History
The Virginia Health Occupations Educators Association (VHOEA) was established in 1978 when the decision was made in the Virginia Department of Education to establish a separate service for health occupations. Prior to that time the teachers in Health Occupations were part of the Virginia Trade and Industrial Education Service (T&IES). Carol Stickney was the first Supervisor of the Health Occupations Service at the state level. While part of the T&IES, the health occupations educators (HOE) participated in a Summer Conference for an annual statewide meeting of the HOE teachers and supervisors. Beginning in 1974, the health occupations teachers elected members of the group to serve as chairman for each conference. Those serving under this structure were:
1974: Ann Wrenn, Emporia
1975: Carrie Allyn, Henrico County
1976: Delores Mulkey, Tazewell County
1977: Dee Eitel, Franklin County
The Virginia Health Occupations Education Association was formed in 1978 in response to a need for an organization solely for health occupations educators in Virginia. Its purpose is to promote the development and advancement of health occupations education, to encourage the growth and development of those engaged in the field, and to support the programs and objectives of the Virginia Vocational Association. The VHOEA was created as a division of the Virginia Vocational Association. The Virginia Department of Education restructured the division of Vocational Education and renamed it the Office of Career & Technical Education which is aligned under the Division of Technology and Career Education. The division of Health Occupations Education (HOE) was changed to the office of Health and Medical Sciences (HAMS) at the same time of this restructure. VHOEA changed the association’s name to VAHAMSEA in 2010 to reflect the change at the Department of Education. There are seven regional constituents of the VHOEA, now VAHAMSEA Past Presidents :
1979: Bernice Childress, Henrico County 2023- Robert Totty, Chesterfield
1981-82: JoAnn Wakelyn, Yorktown
1982: Mildred Mason - Norfolk
1982-84: Frances Moore, Fairfax
1984-86: Nancy Carper, Winchester
1986-88: Woody Hanes, Farmville
1988-90: Ann Austin, Newport News
1990-92: Gwen Sweat, Suffolk
1992-94: Karen Spangler, Williamsburg
1994-96: Joyce Bishop, Christiansburg
1996-98: Katherine Decker, Portsmouth
1998-00: Gloria Rudibaugh, Norfolk
2000-02: Jerry Osborne, Radford
2002-04: Kathy Jones, Chesapeake
2004-06: Regina Artz, Chesapeake
2006-08: Ellie Riggs, Wise
2008-10: Burma Bell, Norfolk
2010-12:Michele Wright, Richmond
2012-14: Michie Walton, Chesapeake
2014-16: Jane Best, Chesapeake
2016-18: Deborah Wright, Rockbridge County
2018-20: Amy Bossieux, Hanover
2020-22: Anne Barker, Henrico
