The College of Public Health was well represented during the FPHA meeting. Dean Donna Petersen introduced Dr. Maria Jose Francois, who gave the address at the luncheon sponsored by the College. The title of Dr. Francois’ address was: A Public Health Leader’s Journey. She received the College’s 2007 Public Health Woman of the Year award.

Dr. Charles Mahan spoke at a workshop on national accreditation of local and state health departments. Dr. Jeanine Coreil provided a session on the “Organizational Culture of Public Health Practice.” Dr. Lisa Brown, from FMHI and a consultant for the College’s Center for Public Health Preparedness, presented a session titled: Issues in Disaster Planning, Response, and Recovery with Older Adults.

Dr. Michael Reid moderated four sessions during the conference. He also chaired the Poster Committee that initiated the competitive review of proposals resulting in 22 posters being presented at the meeting. Seven of the authors of the posters were current scholars or graduates of USF’s Public Health Leadership Institute of Florida. Dean Donna Petersen was one of the reviewers for the poster proposals.

Ten of the twelve members of the FPHA Executive Board for 2006-2007 were graduates of the USF Public Health Leadership Institute. The outgoing President, Mr. Nick Chapman, and the incoming President, Mr. Michael Napier, are graduates of the Institute.

Three USF students, Heather Blunt, Teri Mala, and Cheryl Vamos, received scholarships from FPHA.

Five graduates of the Leadership Institute received Presidential Awards. In addition, the Public Health Leadership Institute of Florida itself received a Presidential Award for its partnership with FPHA. Institute staff members Dr. Danielle Landis, Kirsten Miller, Desiree Liburd, and Dr. Michael Reid were individually recognized.

Ms. Lindsey Johnson, a current Leadership Institute scholar, received the Homer D. Venters Award (one award annually to an outstanding public laboratory worker/FPHA member with less than 10 years experience in field). Dr. Heidar Heshmati, the Director of the Brevard County Health Department and a graduate of the Leadership Institute, received the Robert D. May Award (one award annually to a public health worker (from FPHA membership) who has demonstrated significant accomplishment in the advancement of public health at the local or state level). Dr. Michael Reid, Director of the Institute, received the FPHA Meritorious Service Award (one award annually to an FPHA member who has an outstanding record of contribution over several years to FPHA and Public Health).

…submitted by Dr. Michael Reid