for immediate release

Contact: Kristine Wright
(206) 543-4336
(206) 321-9632 (cell)
wrightk1@uw.edu

Betty Bekemeier Receives Public Health Leadership Award

October 1, 2019 Seattle — The University of Washington School of Nursing announced that the Washington State Public Health Association has named Betty Bekemeier, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN the recipient of it’s Public Health Leadership Award.

Bekemeier is a nationally recognized public health systems and practice-based researcher with a particular focus on the structures and practices of state and local health departments in relation to health outcomes and reducing disparities. Her most recent research focuses on the health of rural residents in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska. Bekemeier and her colleagues are three years into a five-year effort known as the SHARE-NW project to identify, gather, and visualize data in four northwest states to help rural communities more effectively address health disparities and achieve health equity. The SHARE-NW project is tied to the UW’s Population Health Initiative, a university-wide effort to solve some of the most difficult problems facing communities around the world.

“Betty Bekemeier is an outstanding nurse researcher and advocate for health equity for all populations,” said Azita Emami, Emami, PhD, MSN, BSN, RN, FAAN, the Robert G. and Jean A. Reid Endowed Executive Dean, of the UW School of Nursing. “I am so proud of her dedication to nurse research and leadership in advancing public health systems by providing the evidence needed to effectively and equitably promote health in communities. This recognition is well-deserved.”

About the Washington State Public Health Association’s Public Health Leadership Award

The Public Health Leadership Award recognizes leadership competence and demonstration in the areas of public health advocacy, research, education, and/or equity and social justice. The nominee must have substantive experience in the public health field. 

About the School of Nursing

Celebrating more than 100 years in nursing education and research, the University of Washington’s School of Nursing is consistently a top-ranked nursing school, according to U.S. News & World Report. Ranked No. 3 in research funding from the National Institutes of Health, the UW School of Nursing is a national and international leader in improving the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities. The school addresses society’s most pressing challenges in health care through innovative teaching, award winning research and community service. For more information, visit www.nursing.uw.edu.

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