A4. Changing the Culture and Definition of Health in School Settings

Dr. Jody Vogelzang, a nationally recognized speaker, researcher, registered dietitian, and health education specialist, is an expert in community health who has spent the last two decades teaching in higher education.  Her peers have formally recognized her for excellence in professional practice (Excellence in Public Health Nutrition (AND) and Achievements in Public Health Nutrition (APA) and for dedication to the high standards of the nutrition and dietetics profession through active participation, leadership, and devotion to serving others in nutrition and dietetics, as well as allied health fields (AND Medallion Award).  
She holds a bachelor’s degree in dietetics from Michigan State University, a Master's Degree in Health Science from Grand Valley State University, a Master's of Arts in Biology from Miami University, and a Doctorate in Health Services specializing in community health from Walden University. She regularly volunteers in professional and community organizations locally, nationally, and internationally.

Dr. Elisa Beth McNeill is an Instructional Professor of Public Health at Texas A&M University [TAMU]. Beth is a 40-year teaching veteran having experience at all academic levels. Beth teaches courses in human sexuality, health pedagogy, technology for educators, and community & school health methodology. She is a co-author of the textbook, Health Education: Creating Strategies for School and Community Health. Beth has served on committees to update the Health Education Code of Ethics, The HESPA II project with NCHEC, the Health Education Terminology project and most recently co-chaired the committee to update the National Health Education Standards (3rd edition).

Dr. Meagan Shipley received her PhD in Health Behavior from Indiana University. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor, teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses in school and community health. She has updated several courses to incorporate high impact practices, which include service learning, writing intensive courses, capstone projects and courses, and study abroad fieldtrips. Dr. Shipley is the faculty advisor for the health education honorary, Eta Sigma Gamma - Alpha Pi chapter. She also received the Dr. Robert Snyovitz Emerging Professional Award from the American School Health Association in 2018.

Mary Lauren Salvatore is the Integrated Wellness Coordinator in the Office of Whole Child Supports at the Georgia Department of Education. In her role, Mary Lauren works with a dynamic team of wellness-minded individuals to build awareness around the importance of whole child education, specifically as it relates to Health Barriers to Learning, staff well-being, and local wellness policies. She enjoys the opportunity to build relationships with inter-agency divisions and external organizations who share the mission of integrating all aspects of student well-being. Mary Lauren received her Masters in Public Health at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, where she continued to work in the School of Medicine?s Department of Human Genetics prior to starting at GADOE in January 2019.

Dr. Barrington has been with the University of West Florida (UWF) for 17 years and holds several leadership positions on campus and in the community. She is committed to providing the next generation of health educators with opportunities to gain valuable experience through high-impact practices in the classroom that translate to the health profession.

Dr. Wirth is a faculty member at the UWF in the Department of Movement Sciences and Health. He received a PhD from the University of Florida in Health and Human Performance. His research interests include physical activity promotion and education for children in childcare settings.

Dr. Shannon McMorrow is an Associate Professor in the School of Interdisciplinary Health Programs at Western Michigan University (WMU). She has worked in public health for 25 years as an educator, advocate, and academic in diverse and multidisciplinary settings across the U.S., Belize, Uganda, and Thailand. She conducts community engaged qualitative health research, specializing in Photovoice and longitudinal Photovoice, to understand experiences of marginalized populations and promote global health, gender, and racial equity. Dr. McMorrow serves as both a SOPHE Board of Trustees member and on the editorial board for the SOPHE journal, health Promotion Practice. Other accomplishments include publishing a co-authored book on Photovoice in 2021, serving as a U.S. Fulbright to Uganda in 2022-2023, receiving the WMU emerging scholar award in 2023, and serving as a U.S. Fulbright Specialist to Thailand in 2025.

Faculty Specialist II in the Interdisciplinary Health Programs at Western Michigan University. Leader in curriculum design, workship facilitation, learner support, professional life coach?

Dani Loebs is an Account Director at Rescue Agency. She leads the CalFresh Healthy Living SNAP-Ed campaign with the California Department of Public Health and focuses on nutrition education and obesity prevention messaging. During this time, she has helped to originate the statewide day of action movement through Rethink Your Drink Day, which encourages SNAP-eligible populations to drink more water and fewer sugar-sweetened beverages, and Healthy Snack Day, which promotes healthier snack choices to the same audience. She has overseen the implementation and evolution of over 1,000 of these local events as they transitioned from in-person tabling to interactive virtual experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.