Craig Barnes
2021-22 Outstanding Recent Graduate
Craig Barnes’ passion for improving public health has made him a leader in his field. In 2014, he received the Virginia B. Lockhart Award from the Kansas Public Health Association and in 2019 was honored as one of Topeka’s “Top 20 Under 40” leaders.
After completing a cardiac-pulmonary internship at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, he had worked as a health fitness specialist, a biometric screening technician, and a rehabilitation director before becoming health promotion coordinator for Shawnee County Health Agency in 2013. He was promoted in 2017 to division manager of community health outreach and planning for the Shawnee County Health Department.
He takes leadership roles in numerous organizations that promote pathways to improved health, as well as food task forces and wellness councils for several school districts.
He also manages state grants on chronic disease risk reduction, Safe Routes to School, and Fit.Fresh.Fun from the Kansas Health Foundation.
Giving back to Hornet Nation
Craig Barnes, who received his BS 2011 in Health & Human Performance/Health Promotion, returns to ESU to speak to students about the challenges and rewards of working in public health.