History

MEHA was established in 1951 as the professional membership association for registered sanitarians. MEHA’s original purpose was to provide professional development and training opportunities for sanitarians across the state. The first annual educational conference for sanitarians was help in November of 1951. The adopted constitution titled the new organization the Montana Association of Sanitarians. The constitution was patterned after that of the National Association of Sanitarians, with the Montana association described as the Montana section of NAS. A charter was granted by NAS in September, 1952.

The objectives and purposes of the association, which were outlined by the constitution, largely concern professional development. Fostering and promoting high quality and performance standards were key objectives. These were to be accomplished through courses on instruction, inter-agency cooperation, standardization of code interpretation and certification of members meeting education and experience qualifications. Social intercourse among members and the furtherance of economic and social conditions of the members were also a part of the objectives and purposes.

A name change of the association was approved by the members at the October 1970 meeting. The organization then became known as the Montana Environmental Health Association. Which, of course, was a change consistent with that of the national organization, which had become known as the National Environmental Health Association.. MEHA is the state affiliate to the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA).