At the close of the Annual Meeting, CHPPD will induct Scott Williams, vice president of the Men’s Health Network, as the new membership chair and Souvenise St. Louis as new membership co-chair.  CHPPD welcomes Scott’s and Souvenise’s new energy and fresh perspectives as we gear up for an exciting new year. Plans are under way to discuss innovative ways to reach out to members and increase interconnectivity between our Section members. This includes building a network of membership advocates to support recruitment and retention activities, increasing networking opportunities through our state affiliates, and working with our student committees to strengthen student representation.

It has been a pleasure working with the leadership as membership chair for the past three years. I was humbly recruited by Paul Meissner when he was chair, and somehow, Tom Piper and Sue Myers convinced me to stay on board!  However, this year my term has ended, and after a long and arduous search, we were able to find Scott and Souvenise. Please join me in extending a warm welcome to our new officers.

Scott Williams is currently vice president of Men’s Health Network, a Washington, D.C.-based national non-profit organization whose mission is to reach men and their families where they live, work, play and pray with health prevention messages and tools, screening programs, educational materials, advocacy opportunities, and patient navigation.  Scott is actively sought out as a speaker and resource on men’s health issues by the media, policy-makers, public health professionals, physician key thought leaders, and other patient advocacy leaders. He has been featured as an expert in The New York Times, CNN, MSNBC, The Washington Post, and on National Public Radio, among others. He is a representative to the Medicare Rx Education Network and currently holds positions within the One Voice Against Cancer Budget and Communications Workgroups.  He is the president of the Maryland Men’s Health Network Board of Directors, member and former president of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumni Volunteer Corporation, and current member of the Moravian College Alumni Association. Prior to joining Men’s Health Network, Scott was a senior analyst of strategic services at PharmaStrat, Inc. based in Flemington, N.J.  He has also worked as public relations manager for Sanofi Pasteur in Swiftwater, Pa.  Scott received his BA in political science with honors and a minor in business management from Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pa.  Scott can be reached at scott@menshealthnetwork.org.

Souvenise St. Louis received a BA in sociology at Mary Baldwin College and a Master of Public Health at Walden University. In the spring of 2008, Souvenise served as the interim secretary on CHPPD’s Leadership Committee for six months, which helped her prepare to serve as co-chair of the Membership Committee. Souvenise has just completed a fellowship at Mental Health America in the Healthcare Reform Department ,which has allowed her to work with local affiliates and advocates on important health reform issues. Souvenise can be reached at souvenise@gmail.com.

By EmyLou Rodriguez, Membership Chair (2005-2008), ERodriguez@marchofdimes.com.