As we near the end of my first of two years as chair, I realize that I have many individuals to thank for the time and effort they volunteer to keep the APHA Epidemiology Section at its peak of performance. My order of mention has no association with the value of the contributions each individual has made.  Robin Taylor Wilson, chair-elect, keeps me timely with her reminders of upcoming deadlines or responses to APHA staff in addition to her keen observation of important issues our Section should address.  In addition, Robin was chair of the Career Awards Committee, which resulted in an extraordinary and diverse set of recipients that will be honored at the Section’s Awards Session, APHA Annual Meeting, on Monday, Nov. 8, 2010 at 2:30 p.m.  Jim Gaudino, past-chair, provides the history and reminders of how we did it last time.  Jim was chair of the Nominations Committee this year and put together a very strong slate of candidates that lead to a very exciting election.  Celeste Torio, secretary & newsletter editor, kindly keeps our conference call notes and assembles the Newsletter — tasks I truly need lots of assistance with.  Howell Sasser, Governing Council Whip, does a seamless job of organizing the tasks assigned to the Section’s Governing Councilors — 14 in all — and they are: Howell Sasser, Elquemedo Oscar Alleyne, Christine Arcari, Laurie Elam-Evans, Kristopher Fennie, Linda Hazlett, Victor Ilegbodu, Resa Jones, John Neuberger, Jan Risser, Anbesaw Selassie, Orion McCotter, Catherine Troisi, and John Vena.   In his spare time, Howell trekked to Denver to conduct a tour of possible venues for Section social events during the 2010 APHA Annual Meeting.  Cathy Troisi followed up on Howell’s report and has made fantastic plans for our Awards dinner and our Social on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m.  Grab a ticket at Booth #1581 (see details in this Newsletter) and meet us at Marlowe’s located close to the Denver Convention Center.

In addition to Section Governing Councilors, the Section has Section Councilors that serve for a three-year term.  This year’s Councilors, Toni Alterman, Cassandra Arroyo, Tiffany Gary-Webb, Siobhan Maty, Aaron Mendelsohn and Lauren Zapata, worked on various committees and projects.

It is truly magic the manner in which the Section’s program for the APHA Annual Meeting is planned and executed; this year it unfolded into what promises to be a spectacular and stimulating professional program.  The job takes hours of dedication to the Section.  Karyn Heavner, chair of the Program Planning Committee, Aaron Mendelsohn, co-chair, and LaVette Arms are the individuals that make it all happen.  Please take time to thank each of them.

The Section would not be but for its members.  Marian Passannante, chair, Membership & Communications Committee, has kept her committee members busy this year with lots of important projects to better serve our membership.  Toni Alterman, Cassandra Arroyo, Marcia Castano, Laurie Elam-Evans, Jim Gaudino, Robin Taylor Wilson, Celeste Torio, and Lauren Zapata have participated on the monthly committee calls and have led specific activities.  Please stop by the Section’s booth (#1581) and thank:  Lauren Zapata for directing its design and organization and Laurie Elam-Evans for planning the Section’s information folder.

In addition to the Career Awards Committee named above, the Section has a Public Health Practice Awards Committee; Kristopher Fennie is the chair.  Kris’ stewardship has resulted in guiding the committee through its most important infancy years to lay the groundwork and establish the procedures that will be used for years to come.

Co-Chairpersons of the Policy Committee, Sonja Hutchins, John Neuberger and Wiley Jenkins, had a busy year vetting various proposed policies and establishing an Action Plan.  They are looking for new members so please contact them if you have interest in joining the committee.

The Section has had the grand opportunity to work with Marcia Castano.  Marcia is the chair of the Section’s Student Committee.  Marcia’s energy and love of epidemiology and public health is infectious.  The Student Committee is busy; they are a fabulous team of volunteers. 

Please stop by and meet all of the wonderfully dedicated folks I’ve mentioned at one of the Section’s Business Meetings at the 2010 APHA Annual Meeting.  The Business Meetings are open to all Section members: Saturday, Nov. 6, from 7 to 9 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 7, from 6 to 8:30 p.m.; and, Tuesday, Nov. 9, from 7 to 8 a.m.  We will be planning the future of the Epidemiology Section of APHA, and we need your input.

I look forward to meeting you,

Claudia Kozinetz

Chair, APHA Epidemiology Section