Kristen Pattinson, who serves as an environmental program manager for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Environmental Quality, has been honored with the November 2025 Team Member of the Month Award. Pattinson earned this recognition through her dedication to the department and her initiative in reestablishing routine coordination meetings with public health agencies, according to an announcement posted on the Missouri Department of Natural Resources website.
In her role, Pattinson handles the Southwest Regional Office drinking water section, supervising a group responsible for the inspection and regulatory compliance of public drinking water systems. Beyond her standard obligations, she has led efforts to refine de-escalation techniques and promote situational awareness among her colleagues. The strides she's made in departmental training were highlighted as a part of her contributions.
Her proposal, which evidently secured approval quickly, brought the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR), the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, and local public health agencies back to the same table for regular dialogue. Pattinson didn't just stop at advocating for these meetings; she actively organized them, setting agendas, coordinating speakers, and leading discussions. The feedback from these sessions indicated they were a win for everyone involved, improving clarity, trust, and communication across the board.
Due to the success of her initiative, the MoDNR is now considering expanding these meetings to other regions on an annual basis. Tanya Turner, manager of MoDNR's Southwest Regional Office and the individual who nominated Pattinson, lauded her accomplishments, saying, "Kirsten is consistently a great team member with great ideas." Turner praised Pattinson for embodying the department's core values which include respect, integrity, innovation, collaboration, and stewardship.
Pattinson began her career with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in November 2003 and, as noted, makes her home in Springfield. Her role underscores the importance of intra-departmental collaboration and the impact it can have on both public health and the environment.
