William Datema

Legacy – Diamond

What or who inspired you to become a health educator?

    I was inspired by serving on the National PTA Board of Directors as a youth (college-age) member from 1977-1979. At the time, they had three commissions, including Education, Administration, and Health and Welfare. I wanted to be on Education, as I planned to be a schoolteacher, but it was full. Administration sounded deathly boring, though perhaps ironically, I spent most of my subsequent career in federal and state government, university, and nonprofit administration. By default, I wound up in Health and Welfare. While serving there, I thought, “I like this!”

    What is one of your most memorable career highlights?

      There are too many to mention. I loved serving SOPHE as CEO from early 2023 to mid-2026. I also greatly enjoyed serving at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Harvard School of Public Health, Eta Sigma Gamma, Society of State Leaders of Health and Physical Education, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, Rocky Mountain Center for Health Promotion and Education, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Greater Ozarks Chapter and Regional Blood and Tissue Services of the American Red Cross.

      Who were/are mentors or significant champions for your career?

        So many. When I completed my dissertation, I mentioned over 100 professionals and leaders who have been great mentors from a variety of different organizations and settings. Within SOPHE, there are also many. Past-presidents with whom I served include Deborah Fortune, Amy Thompson, Raffy Luquis, Leonard Jack, Jr., and Heidi Hancher-Rauch – all wonderful people. Elaine Auld has also been a significant mentor and great friend. I have learned much for the dedicated staff people at SOPHE. There are too many others to mention.

        How were you involved in SOPHE or other health education organizations?

          I became a member of SOPHE in the mid-1990s. I have served on a variety of standing committees (Conference Planning, Finance, Nominations, etc.), co-chaired the Global Health Community of Practice with Rob Simmons, served on the Governance 2.0 group that designed SOPHE’s current governance system, served on the branding committee that led the design of the new “colorful compass” logo, was the program chair for the March 2020 Annual Conference (which pivoted rapidly to a virtual format because of Covid – novel at the time), served as Treasurer of the Board of Trustees for a term, and as Chief Executive Officer on staff from the first of 2023 to the middle of 2026.

          I have served on the national or international boards of several other health education organizations including the American Association for Health Education (AAHE), American School Health Association (ASHA), Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), CATCH Global Foundation, Foundation for the Advancement of Health Education (FAHE),  International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE), National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC), and RMC Health (formerly, the Rocky Mountain Center for Health Promotion and Education). I also was executive director of the Society of State Leaders of Health and Physical Education and Eta Sigma Gamma and a charter board member and second national chair of Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK). I am the incoming president of the National PTA, which advocates for health education.

          What motivated you to donate to SOPHE?

            SOPHE is the premier health education national organization in the United States. Also, SOPHE manages its money well and transparently.

            What advice would you give new professionals just entering the health education field?

              Get involved. Stretch yourself. Try unfamiliar things. Be adventurous. Make connections and honor those relationships. Give back. Serve in professional groups. I have had wonderful experiences volunteering for SOPHE, the National PTA, American School Health Association, Action for Healthy Kids, and every other organization listed above.

              Who would you like to dedicate this page to?

                Anyone who is starting out in this wonderful field. It will be an interesting ride, but you will love every minute. (OK, nearly every minute.) Find mentors and get going!

                William Datema

                William is a diamond-level donor to SOPHE’s Legacy Circle Fund.

                What’s your legacy?