The Health Administration Section is always fortunate to have quality candidates to run for APHA leadership positions. This year we have two members running for office.  Following is an Open Letter to our members from Joyce Gaufin, and a short bio on Tom Quade. 

An Open Letter to the HA Members
Joyce Gaufin

It is my honor to run as a candidate for a seat on the APHA Executive Board representing the Health Administration Section, and my two affiliate organizations, the Utah PHA and the Nevada PHA.    I served as the chair of the Intersectional Council in 2005, so I also served on the Executive Board that year (ex officio).   That experience provided me with an opportunity to learn what it takes to serve as a successful board member.  The primary responsibilities for an elected board member are to provide oversight for the successful administration and management of the association, and to serve a fiduciary role.  Policy for APHA is developed and approved through the Governing Council, and then the Board helps to oversee the implementation of policy.  The Board develops and monitors “end” performance goals for the efficient administration of the organization.  They work in partnership with the Executive Director who has the responsibility to deliver effective “means” to manage the organization.   APHA board members are expected to fully participate in regular meetings, to serve on subcommittees, and to uphold high standards that exemplify the values of the organization.  Effective board members must operate in an atmosphere of collaboration and respect.  Board members must also take an active role in serving as advocates for APHA policies.  I believe I have the proven experience to serve APHA for the next four years.

I have served as a leader on many non-profit boards in my career, and I work as the executive director for a non-profit board right now.  I have a realistic understanding of the time and energy necessary to serve APHA on the Executive Board.  I am familiar with all of the components within APHA, and I have served as President of the Utah Public Health Association.  Since 1994, I have attended all annual APHA meetings, I helped co-plan and develop four annual conferences, I served as HAS Chairperson in 2003, and I have been a Governing Councilor for HAS several times.  I served on the Advisory Committee for The Nation’s Health, currently serve on the APHA Education Board, and I also served on TFAIR.  Every time I have attended a leadership meeting for APHA in Washington, D.C., I have made a special effort to advocate for APHA policies by meeting with elected officials from Utah and Nevada.   I have not missed any regularly scheduled leadership meetings while serving APHA.

I invite you to look at my candidate Web page on the APHA website (you must be logged in as a member).  I would love to hear from HAS members concerning your questions, concerns, and ideas for ways to help make APHA a stronger and more efficient organization.  You may contact me via e-mail (gaufin646@yahoo.com), by phone (435) 574-2015, or through Facebook.   I ask for your support for my candidacy this year!  Thank you.  Joyce Gaufin

Tom Quade, HA Member Running for APHA Executive Board

Tom Quade is the interim director of health with the City of Akron (Ohio) Health Department and holds a faculty appointment at the Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy. Tom describes his involvement with APHA as having been increasingly active since his graduate student years at Yale. He has been a member of the Epidemiology, Disabilities, and Health Administration Sections, depending upon his professional position. A past member of Governing Council, Tom now serves on the APHA Action Board, Joint Dues Committee, Committee on Affiliates, and he chairs the Affiliate Capacity Building Initiative Advisory Committee. Tom also has a long history of active involvement in every leadership position within his state affiliate. Tom professes his commitment to a strong and secure future for APHA with administrative policies that advance 1.) A robust and involved membership; 2.) A voice of advocacy fueled and guided by proactive evidence-based public health policy developed by the Governing Council and heard by increasing numbers of legislators both directly and indirectly through APHA’s education of the general public; and 3.) Effective tools to enhance timely and accessible communication between and within APHA’s many components, boards and committees.