Hamilton County Health Department Director Becky Barnes honored for health career

photo Rebekah (Becky) Barnes is the Health Administator of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department.

Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department Director Becky Barnes has won the highest honor bestowed by the Tennessee Public Health Association.

Barnes received the 2011 R.H. Hutcheson Sr. M.D. Award for her career commitment and public health achievements. The minimum amount of service for the award is 20 years.

Barnes has been with the health department since 1980.

"Becky is well respected among her peers. She is personable, approachable and a team player," said Dr. Valerie Boaz, health officer at the department, in a news release. "She is a champion and advocate for public health, whether it is in her official capacity or on the street as a good friend and neighbor."

NEW WHEELS

A white 2011 Ford has been spotted driving around Hamilton County's 9th Commission District.

Commissioner Chester Bankston's truck sports the license plate, "COUNTY9."

MAGISTRATES

Hamilton County commissioners received at least 10 applications for four open magistrate positions.

The applications, which were due by 4 p.m. Friday, will be reviewed this week. Interviews are set for Oct. 17.

GEORGIA TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Jadun McCarthy, 2012 Georgia Teacher of the Year, will speak at 7 p.m. Oct. 18 in the Science Auditorium at Berry College in Rome, Ga.

McCarthy is an English teacher from Northeast Health Science Magnet High School in Bibb County. Organizers say his presentation will focus on the teaching profession.

McCarthy graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law. After deciding it wasn't the path for him, he entered the education field. Now teaching in Macon, Ga., he represents Georgia's teachers through public speaking and workshops around the state.

MCCALLIE TEACHERS HONORED

Four faculty members of McCallie School were honored with teaching awards last month, according to a news release.

Hank Hopping and Dr. Michael Woodward were recognized by Stanford University's Teacher Tribute Initiative. Members of Stanford's incoming freshman class were able to nominate a former teacher or mentor.

Chet LeSourd was nominated for the University of Chicago's Outstanding Educator Award, in which an incoming first-year student is invited to nominate an educator who changed and challenged him or her. LeSourd is the director of McCallie's Caldwell Writing Center and Caldwell Chair of Composition.

Varsity tennis coach Eric Voges was one of three finalists for Best Teacher in the Times Free Press Best of the Best People's Choice Award. Among the other finalists were Wayne Ingle of Heritage High School and Mishana Parris of Ringgold Elementary School.

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