Iowa Environmental Association "Rookie of the Year" Award Copyrighted
May 20, 2019
City of Dubuque Presentation(s) # 2.
ITEM TITLE: lowa Environmental Association "Rookie of the Year"
Award
SUMMARY: Public Health Specialist Mary Rose Corrigan will present
the lowa Environmental Health Association "Rookie of the
Year" award to Cityof Dubuque Environmental Sanitarian
Katie Baker.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Katie Baker Receives "Rookie of the Year"Award- City Manager Memo
MVM Memo
Memo Staff Memo
Nomination Supporting Documentation
THE CITY OF Dubuque
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Environmental Sanitarian Katie Baker Receives lowa Environmental
Association "Rookie of the Year" Award
DATE: May 16, 2019
Public Health Specialist Mary Rose Corrigan will present the lowa Environmental Health
Association "Rookie of the Year" award to City of Dubuque Environmental Sanitarian
Katie Baker.
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Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Mary Rose Corrigan, Public Health Specialist
Katie Baker, Environmental Sanitarian
Tim Link, Environmental Sanitarian
THE CTTY OF Dubuque
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TO: Mike Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Mary Rose Corrigan, Public Health Specialist
SUBJECT: Katie Baker Receives Rookie of the Year Award
DATE: May 15, 2019
At this year's lowa Governor's Public Health Conference, Katie Baker received the
"Rookie of the Year Award" from the lowa Environmental Health Association. The
Rookie of the Year must be a member in good standing of IEHA, have no more than 3
years of experience, nor have had prior experience from any previous environmental
employment. This award is given to a rookie employee who has distinguished
themselves by meritorious service to their agency and the field of environmental health.
Katie was nominated by her coworker, Environmental Sanitarian, Tim Link, who stated:
"Katie began her employment with the City of Dubuque Health Services in February of
2017. Katie performs food, pool, tanning, tattoo, and nuisance inspections for our
department. Since beginning her employment Katie has demonstrated a high degree of
leadership and problem-solving skills which she uses daily to get the task at hand
completed in an efficient and professional manner.
Katie designed and implemented a list serve for all food operators to allow for regular
communication between the health department and the food establishment. The list
serve sends a monthly newsletter that includes code and rule changes, or other
important information.
Katie has demonstrated a good understanding of the importance of a sanitarians job in
disease prevention and works diligently to promote environmental health to better
protect public health. Katie educates food operators on the potential health
consequences of food violations and offering resources to assist in their understanding.
Katie received a training grant from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO)
to further her knowledge in the risk-based inspection and retail food program standards.
Katie also has a goal of becoming a registered sanitarian and is currently researching
advanced degree options." (See attached for complete award nomination)
I nominate Katie Kieffer for the I EHA Rookie of The Year Award. Katie began her employment with the
City of Dubuque Health Services in February of 2017. Katie performs food, pool, tanning,tattoo, and
nuisance inspections for our department. Since beginning her employment Katie has demonstrated a
high degree of leadership and problem-solving skills which she uses daily to get the task at hand
completed in an efficient and professional manner. Katie often gives the operator choices on how they
can respond to her for follow-up on violations.She also provides examples of what food establishments
can do to correct violations.
Katie demonstrates excellent communication skills with our customers to ensure they understand what
she is trying to get them to do or complete. Katie designed and implemented a list serve for all food
operators to allow for regular communication between the health department and the food
establishment.The list serve will include a monthly newsletter that will include code and rule changes,
or other important information. She also created a document,which included pictures and visuals, to
explain the 2013 Food Code changes.
Katie has approached and completed the required training courses in a very short timeframe
demonstrating her desire to learn and, to be a good well-educated sanitarian. Katie completed all the
required pre-inspection courses and inspections in less than one month. Additionally,she has completed
several FEMA courses, handles civil citations in court, and performs independent nuisance
investigations. Katie frequently asks questions and seeks out information on her own as to why we do
things a certain way. She looks for efficiencies in how we approach our work to enhance customer
service and get the task at hand completed in a timely manner.
Katie has demonstrated a good understanding of the importance of a sanitariansjob in disease
prevention and works diligently to promote environmental health to better protect public health. On
numerous occasions I have observed Katie educating food operators on the potential health
consequences of food violations and offering resources to assist in their understanding. Katie attended
Simpson College where she obtained a B.S. in Biology while also being captain of the volleyball team, an
excellent example of her leadership.Additionally, Katie is studying to take the RS/REHS exam. Katie has
submitted and received an AFDO Training grant to further her knowledge in the risk-based inspection
and retail food program standards. Katie has a goal of becoming a registered sanitarian and our
department is encouraging her to obtain an advanced degree in a public health field. Katie is currently
researching advanced degree options.
In conclusion, I respectfully request IEHA consider Katie Kieffer for the Rookie of The Year award as I feel
she demonstrates and performs her sanitarian duties at a very high level, especially as a newcomer to
our profession. Additionally, Katie will continue to expand her knowledge of public health as she
completes further training and gains experience through practice and application of the knowledge she
currently holds. With her skillset, having Katie on staff will allow our department to be more active in
IEHA and other organizations.
Respectfully
Tim Link REHS,CP-FS
Environmental Sanitarian
City of Dubuque Health Services