Newsmakers: October 2013

Natalie McGill

Bard named one of six scholars in residence

APHA member Jennifer Bard, JD, MPH, in May was named one of six people chosen for the Scholars in Residence fellowship program. The fellowship is the result of a partnership between the Network for Public Health Law and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Each scholar in residence will work with a state or local health agency on a public health law issue. Bard will work with the city of Lubbock, Texas, on insect control in residential properties and its intersection with private property rights.

Evans named to top health professional list

APHA member Louise Evans, PhD, ABPP, in June was named one of International Biographical Centre’s Top 100 Health Professionals of 2012. Evans, who received a medal for the honor, is a charter fellow of the American Psychological Society and fellow of several divisions of the American Psychological Association.

Cheever named associate administrator

Laura Cheever, MD, ScM, in July was named associate administrator for the Health Resources and Services Administration’s HIV/AIDS Bureau. Cheever previously spent 10 years as the bureau’s deputy associate administrator and volunteers weekly at the Moore Clinic for HIV Care at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore.

Garcia named senior vice president for health sciences

Joe Garcia, MD, in June, was named the senior vice president for health sciences at the University of Arizona. Garcia, who began his position in September, was previously the Earl M. Bane professor of medicine, pharmacology and bioengineering and vice president for health affairs at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Guskiewicz named distinguished alumnus at Virginia college

Kevin Guskiewicz, PhD, ATC, in August received the 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Virginia’s Curry School of Education Foundation. Guskiewicz received the honor for his research on sports-related concussions and the long-term impacts of multiple concussions on neurological health. He is the founding director of the Matthew Gfeller Sport-Related Traumatic Brain Injury Research Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is the university’s Kenan Distinguished Professor in the Department of Exercise and Sports Medicine.

Health care leaders named to policy advisory board

The National Governors Association in July named several national health care leaders to its 10-member state health policy advisory board. Among those serving a two-year term are George Halvorson, chair of Kaiser Permanente; Peggy O’Kane, MHA, president of the National Committee for Quality Assurance; Mark Smith, MD, MBA, CEO of the California Healthcare Foundation; and Stephen Somers, PhD, president of the Center for Health Care Strategies. The board is a resource on topics such as the Affordable Care Act and health benefits for state employees.

Henry-Sanchez appointed to new position at Foundation Center

Brenda Henry-Sanchez, PhD, MPH, in July was named director of research for special projects at the Foundation Center. She will be responsible for handling research projects that deal with philanthropy. The Foundation Center is a resource for philanthropic organizations such as nonprofits.

Otto named first woman editor of cardiology journal

Catherine Otto, MD, in August was named the new editor of the journal Heart. Beginning in December, Otto will be the first woman to serve as an editor for the journal, which focuses on cardiovascular health. Otto is professor of medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine and is also the J. Ward Kennedy-Hamilton endowed chair in cardiology.

Rich appointed to new position at Population Reference Bureau

Susan Rich, MPH, in July, was named vice president of international programs at the Population Reference Bureau. Rich, who began her appointment in August, previously worked on family planning and reproductive health for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Women and Population program at the United Nations Foundation.

Young gains new position at Transportation for America

Erika Young in August was named as director of strategic partnerships for Transportation for America. Young previously worked as transportation director for the National Association of Regional Councils. Transportation for America advocates for transportation projects that promote safety, economic growth and convenience.