Newsmakers: April 2011

Anushka Chadha

Communities receive healthy aging awards

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in February honored four communities for their efforts to improve seniors’ health. EPA presented its Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging Award to Brazos Valley Council of Governments in Texas; the city of Charlotte, N.C.; the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services in Virginia; and the Philadelphia Corporation on Aging.

Cottler appointed department chair

APHA member Linda B. Cottler, PhD, MPH, in February was named founding chair of the University of Florida’s Department of Epidemiology. The new department is administered jointly by the university’s College of Medicine and College of Public Health and Health Professions. Cottler previously served as a professor and researcher at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Thomas named health director

Monecia R. Thomas, MHA, in March was named health director for Yadkin County, N.C. Thomas previously worked with the North Carolina Institute for Public Health, focusing primarily on developing programs for public health leadership and management.

Graham to oversee health care improvement program

Robert Graham, MD, in February was named national program director of Aligning Forces for Quality, a health care improvement program sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Graham will also serve as a health policy research professor at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services.

Navy surgeon general, drug policy director receive service award

The American Medical Association in February presented the Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service to Vice Admiral Adam M. Robinson Jr., MD, U.S. Navy surgeon general and chief of the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. Also receiving the award was National Drug Control Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske. The award recognizes government officials’ outstanding efforts to improve the public’s health.

Minasian named acting director

Lori Minasian in February was named acting director of the Division of Cancer Prevention at the National Cancer Institute. She will hold the role until a permanent division director is selected.

EPA honors environmental justice efforts

The Environmental Protection Agency in December recognized five partnerships for their contributions to advancing environmental justice in communities. Receiving EPA’s National Achievements in Environmental Justice Award were: EcoCenter at Heron’s Head Park Partnership in San Francisco, Enlace Caño Martin Peña in Puerto Rico, Lead Poisoning Prevention Citizen’s Advisory Task Force in San Diego, Oregon Environmental Justice Task Force and Transportation Equity — Stops for Us Coalition in St. Paul.

Moulton takes new role at CDC

Tony Moulton, PhD, was named associate director for policy for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Laboratory Science Policy and Practice Program Office. Moulton previously directed CDC’s Public Health Law Program.

Vincent selected as HUD regional administrator

Jane C.W. Vincent, MPA, in December was named Department of Housing and Urban Development regional administrator for Region III, which oversees the Mid-Atlantic area. Vincent will serve as a liaison to elected representatives, local officials, congressional delegations, stakeholders and customers while overseeing the delivery of HUD programs in her region.

Alexander appointed to Texas council

James Alexander, PhD, in September was appointed to the Texas Statewide Health Coordinating Council. An associate professor at Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health, Alexander is serving a three-year term on the council, which strives to ensure that health care services and facilities, as well as health planning activities, are available throughout Texas.