Washington, D.C., November 16, 2007
– With the conclusion of the American Public Health Association’s (APHA) 135th Annual Meeting and Exposition, Linda Degutis, DrPH, MSN, begins her yearlong term as the new APHA president.
Dr. Degutis is an associate professor of surgery (emergency medicine) and public health (environmental health sciences), and an associate clinical professor of nursing at Yale University. She is also research director for the Emergency Medicine Section and director of the Yale Center for Public Health Preparedness.
Degutis’ research and practice interests center on issues related to alcohol and injury and public health preparedness, with a focus on interventions and policy. She is the former chair of the APHA Executive Board and an active member of the Injury Control and Emergency Health Services Section of APHA, as well as a member of the Connecticut Public Health Association. Elected last year as president-elect, Degutis succeeds APHA immediate past president Deborah Klein Walker, EdD.
“I am excited to assume this new leadership position within APHA,” Degutis said. “This is a great opportunity to be involved in a broad range of public health issues and I look forward to working with the Association’s officials and members as we continue to work to prepare for emerging health threats and to advance the health of our nation.”
As president, Degutis has said she will work to increase public understanding and awareness of public health and the need to support public health initiatives at all levels, encourage students to make a commitment to a career in public health, increase science-based policy development, and enhance the ability of APHA members to advocate for public health.
“Dr. Degutis is committed to public health and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table,” said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, FACEP (E), executive director of APHA. “I’m looking forward to working with her in our continued efforts to promote and protect the health of our communities.”
Degutis holds a Bachelor of Science degree from DePaul University, and MSN and DrPH from Yale. She was a Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellow, working in the office of Senator Paul Wellstone (D-Minn.).