WASHINGTON, D. C., – The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) is proud to announce that Ethan Greenblatt and Alvin Tran will be awarded the 21st Century Health Education Practice Scholarships during the 2025 Annual Conference in Long Beach, April 16-18.
“I am incredibly honored to receive the 21st Century Health Education Practice Scholarship,” said Greenblatt, a Health Education Supervisor at the St. Louis County Department of Public Health in Missouri. “Attending my first SOPHE Conference in 2024 ignited my passion for the organization and its mission. Being recognized among dedicated professionals in health education and promotion is a truly rewarding milestone in my career.”
Tran, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Population Health and Leadership at the University of New Haven, echoed similar sentiments.
“I was overjoyed when I learned I had been selected for this award. SOPHE’s Annual Conference is always a highlight of my year, offering an invaluable opportunity to engage with fellow health educators, exchange ideas, and continue developing in this field.”
The scholarships provide financial support to SOPHE members (National/Chapter) who are health education specialists and practitioners to attend SOPHE’s Annual Conference or Advocacy Summit.
Greenblatt oversees community health education initiatives in St. Louis, focusing on COVID-19, MPOX, and STI prevention.
“As a leader in health education, I am committed to advancing health equity and improving health outcomes in the communities I serve,” he said.
In addition to his work at the local level, Greenblatt is an active member of SOPHE Midwest, NACCHO’s Leadership & Workforce Development Workgroup, and NNPHI’s Public Health Leads Steering Committee.
“This award grants me an incredible opportunity to network with other professionals and learn about innovative practices that reduce disparities through health education.”
Tran leads the WeEmbody (WE) Lab at the University of New Haven, a research working group that trains emerging health educators and promotes health equity.
“Each year, I train dozens of emerging health educators. This year, I am thrilled to bring three undergraduate students with me to SOPHE, making this experience even more meaningful,” he shared. “The work we do in my lab directly reflects SOPHE’s mission to eliminate health disparities and train the next generation of health educators.”
A dedicated mentor and advocate for public health education, Tran also played a key role in founding SOPHE’s Connecticut Chapter.
Both Greenblatt and Tran embody the spirit of this scholarship through their dedication to leadership, mentorship, and the advancement of health education.
“Education is a lifelong journey,” said Tran. “As a professor and health educator, I am grateful for this scholarship, which supports my continued professional development.”
SOPHE will present all awards and scholarships to public health professionals, health education researchers, faculty, programs, and practitioners at the 2025 SOPHE Annual Conference in April in Long Beach. These awards and scholarships recognize significant advancements in the profession of health education and health promotion and outstanding contributions of well-established and rising stars to improving the public’s health.
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About SOPHE
The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) is a nonprofit association that supports leaders in public health, health education and promotion to advance healthy and equitable communities across the globe. SOPHE members work in health care settings, communities, organizations, schools, universities, worksites, and in local, state and federal government agencies. For more information visit www.sophe.org.
