“Bruce Dart exemplifies every element of this prestigious public health award. His energetic volunteerism with NACCHO is long-standing, including serving as a Past President of NACCHO among many other committee and workgroup positions,” said NACCHO Chief Executive Officer Lori Tremmel Freeman.
Washington, DC, July 20, 2022 —Today, the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), the voice of the country’s local health departments, recognized the stellar public health career of Bruce Dart PhD, Executive Director of the Tulsa Health Department, awarding him the Maurice “Mo” Mullet Lifetime of Service Award. Dr. Dart will receive his award before a gathering of his peers at the 2022 NACCHO360 Annual Conference in Atlanta.
NACCHO’s Maurice “Mo” Mullet Lifetime of Service Award honors local health officials for noteworthy service that reflects Mullet’s commitment, vigor, and leadership. Mo Mullet was a NACCHO board member for three years, vice president for four years, and president from 1992 to 1994. During his career, Mullet achieved statewide and national recognition as a leader among local health officials and in the field of public health. Those nominated for the award must demonstrate leadership among local health departments, characterized by energetic volunteer service to NACCHO and significant contributions to the field of local public health practice.
Says Dr. Dart, “Mo Mullet set the standard for how to be an impactful public health practitioner, so to receive an award with his name on it is very special. To be honored by your peers and colleagues is incredibly gratifying, and I am very humbled that I am receiving this recognition. I’m also grateful to the talented and dedicated staff I work with every day in Tulsa and frankly, those professionals I’ve shared my career with. It was all of you who motivated me to be better every day and to all of you, from my heart, thank you.”
Bruce Dart has served five local health departments in three states during his 36-year career in public health. Currently, he is the executive director of the Tulsa Health Department, a local public health agency of 340 team members in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
He currently serves in a leadership role as a member of NACCHO workgroups and Past Presidents Council. He also serves on the Public Health Accreditation Board’s (PHAB) Accreditation Review Committee.
“Bruce Dart exemplifies every element of this prestigious public health award. His energetic volunteerism with NACCHO is long-standing, including serving as a Past President of NACCHO among many other committee and workgroup positions,” said NACCHO Chief Executive Officer Lori Tremmel Freeman. “His leadership in the field is evident in the many roles and positions he serves on national boards and expert advisory groups. Dr. Dart’s passion and commitment to local governmental public health is unmatched. I cannot think of a local health official more deserving of this award especially in light of the tremendous opposition he faced as he and the Tulsa Health Department worked tirelessly to protected Tulsa’s citizens during the pandemic. Dr. Dart’s work instills every day the trust and credibility the community can have in local governmental public health and its ability to keep people safe and healthy.”
Rex Archer, MD, MPH of Kansas City and the 2018 Mo Mullet honoree, remarked in nominating Dr. Dart for the award, “Bruce’s distinguished career as a servant leader in public health and service to both NACCHO and local public health agencies is beyond reproach. One of the qualities that most, if not all of the past recipients as well as Mo Mullet have, is the inability to say no when asked to serve when it comes to protecting the public’s health. Bruce is altruistic, dedicated, compassionate, insightful, and innovative; he listens well, he always does his homework, and he is skilled in working through conflict. I know that Mo would feel honored to have Bruce recognized for his exemplary service.”
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About NACCHO
The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) represents the nation’s nearly 3,000 local governmental health departments. These city, county, metropolitan, district, and tribal departments work every day to protect and promote health and well-being for all people in their communities. For more information about NACCHO, please visit www.naccho.org.
