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Body Art Committee

Our Body Art Committee is comprised of public and private sector experts working in partnership to provide outcomes in the following priority areas:

  • Development and update of our Body Art Model Code (BAMC) and accompanying Annex, which reflects best practices and standardized procedures to ensure public health and safety in the field of body art
  • Identification and development of body art-related policy statements
  • Identification of training gaps, needs of the profession, and emerging issues, with recommendations for addressing these and other issues
  • Identification of best practices, successes, and challenges for ÂÜÀòÊÓƵ health professionals working in the field of body art
  • Guidance, input, and participation in the development of our body art initiatives
  • Promotion and dissemination of body art materials and resources
  • Ongoing collaboration with organizations interested in ensuring best practices and safety in the field

Mission

To be a resource for ÂÜÀòÊÓƵ health professionals and NEHA leadership dedicated to developing resources and programs, increasing workforce capacity and fostering improved body art practices to protect public health.

Committee Membership Guidelines

Our Body Art Committee's focus is developing resources to support common-sense regulations, risk-based inspections, and public health. Committee members demonstrate leadership skills, integrity, and professionalism throughout all committee initiatives.

  • Two-year commitment
    • Participate in monthly meetings
    • Participate in at least one sub-committee during BAMC update process
    • Participate for the duration of the BAMC update cycle
    • Participate in at least one workgroup
  • Provide input on proposed projects
  • Have at least five years of experience as a regulator and/or in the body art industry
  • Committee Guidance

The committee membership application period is open annually in September. Contact bodyart@neha.org to learn more.

2025-2026 Members

Our Body Art Committee is comprised of local, state, federal, and industry professionals with ÂÜÀòÊÓƵ health and body art expertise.

  • Joseph "Austin" Addison DHSc, DAAS, NEHA Body Art Committee Regulatory Co-Chair, EHS V, Georgia Department of Public Health
  • Tyson Schaffert, NEHA Body Art Committee Industry Co-Chair, Alliance of Professional Tattooists (APT) Representative and Board of Directors, Tattoo Artist
  • Abby Houghton, MPH, Environmental Health Specialist
  • Amy Ward, Tattoo Artist, Owner of A-ok Tattoo
  • Angela Torresi, SPCP CPCP, Tattoo Artist
  • Brian Everett, Tattoo Artist
  • Brian Skellie, Association of Professional Piercers President, Body Piercer
  • Cathy Montie, Cathy Montie Body Art Training Company Founder & Owner, OSHA Authorized Outreach Industry-Specific Trainer, Body Art Industry Professional
  • Christopher Schultz, Health Agent, Town of Abington
  • Dana Brekhus, Environmental Health Practitioner, Upper Missouri District Health Unit
  • David Wagoner, REHS, Sanitarian II, Calhoun County Public Health Department
  • Denice Rimple, MPH, LPN, Sr. REHS, LI/RA, Senior Registered Environmental Health Specialist, Lead Inspector Risk Assessor
  • Eddie Murphy, Certified Paramedic, Licensed EMT, Tattoo Artist
  • Heather Woods, Senior Environmental Health Specialist, Southern Nevada Health District, Special Programs
  • Jesse Neese, President, Nuclear Ink Corp., Previous BoD Alliance of Professional Tattooists
  • Jodi Jackson, REHS, MPH, Grand County Public Health
  • John Johnson, OSHA Authorized General Industry Trainer, Association of Professional Piercers Member and Educator, APP Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Chairperson
  • Kathy Hartman, REHS, OSHA Authorized General Industry Trainer, Body Art Training Group President
  • Kenya Urena-Muro, B.A., REHS, Health Inspector II
  • Kira Flagstead Dierickx REHS/RS, Public Health Sanitarian
  • Laurel Arrigona, Regulatory Affairs Manager, Smith+Nephew
  • Leslie Ossai, Registered Environmental Health Specialist, California Body Art Technical Advisory Committee Chair
  • Lindsey Strong, Registered Environmental Health Specialist, Casper-Natrona County Health Department
  • Maria Vega, Environmental Health Specialist
  • Matt Bavougian, Body Art Compliance, Onyx Piercing Studio
  • Michael Crea, M.S., Florida Environmental Health Association Executive Director, Body Piercer & Body Art Trainer
  • Mikayla Hyland MA, Alliance of Professional Tattooists
  • Nathan M. Daily, RRT, Senior Sanitarian
  • Pablo Perelmuter, Association of Professional Piercers Vice President
  • Rebecca Sauceda, Enviromental Protection Specialist III, Texas Department of State Health Services
  • Robin Hays, Cosmetic Tattoo Artist, Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals
  • Samson Akers, Tattoo Artist, Convicted designs Tattoo and Piercing
  • Samuel Flatland REHS, Environmental Compliance Specialist III, Georgia DPH - Cherokee County Environmental Health
  • Sarah Badenhop, REHS, Public Health Environmental Health Specialist II
  • Savanah Williams MPH, Environmental Health Scientist, Utah County Health Department
  • Saville Warren-Pena CPCP-CLO, Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals Board of Directors, APT, AAM, Owner- The Vault Beauty Company
  • Sean Brown, OSHA Authorized Outreach Trainer, Tattoo Practice and Regulatory Affairs Expert, Inktegrity
  • Steve Joyner, Body Art Compliance (co-founder), Association of Professional Piercers (former BoD), Body Piercer, Scarification Artist, Branding Artist, Altar Body Arts LLC
  • Vildana Tinjic, CP-FS, CPO, PCQI, HACCP certified, RN, Senior Environmental Health Specialist / Food Safety Inspector, Tattoo Program Lead, Linn County Public Health

  • Wendy Maurer, RS, REHS, Coconino County Health & Human Services