Elizabeth Neilson
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth A. "Betty" Neilson, EDD (Oct. 13, 1911 to Oct. 4, 2001) was a prominent figure in the field of health education
and a leader in promoting the wellness
and holistic health
perspectives in public health
.
She was born in West Medford, Massachusetts, the daughter of William and Anatasia (Mahoney) Neilson. She graduated from Medford High School
in Medford, Massachusetts. She then attended Boston Bouve College and Northeastern University. She graduated from Boston University
with a doctorate in education.
Neilson began her teaching career at the Brimmer May School in Chestnut Hill
, Brookline, Massachusetts
, followed by teaching in the Medford Public Schools for several years. She subsequently joined the faculty of Lowell State College
where she became a full professor, then went to Boston College
where she became professor and chair in the Department of Health and Physical Education for several years. Her last academic position was at Kent State University
in Kent, Ohio
where she was Adjunct Professor in the Department of Health Sciences.
She was the coauthor of numerous health textbooks and teachers’ guides. She was the founder and editor-in-chief of the journal Health Values - Achieving High Level Wellness.
She also contributed articles to other journal and newsletters including Journal School of Health, Journal of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Massachusetts Teacher, Teaching About Drugs, Teaching About Vision, and Dental Health Today.
She was active in the American School Health Association
(ASHA) holding numerous positions including service on the Membership Committee, Governing Council, National Advisory Council, and the Editorial Board of the Journal of School Health. In 1968 she became President of the American School Health Association.
She served on the board of directors for the American Diabetes Association
, the American Heart Association
, the National Mental Health Association, the Massachusetts Cancer Society, the Middlesex Tuberculosis and Health Association, and the March Against Dental Disease Foundation. She was also a member of the National Alumni Council of Boston University.
She was the recipient of a number of awards including: the Boston-Bouver College of Human Development Distinguished Services Award, the Northeastern University Distinguished Alumni Award in Health Sciences, and the William A Howe Award from the American School Health Association. She was awarded fellowships in the American School Health Association, the National Honor Society for Women in Education, Pi Lambda Theta, and the Royal Society for Health.
Health education
Health education is the profession of educating people about health. Areas within this profession encompass environmental health, physical health, social health, emotional health, intellectual health, and spiritual health...
and a leader in promoting the wellness
Wellness (alternative medicine)
Wellness is generally used to mean a healthy balance of the mind, body and spirit that results in an overall feeling of well-being. It has been used in the context of alternative medicine since Halbert L. Dunn, M.D., began using the phrase high level wellness in the 1950s...
and holistic health
Holistic health
Holistic health is a concept in medical practice upholding that all aspects of people's needs, psychological, physical and social should be taken into account and seen as a whole. As defined above, the holistic view on treatment is widely accepted in medicine...
perspectives in public health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
.
She was born in West Medford, Massachusetts, the daughter of William and Anatasia (Mahoney) Neilson. She graduated from Medford High School
Medford High School (Massachusetts)
Medford High School is a public high school located in the West Medford section of Medford, Massachusetts on the southwest border of the Middlesex Fells Reservation...
in Medford, Massachusetts. She then attended Boston Bouve College and Northeastern University. She graduated from Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
with a doctorate in education.
Neilson began her teaching career at the Brimmer May School in Chestnut Hill
Chestnut Hill
-Geography:* Chestnut Hill, Cumbria, England* Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, United States* Chestnut Hill Cove, Maryland, United States* Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States* Chestnut Hill, West Virginia, United States...
, Brookline, Massachusetts
Brookline, Massachusetts
Brookline is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States, which borders on the cities of Boston and Newton. As of the 2010 census, the population of the town was 58,732.-Etymology:...
, followed by teaching in the Medford Public Schools for several years. She subsequently joined the faculty of Lowell State College
University of Massachusetts Lowell
The University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public university in Lowell, Massachusetts, and part of the University of Massachusetts system...
where she became a full professor, then went to Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
where she became professor and chair in the Department of Health and Physical Education for several years. Her last academic position was at Kent State University
Kent State University
Kent State University is a public research university located in Kent, Ohio, United States. The university has eight campuses around the northeast Ohio region with the main campus in Kent being the largest...
in Kent, Ohio
Kent, Ohio
Kent is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the largest city in Portage County. It is located along the Cuyahoga River in Northeastern Ohio on the western edge of the county. The population was 27,906 at the 2000 United States Census and 28,904 in the 2010 Census...
where she was Adjunct Professor in the Department of Health Sciences.
She was the coauthor of numerous health textbooks and teachers’ guides. She was the founder and editor-in-chief of the journal Health Values - Achieving High Level Wellness.
She also contributed articles to other journal and newsletters including Journal School of Health, Journal of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Massachusetts Teacher, Teaching About Drugs, Teaching About Vision, and Dental Health Today.
She was active in the American School Health Association
American School Health Association
The American School Health Association is a professional association. It claims a membership of 2,000 members in 56 nations, more than half of whom practice in K-12 schools or administer health education or health services programs in school districts or state departments of education.Founded in...
(ASHA) holding numerous positions including service on the Membership Committee, Governing Council, National Advisory Council, and the Editorial Board of the Journal of School Health. In 1968 she became President of the American School Health Association.
She served on the board of directors for the American Diabetes Association
American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association is a United States-based association working to fight the consequences of diabetes, and to help those affected by diabetes...
, the American Heart Association
American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a non-profit organization in the United States that fosters appropriate cardiac care in an effort to reduce disability and deaths caused by cardiovascular disease and stroke. It is headquartered in Dallas, Texas...
, the National Mental Health Association, the Massachusetts Cancer Society, the Middlesex Tuberculosis and Health Association, and the March Against Dental Disease Foundation. She was also a member of the National Alumni Council of Boston University.
She was the recipient of a number of awards including: the Boston-Bouver College of Human Development Distinguished Services Award, the Northeastern University Distinguished Alumni Award in Health Sciences, and the William A Howe Award from the American School Health Association. She was awarded fellowships in the American School Health Association, the National Honor Society for Women in Education, Pi Lambda Theta, and the Royal Society for Health.