APHA Announces Recipient of Public Health Fellowship in Government

Washington, D.C., October 22, 2007 – The American Public Health Association (APHA) today announced the recipient of the APHA Public Health Fellowship in Government. The fellow, sponsored by an unrestricted grant from the Pfizer Public Health Group, will spend one year working on the staff of a member of Congress or a congressional committee office in Washington, D.C.

From more than 50 competitive applicants, APHA selected Fern Goodhart, MS, CHES, as the fellowship recipient. Goodhart, of Highland Park, NJ will spend 2008 working in Washington, D.C. offering input on public health issues under consideration by Congress.

“There is a critical need for public health professionals to engage in the federal policy process, and this fellowship provides a great opportunity to experience first-hand how public policy impacts public health,” said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, FACEP (E), executive director of APHA. “We are confident that this experience will be invaluable not only to Fern, but also to the field of public health and the policymakers with whom she will be able to interact.”

A 30-year public health professional, Goodhart earned her graduate degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and is a certified health education specialist. As director of health education at Rutgers University, she built a model health education department, with over $10 million of grant projects in topics ranging from bicycle helmet use to sexual health practices.

Goodhart has taught courses on AIDS, advocacy, human sexuality and health education; consulted domestically and internationally; and wrote 24 book chapters and articles. Currently serving on the board of the American College Health Foundation, she has also served three governors on their Councils of Fitness, Trails and Bicycle Advocacy, and has held elected public office as a borough councilwoman.