Bruce Dart, PhD, Executive Director of the Tulsa Health Department (OK), is this year’s recipient of the Maurice “Mo” Mullet Lifetime of Service Award. The highest honor awarded by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), the Mo Mullet Award recognizes local health officials for their demonstrated leadership among local health departments, energetic volunteer service to NACCHO, and significant contributions to local public health practice.
“I have known and worked with both Dr. Dart and Dr. Mullet. I can say without any doubt that Dr. Mullet himself would have been delighted to know that Dr. Dart received this prestigious award due to his commitment, vigor, and leadership to NACCHO and the entire field of public health,” said Ron Bialek, President of the Public Health Foundation (PHF).
In addition to leadership service to NACCHO, Dr. Dart has served on the PHF Board of Directors since 2019 and was elected by his peers to the role of Chair in June 2022. Dr. Mullet similarly served on PHF’s Board of Directors from 1994-2001, including serving as Chair from 1997-2001.
Dr. 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. Dr. Dart serves in a leadership role as a member of several NACCHO workgroups and is a NACCHO past president and former board member. He also serves on the Public Health Accreditation Board’s Accreditation Review Committee.
A national non-profit association, NACCHO represents the nation’s nearly 3,000 local health departments, with a mission to improve the health of communities by strengthening and advocating for local health departments. The Mo Mullet Lifetime of Service Award honors local health officials for noteworthy service that reflects Dr. Mullet’s commitment, vigor, and leadership. Dr. Mullet was a NACCHO board member for three years, vice president for four years, and president from 1992-1994. During his career, Dr. Mullet achieved statewide and national recognition as a leader among local health officials and in the field of public health.
Dr. Dart received his award at the 2022 NACCHO360 Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA this July.