Public Health Student Honored as Volunteer of the Year at 2025 OPHA Conference

The OU Hudson College of Public Health is proud to celebrate Emily McDaniel, who was awarded Volunteer of the Year at the 2025 Oklahoma Public Health Association (OPHA) Conference. This recognition highlights Emily’s outstanding commitment to advancing public health education, advocacy, and community engagement across Oklahoma.

Emily plays an essential leadership role within OPHA, serving as the Public Health Education and Health Promotion Section Leader, where she supports statewide initiatives that strengthen health promotion efforts and elevate professional development within the public health workforce. Her dedication to service and her ability to bring people together have made a meaningful impact on both OPHA and the communities it serves.

In addition to receiving Volunteer of the Year, Emily was recently selected as the OPHA Affiliate Representative to the Governing Council, a national-level leadership position that connects OPHA with the American Public Health Association (APHA). In this role, she will help ensure Oklahoma’s public health priorities are represented on the national stage while fostering collaboration and communication between the two organizations.

The Hudson College of Public Health congratulates Emily on these well-deserved honors and thanks her for her continued efforts to advance public health in Oklahoma and beyond.