Title: Message from the Chair
Author:
Section/SPIG: Epidemiology
Issue Date:
Serving as the Chair of the Epidemiology Section, I feel an immense responsibility to work with you to advocate our profession’s role as ‘the foundation science of public health’. APHA offers epidemiologists the opportunity to work across different Sections and Special Interest Groups to do just that and this feature is a hallmark characteristic of how the 3,500-member Section differs from many other epidemiology organizations. The 2004 annual meeting in Washington, D.C. was such an example of interdisciplinary work, and one of the greatest joys was encouraging and witnessing the very strong support and participating of students in the organization. The Student Caucus is now the Student Assembly and is growing in membership, visibility, and overall 'value added' to the organization. The Epidemiology Section, thanks to the work and foresight of Robin Taylor Wilson, developed a new relationship with the Young Epidemiology Scholars (YES) program—-a program encouraging high school students to complete high quality epidemiology projects--administered by the College Board and funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Chair-Elect Stan Weiss was extremely successful obtaining a 'goodie bag' of treasures, from software to textbooks, from vendors for the YES scholars and the Epidemiology Section graduate student paper award winners. In addition to this recognition of success among students, career progression will be the focus of a Leadership Retreat for Section Leaders and aspiring future leaders, which is currently being planned for 2006. The committee chair for this project is none other than Resa M. Jones, who served when she was an epidemiology doctoral student at the University of Minnesota, as the Chair of the Student Caucus and, as such, an ex-officio member of the APHA Board. Another example of student leaders moving into section leadership positions after they graduate is Linda Hazlett, who served as the Epidemiology Section liaison to the Student Caucus and is now the Program Chair in Training for the Section. She will be working with Louise-Anne McNutt, Chair of the Program Committee, on the 2005 APHA Annual Meeting planning for the Epidemiology Section. Please submit your work for presentation and come join us in New Orleans in November.
The Epidemiology Section met for multiple business meetings during the Annual Meeting and added to that menu a professional education session on translating epidemiologic science into public policy. The front-line advice from a former public health lobbyist and a health legislative aide working for a senator was greatly appreciated and useful during the APHA Walk on the Hill. Coming from a state that lost a senior senator and leader in the Senate (Tom Daschle of South Dakota) and facing a dismal public health budget forecast in November, I wondered what the value of Congressional visits might be. However, gaining skills, comfort in communication, and a relationship of information sharing with our elected officials is one facet of educating the public about public health and building a strong and more evidence-based system incrementally, day by day.
Reflecting on the intervening tsunami and crisis in Asia and East Africa, this former Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) officer has had to battle the strong desire to pack a suitcase and buy an airline ticket and go on leave for an indefinite period of time to help with relief and rebuilding efforts. The passport burns in my pocket. Yet I know that APHA members are there and that the strength and interdisciplinary nature of the organization can help them. The Epidemiology Section has a solid working relationship with International Health and the Injury Control and Emergency Health Services Section. APHA Executive Director Georges Benjamin has advocated for funding and evidence-based programs to guide the relief efforts. As part of the APHA community, we do make a difference.
Please do not hesitate to contact me about how we can improve the Epidemiology Section and serve our members and our profession better.
Sincerely,
Sarah L. Patrick, MPH, PhD
Chair, Epidemiology Section
Professor/Director, Center for Rural Health Improvement University of South Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences
(605) 357-1530
spatrick@usd.edu