Title: Message from the Chair

Author:

Section/SPIG: Epidemiology

Issue Date:

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In the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, the Section is concerned about the population health and about Section members and students in the affected areas. More than 20,000 health professionals, including epidemiologists, have signed up through the DHHS Web site to assist with recovery and rebuilding of the area. APHA staff is working closely with Sections, SPIGS, and Affiliates to keep them abreast of public health efforts in the area and the necessary changes in venue and dates of the APHA Annual Meeting. I would like to commend them for the frequent Web site updates, e-mails, and conference calls. It has been an ‘all hands’ effort across the APHA staff and much appreciated by Section leadership. Of course, a change in venue and location has also increased the workload for our Program Planner for the Section, Louise-Anne McNutt, and Planner-in-Training Linda Hazlett. With the capable help of Shazia Hussain, they are rescheduling and notifying presenters about the necessary changes.

The Section is pleased to announce that the GEICO-funded student memberships to the APHA Epidemiology Section have been awarded to Kitt Woods, an epidemiology student at the Oregon Health and Sciences University in Portland, Oregon, who is active in her state affiliate; Nadia Ennis, a CDC-intern from Clayton College and State University in Georgia, and Robert Levine, an undergraduate and former Young Epidemiology Scholars (YES) award winner now at Middlebury College. We thank GEICO for their support of these awards.

There will be a special pre-conference newsletter sent to all Section members in November. Please be sure to look for it so you have the latest details for the annual meeting!

Cheers,