Dear Section Members,

This issue of the Section’s Newsletter highlights several of the Epidemiology Section’s sessions and activities planned for the 2011 APHA Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.  The John Snow, Abraham Lilienfeld and Public Health Practice Awards and Frost Lecture will be presented during a 2:30 p.m. session on Monday, Oct. 31, 2011.  Please come and show your support of our Section’s outstanding public health epidemiologists. During the session that follows, the Section will recognize the Student Abstract Awardees and conduct a career panel.  The panel will include epidemiologists with diverse career paths; come learn how they found their dream professional positions.  These two sessions will culminate with a reception; I hope to see you at the reception enjoying the friendship and support of fellow Section members.  Take the time to familiarize yourself with the scientific and special session schedule before you get to the Annual Meeting.  Those attending the meeting for the first time can find the first step into the convention center a bit daunting.  Listing your schedule in advance will allow time to find the rooms for all of sessions on your record and result in a very fulfilling meeting.

Section leadership wants to see and hear from you.  The most effective way to do this is to attend one or all three of the Section’s membership meetings.  The Section’s leadership (Chair, Chair-elect, Past Chair, Secretary, Section Governing Councilors and Section Councilors, Committee Chairs and Co-Chairs) attends each of these three meetings (Saturday, Oct. 29 from 7-9 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 30 from 6-8:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Nov. 1 from 7-8 a.m.).  The final arguments for the proposed APHA policies, the APHA election slate, and plans for the Section’s next year will be discussed.  We will also present the results from the Section’s recent membership survey; please participate in this discussion and help guide the Section into the future.

Visit with your colleagues at the Section’s booth in the Exhibition Hall.  The Membership and Communications Committee has some special events planned that you will not want to miss out on.  You can pick up all the information you need: 1) location of the Section’s Social; 2) how to Tweet through the meeting and win a special prize; 3) listing of the Epidemiology sessions and more.  

See you in D.C., and have a wonderful meeting,

Claudia Kozinetz, Chair, Epidemiology Section