As Rev. Dr. Doreleena Sammons Hackett steps down from her role as the Director of Grants Administration at the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE), we celebrate her six years of dedicated leadership and contributions.
Reflecting on her tenure, Dr. Sammons Hackett stated, “SOPHE was already on the map, but it further opened up its reach into the health equity and inclusion area,” leading to national impacts on school systems, chronic disease management, and professional health education.
Proudest Achievements at SOPHE
Throughout her time at SOPHE, Dr. Sammons Hackett was key in several initiatives that strengthened SOPHE’s mission and impact:
- REACH Program’s 20th Anniversary Celebration: This milestone event celebrated the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Program with months of activities, fact sheets, timelines, and awards, culminating in a keynote speech by former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher.
- Routes to Destinations Project: Aimed at improving health outcomes within African American and Hispanic/Latino communities, this project addressed critical social determinants of health.
- School Health Project: Expanded resources for school employee wellness by incorporating elements such as social determinants of health and social and emotional learning (SEL) to provide holistic support for educators.
- Arthritis Project: Developed a comprehensive toolkit and asynchronous learning modules to support arthritis management, empowering individuals to better manage their condition.
- Step-Up Pipelines Program: A mentorship initiative designed to support Hispanic/Latino students from Hispanic-serving institutions, equipping them with skills and knowledge to enter the public health field.
Guiding Philosophy and Vision for SOPHE
Dr. Sammons Hackett attributes her success to a philosophy centered on partnership and collaboration.
“Silos have to be broken down, and opportunities to work across programs must be fostered,” she explained, emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of public health. By prioritizing collaboration and producing high-quality, evidence-based research, SOPHE has secured funding and expanded its influence.
As she bids farewell, Dr. Sammons Hackett encourages SOPHE to continue its critical work in advocacy and program development.
“SOPHE is the major association for Certified Health Educators and the health education profession. Funding for infrastructure and programs is critical to SOPHE’s existence,” she emphasized.
She envisions SOPHE’s future as a key partner in promoting health equity, health promotion, and health education.
Emerging Challenges in Public Health
Looking ahead to her future as a Public Health Consultant, Dr. Sammons Hackett remains dedicated to addressing the most pressing public health challenges. She identifies climate change and artificial intelligence as emerging trends that will shape the field but stresses the need to continue focusing on infectious disease spread and chronic disease prevention.
“The health of racial/ethnic minority populations must be a priority,” she stated, highlighting Black maternal and infant mortality as critical areas of concern.
Rev. Dr. Doreleena Sammons Hackett’s dedication and relentless pursuit of health equity have left an indelible mark on SOPHE. As we celebrate her achievements, we also look forward to SOPHE’s continued impact, building upon the strong foundation she has contributed to.
She can be reached at: dsammons.posey@gmail.com and 609.462.7257.
– By Shrutika Damle
