Dr. Stoots Selected as Academician of the Year
Dr. Mike Stoots, Associate Professor in East Tennessee State University’s Department of Community and Behavioral Health, was selected as the Tennessee Public Health Association’s Academician of the Year for 2018. The award is based on contributions to teaching, research, and service; especially activities relating to public health and public health academics in Tennessee.
From the nomination form: As faculty in the College of Public Health at East Tennessee State University, Dr. Stoots has consistently provided a powerful presence working with students, fellow faculty and the community for over twenty years. Not only is Dr. Stoots a great educator, but he also provides a remarkable amount of service. His service extends well beyond the classroom, to all aspects of his life. Serving as the Undergraduate Coordinator for several years and fearlessly leading the undergraduate curriculum revision process for the College of Public Health, he pours his heart and soul into developing a program for the undergraduate public health students that will prepare them to enter the workforce with essential skills they will be able to use throughout their lifetime. Dr. Stoots works tirelessly to ensure that the program is student-centered and provides the best learning opportunities for students. His work with the curriculum revision has earned well-deserved recognition from the academic community, including journal publications and presentations around the country.
Dr. Stoots has always been actively involved with ETSU’s Public Health Student Association, serving as the faculty mentor. He inspires students to become involved, not just in their education, but also in their communities to improve public health. Dr. Stoots has been a strong supporter of TPHA and has organized trips for students to attend the yearly conference for many years. He even assisted in the formation of the TPHA Student Section, to give students a louder voice within the organization. For any opportunity where students can be involved, he always makes a conscious effort to foster good working relationships and enhance the skills of students with each event. He makes time to listen and provide advice for students. Students appreciate and respond to his genuine interest in their success. Dr. Stoots takes the time to mentor students and fellow faculty, create and foster relationships with numerous community partners, serve in the community and balance family obligations. As a former student of Dr. Stoots and now a colleague, I speak from personal experience when I say that his service has a tremendous impact on others. Students benefit by having a mentor who cares and listens, fellow faculty benefit by having a mentor who inspires to always do better, and the community benefits by having a partner who is ready, willing, and able to help. Dr. Mike Stoots is sincerely an outstanding choice as Academician of the Year.
Dr. Randy Wykoff, Dean of the College of Public Health, commented, “Dr. Stoots is an outstanding educator—one who is recognized for his dedication to his students and his tireless efforts to assure that they are prepared for the workforce. I am pleased that he was selected for this important award.”