Title: Chair's Report

Author:

Section/SPIG: Health Administration

Issue Date:

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August, 2003

My term as the Chair of the Health Administration Section is quickly drawing to a close, and I want to say thank you for the opportunity to serve the section. There's still a little time left to finish some of the work I personally had hoped to accomplish as your Chair. Two of those tasks are addressed in related articles in this edition of the newsletter.

The first item is the HAS sponsored Continuing Education Institute this year on mentoring and coaching skills to develop 21st century leaders. Carol Woltring describes the session she is developing for all APHA attendees, with a special invitation to HAS members. This session has been crafted based on requests from the member survey HAS conducted last year. Members indicated a high desire for more "meaty" training opportunities, and mentoring skill development was mentioned as a priority. We've answered your call to action!

The second article describes practical ways our section can promote mentoring relationships throughout the year, with a few specific ideas for maximizing contact with students during the annual meeting. I hope you will take the time to look at both of these articles.

This is also my last opportunity to use the newsletter as an organizational voice to acknowledge the fine group of individuals who serve the HAS throughout the year, so please join me in expressing appreciation to the following:

Jon Thompson, Chair-elect. Jon has demonstrated his commitment to the HAS by serving as a Section Councilor, and more recently as the Program Planner for the 2002 meeting. I sincerely appreciate his enthusiasm, especially in advancing the strategic plan for the Section. The HAS will be in good hands under the leadership of Jon Thompson!

Jorg Westermann has been the 2003 Program Chairperson, having spent the previous year as Co-Chair. Jorg has mastered the program planning process, demonstrating great diplomacy and energy throughout the past year. This assignment is probably the most challenging for the Section; and everyone who has served this position can attest to the effort that is expended to bring forward an excellent program. We thank you, Jorg, and congratulate you on your election this year as HAS Chairperson-elect! PS.. Thanks for serving as our IT chair, and for maintaining our Web site.

Diane Adams has been the ever-diligent Program Co-Chairperson this year, helping to bring new enthusiasm and ideas to the process. Diane championed the incorporation of additional sessions on health and technology into the "Call for Papers" process. Diane has also used her wide personal and professional network to generate submissions from many new presenters this year. Diane, when you say you will do something, you really get it done! Thanks for your help this year, and I know Jon is happy you will be serving as the Chairperson next year.

The fact that you are reading this newsletter is due to the incredible efforts of our Editor, Laura Larsson. Can you ever remember a time when someone reached out so creatively and enthusiastically to draw you into the publication process-to

Don't pack your bags for the APHA Annual Meeting until you've read the three articles posted in this issue!

share your success stories, and even give us some personal insight into your public health world? Laura has been in touch with me several times a month throughout the year bringing forward great ideas to enhance the professionalism and usefulness of this newsletter. Behind the scenes, Laura has challenged APHA staff to make systems changes to bring the process into the 21st century. Laura, what else can I say except thank you, thank you, thank you!

I've been following in the footsteps of two great HAS leaders, Giorgio Picaggli and Vonna Henry. Their support and encouragement has meant so much to me both personally and professionally. They continue to make significant contributions to the HAS. Thanks.

Tricia Todd continues to lead our strategic planning process. Polly Turner has taken on the challenge of membership and staffing the booth at the annual meeting. LaTonia Peters has been the mover and shaker behind student affairs and the mentoring project. Bud Nicola is working to create cross-connections with other professional organizations of like-minds through the linkages committee. Michael Smylie has been our policy chairperson this year; thanks for jumping into this process!

Thanks to Linda Landesman for her encouragement and ideas for continuing education events. Marcia Levy Rosenstein came through again to ensure that our formal awards process was well managed. We can take time to thank her and others at the HAS Social and Awards reception on Tuesday, Nov. 18 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. At that time, I will formally acknowledge the Section Councilors and Governing Councilors for their tireless service.

There are countless people who work behind the scenes to make the HAS one of the most active sections in APHA. I wish I had the space to send a personal thanks to each one of you through this newsletter. For now, please accept my appreciation for all you have done to make this a great and productive year. I look forward to meeting you in San Francisco. Until then, take care.

Joyce R. Gaufin, Chair
Health Administration Section