Award Winners Honored at AIHA Connect 2024
At AIHA Connect 2024, AIHA recognized individuals and groups for outstanding service to the occupational and environmental health and safety profession. The award winners were announced during the Opening General Session at the Greater Columbus Convention Center on Monday, May 20.
Steven Jahn, MBA, CIH, FAIHA, is the recipient of the 2024 Donald E. Cummings Memorial Award for Outstanding OEHS Practice. Jahn took the lead in developing “Establishing a Process for the Setting of Real-Time Detection System Alarms” (White Paper), a white paper that identifies a five-step process for selecting fit-for-purpose sensor systems with properly configured alarms. Jahn was also cited for his invaluable contributions to several AIHA committees and his role in organizing sessions at AIHA’s annual conference. Jahn is a technical advisor for Savannah River Mission Completion LLC and president of Jahn Industrial Hygiene LLC.
Named for AIHA’s third president, the Cummings award recognizes outstanding contributions to the knowledge and practice of the OEHS profession through demonstrated practical application of scientific knowledge, advances in the practice of Total Worker Health, expansion of the profession through active collaboration via alliances and partnerships, and the creation of tools applicable beyond the OEHS profession.
Benjamin Roberts, PhD, CIH, received the 2024 Kusnetz Award for Outstanding Achievement by an Early Career Professional. Roberts has published 22 papers in peer-reviewed journals since 2016 as well as technical reports for prestigious organizations such as the World Health Organization. Roberts’ research focus on evaluating noise exposure has led to significant insights and practical implications for worker protection. Roberts is the supervising risk scientist at Benchmark Risk Group.
The Kusnetz award recognizes an individual who exhibits high ethical standards and technical abilities, has provided for the highest standards of health and safety protection for employees for whom they are responsible, and shows promise of leadership in the IH profession. The award is named for past AIHA president Howard Kusnetz and sponsored by Florence Kusnetz.
The Hierarchy of Controls Task Team received the 2024 President’s Award for Distinguished Service to AIHA. The team, who drafted a forthcoming white paper on the hierarchy of controls, includes Nancy E. Johnson, DrPH, MSPH, CIH, project chair; David S. Abrams, CIH, MSPH, FAIHA; Alexander T. Brown, CIH, CSP, MSPH; Cheryl L. Marcham, PhD, CIH, CSP, CHMM, FAIHA; Georgi Popov, PhD, QEP, CSP, ARM, SMS, CMC, FAIHA; and Ashwani Shukla, CIH, CSP, SMS.
The president’s award recognizes distinguished and exemplary service in the advancement of the OEHS profession and the unique technical and professional contributions made in the support and advancement of AIHA’s mission and vision.
Laurence Svirchev, MA, BSc, CIH, received the 2024 Yant Award for Outstanding International Service. Svirchev’s participation in AIHA’s International Affairs Committee has been instrumental in promoting international industrial hygiene practices in British Columbia. His guest lectures at the British Columbia Institute of Technology and other institutions have facilitated the transition of international students into the industry. He has helped members of the BC Yukon Local Section connect with OEHS professionals internationally and has served as a liaison between the local section and the AIHA CEO, strengthening ties within the international community.
Named for William P. Yant, AIHA’s first president, the award recognizes outstanding contributions in OEHS or allied fields through academic research, teaching or education, or professional practice reflective of a global perspective.
More information about AIHA’s honors and awards is available from the AIHA website.
