The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance has awarded the 2019 Dr. R. Neil Lowry Grant to the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment at the National Environmental Health Association’s 2019 Annual Education Conference & Exhibition awards ceremony in Nashville, Tenn.
Given in the memory of Dr. Robert Neil Lowry, a long-time member of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance and the Recreational Water Quality Committee, this $5,000 grant honors a public health official or department who has made outstanding contributions to advance the public’s health and safe use of recreational water in pools, spas and waterparks through educational, safety, operational and technical programs.
Environmental Health Specialists Scott Cowan and Corazon (Cori) Ocanas accepted the award on behalf of Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment from Jody O’Grady, director of product management and customer programs at Taylor Technologies and member of the RWQC. The check was presented by Mary Ostrowski, senior director of chlorine issues at the American Chemistry Council and member of the PHTA RWQC.
“The Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment’s submission best represented what Dr. Lowry’s award embodies,” says RWQC member, Jody O’Grady. “Their submission stood out to the committee members, and we’re honored to present the PDPHE with the 2019 Dr. R. Neil Lowry Grant.”
The grant will allow the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment to educate citizens in Pueblo County about the importance of water safety and bather hygiene in public and private recreational waters. The PDPHE program intends to offer the Certified Pool Operator or Professional Pool Spa and Operator courses.
“Through educating children and families about water safety and bather hygiene, we are able to make differences in people’s lives in our growing community,” says Environmental Health Specialist Scott Cowan. “On behalf of the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment, we are honored to receive this award to continue our effort to promote healthy and safe swimming awareness.”
“Promoting the safe enjoyment of water is something that we continually work towards,” says PHTA President & CEO Lawrence Caniglia. “We are excited that the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment will be using the grant to advance water safety initiatives and continue to spread the safe enjoyment of water.”
For more information about the Dr. R. Neil Lowry Grant and for past winners, click here.
