services and act as a liaison between patients and the medical provider.
She has been influential in promoting wellness through a variety of activities to include, Walk
Kansas, Logan County’s Annual Health Fair, flu clinics, Movie Critics Nights, Students Working
Against Tobacco, Chronic Disease Self- Management Classes an overseen the development of
the community’s health assessment team.
Georgetta has gone above and beyond as a leader in public health in Kansas. She has balanced
extensive responsibilities and has made a lasting impression in Logan County!
Corporate Public Health Service Award: Oral Health Kansas Inc.
Nominated by: Pam Smith
In 2003 a group of stakeholders came together to try to make a difference in the oral health of all
Kansans. In response to a report card from Oral Health America ranking Kansas as the fifth worst state
in the nation in its commitment to a sound, statewide oral health program, Oral Health Kansas was
born. Stakeholders in Kansas recognized the critical issues identified within the report and determined
the need for a statewide oral health coalition to coordinate efforts aimed at improving oral health in
the state.
Oral Health Kansas is dedicated to promoting the importance of lifelong dental health by shaping policy
and educating the public so Kansans know that all mouths matter. Over the last ten years, oral health
policy has surged into prominence in the overall health policy arena. Oral Health Kansas has played a
major role in the efforts to raise the profile of oral health as a policy area and public health need in
Kansas.
In 2005, Oral Health Kansas established the Dental Champions Leadership Program. The purpose of
the program is to create a broad, skilled statewide network of people committed to improving oral
health in the state. Since its inception, there have been seven classes developing over 100 Dental
Champions to advocate for the oral health of all Kansans. They were also instrumental in securing
appropriations and grants in 2006 to establish the state’s first Advanced Education in General Dentistry
program at Wichita State University.
Oral Health Kansas’ Advocacy Committee develops the organization’s Public Policy Priorities annually.
The priorities reflect the fact that Oral Health Kansas is the statewide advocacy organization dedicated
to promoting the importance of lifelong dental health by shaping policy and educating the public so
Kansans know that all mouths matter. The priority areas are intentionally broad and far-reaching, and
are intended to allow staff and Advocacy Committee members to work on a variety of topics within the
broad goals, depending on what the legislative session holds. The priorities are also written to be as
inclusive of their valued partners as possible. For some priorities, it is appropriate for Oral Health
Kansas to lead the lobbying effort. On others, OHK takes a partnership position and works closely with
another lead organization. Their three focus areas are Increase Access, Increase Financial Capacity,
and Improve Oral Health. They demonstrate this commitment through testimony, community
coalitions, state and national partnerships to support Medicaid expansion, Tobacco Tax Increase,
Parents as Teacher program, KanCare Oversight Committee, Kansas Department of Aging and Disability
Services budget, Kansas Department of Health and Environment budget, Registered Dental Practitioner
and Community Water Fluoridation issues. Above all, they are instrumental in educating the public
about the importance of oral health and how it affects overall health. Oral Health Kansas in a short
period of time has carefully structured a framework to influence decision makers, health professionals
and Kansans for better overall health.
Jane Addams Award: Sherry Vierthaler, LBSW
Nominated by: Mitzi Hesser
Sherry Vierthaler, LBSW, has worked at the Harper County Health and Home Health Agency
since March 2004. She made a career change leaving SRS to join the public health force. She
brought a bright smiling face and a hard working heart to this department. She came to the
Administrator’s position at a time that there had been quite a few changes in this department
and she was the stability they needed.
She has been a valuable asset to public health with her expertise in policy and record keeping.
We can always depend on her to get the correct words on paper and keep the documentation
we may need for future references.
In her own words, “We know that having a healthy population builds stronger communities and
we care about the people and communities that we work, live, raise our kids and participate
in.” She adheres to this in all she does, and in the decisions she makes.
When asking her staff about Sherry, they described her with these statements:

Sherry is someone who goes above and beyond for both her employees and for her
community. Decisions are made with the highest consideration for the populations we
serve, and she has always been an advocate for those who may not be able to speak for
themselves. I am so grateful to work with such an amazing boss who encourages and
motivates our team to work hard for our community. We are so lucky to have her!

Sherry puts major emphasis on customer service. We never say, “That’s not my job,” we
are expected to help in any way we can. And, all of us work together very well.
Public Health Policy Maker of the Year Award: City of Wichita
Nominated by: Bike Walk Wichita
The City of Wichita has recognized the importance and linkage of community health and the
built environment. In 2012, the City acknowledged that in order to improve public health,
there was a need to upgrade the community’s biking and walking infrastructure. A decision
was made to hire a consultant, Toole Design, to develop a Master Bicycle Plan [MBP].
A steering committee was formed that included elected officials, community stakeholders and
City staff. There were approximately 50 public meetings and two ‘open houses’ held during
the year. There were approximately 4,000 area residents who provided input at these public
forums! This input was reviewed, prioritized and a 10-year written Plan was developed.
In November 2013, the City Council unanimously approved the Plan; there were no dissenting
views expressed by the public! A part of the MBP called for the formation of an official City
‘Bike/Pedestrian Advisory Board’ [WBPAB]. With the able assistance of the City’s Planning staff,
the board was formed in August 2013 and has been meeting monthly ever since!
In the interim, City staff developed Multi-Modal and Street Guidance Plans. As a result, all
street improvements will be reviewed through the ‘lens’ of these two plans by city staff from
various departments.
Not to rest on its laurels, a decision was made to create a Master Pedestrian Plan [MPP] as well.
A steering committee was formed, public meetings held and, ultimately, the Master Pedestrian
Plan was passed by the City Council. As a result of the City’s political will, local, state and
federal grants were secured to fund the ‘top ten’ prioritized projects [both on and off street]
from the Master Bicycle Plan! Many of the projects have been completed with several more
being completed in the upcoming months!
The Mayor, Manager and City Council have shown great leadership and courage in getting these
built environment projects completed! The City has championed the idea of public and private
partnerships. At a recent ‘ribbon cutting’ ceremony for the Schweiter Bikeway improvements,
the Mayor and Council Member Williams celebrated with a crowd of 100 area residents and
neighborhood association members in attendance! Following the ribbon cutting, there was a
‘slow roll’ bike ride with cyclists of all ages and abilities touring the new bikeway!
President’s Award: Tanya Honderick, RN, MS, MPH, PHCNS-BC
At the President’s discretion
The President’s Award is reserved for those who demonstrate an unprecedented commitment
to public health in Kansas. Tanya Honderick, RN, MS, MPH, PHCNS-BC he is director of the
Master of Public Health (KU-MPH) program at the University of Kansas Medical Center in
Kansas City. In this role, she is involved in recruitment of a highly qualified and diverse student
body, coordination and implementation of admissions and enrollment procedures,
development of program concentrations and curriculum, program planning and evaluation, and
accreditation activities. She has served on the executive board of the KPHA as Secretary,
President-Elect, President, and currently as Immediate Past President. She has served on the
Kansas Public Health Workforce Development Coordinating Council since 2010. Her clinical
experience spans a decade in public health, with particular interest in maternal and child
health. She is a proud graduate of the University of Kansas with a B.S.N. and with a joint M.S. in
Nursing/M.P.H. She is ANCC Board Certified as a Clinical Specialist in Community Health
Nursing. Past honors include traveling to China in 2006 with People to People International as a
Community Health Nurse Delegate and completion of the Kansas Public Health Leadership
Institute in 2008. She is a 2014 fellow of the National Leadership Academy for the Public’s
Health. All of this is quite impressive, but it doesn’t convey Tanya’s true importance to public
health in Kansas, in general, and KPHA specifically. The real questions that need to be asked are
“Where would KPHA be without Tanya Honderick?” and “Would KPHA even exist without Tanya
Honderick?” Tanya assumed the President-Elect and President roles for KPHA at very critical
times in its history. KPHA was navigating the choppy and unclear waters associated with
changing the way it was structured. Funding, direction, and the future of KPHA were all
unknowns. Through Tanya’s leadership, dedication, diligent work, and vision, KPHA stands as a
vibrant, growing association.