As we move into the summer months, the Environment Section leadership and members are busily preparing for the upcoming Annual meeting scheduled for Nov. 5-8 in Boston.  As the new Chair of the Section, I am pleased to have the opportunity to work with the Environment Section and appreciate your patience as I transition into the Chair position. 

First and foremost, I wanted to formally thank Nsedu Obot-Witherspoon for her leadership over the past two years.  Nse has gone beyond the call of duty to support and transform the Section during her tenure as Chair, and in doing so has created dozens of opportunities to grow the Section and establish important connections within the organization and across the field of environmental health.  Second, on behalf of the Section, we are grateful for the dedication and hard work of the Section’s officers who recently completed their terms – Susan West Marmagas, Heidi Klein and David Wallinga (Governing Council), Michael Reiss and Marni Rosen (Section Councilors) and Derek Shendell (Secretary).  Thank you to all!

On the horizon is the upcoming Mid-Year Section Meeting to be held in Washington, D.C. on June 19, 2006.  For the third year in a row we will include Section members who will not be in the D.C. area that day by teleconference.   At that meeting, we will discuss the Section’s Strategic Plan and budget and hope to connect with key APHA staff on issues related to policy and advocacy, finances, section affairs and opportunities to partner and support APHA-related activities.  If you are interested in participating either by phone or email, please contact me by e-mail at jill.litt@uchsc.edu.   

Looking toward Boston this fall, the Environment Section has been keeping very busy. Our Program Planners, Aditi Vaidya and August Martin, have been working tirelessly to arrange another great scientific program. The Student Involvement Committee is gathering momentum and will begin to secure funds to support the Annual Student Scholarship Awards that support travel to and participation at the Annual Meeting.

If you are interested in joining one of the Environment Section’s active committees or have any questions or concerns, please contact any Section officer for more information or contact me by e-mail.

Best Wishes,

Jill

Jill Litt
jill.litt@uchsc.edu