Stanley H. Weiss, MD, FACP, FACE

 We have an exciting program planned for you at the 2007 Annual Meeting.  Please join us for any and all of our business section meetings, and introduce yourself to the officers.  We also have an off-site social planned for Tuesday evening - tickets available from the Epidemiology Section Booth in the Exhibits area, or from one of the Section officers; there is no cost to attend the social.

The Section has become much more involved in policy issues the last 2 years.  As an outgrowth of the 2006 Congress of Epidemiology, a Society of Epidemiologic Societies has been formed, and a Joint Policy Committee.  That has led to the development of joint surveys, one manuscript so far (on HIPAA issues), and a letter to the NIH Director about the importance of epidemiology in the development of future research initiatives.  The first national symposium by this group is being hosted by our Section at the annual meeting – APHA Session # 4129.0 on Tuesday, November 06, 2007: 12:30 PM-2:00 PM, entitled: “Symposium. Protecting Patients and Participants: Does It Matter Whether It's Research or Public Health Practice? (Organized with the Joint Policy Committee, Societies of Epidemiology).”  Some highly relevant practical issues will be discussed, including HIPAA and FERPA.

My term as your Chair ends at this national meeting.  It has been a pleasure to serve you.  We leave the Section in its best fiscal condition ever, having developed a substantial sum of funds, which will roll-over each year unless used, as a result of our efforts in helping to organize and lead the two International Congresses of Epidemiology, in 2001 and in 2006.