Newsmakers

Sabrina Halberg

APHA members appointed to Healthy People advisory committee

APHA members Abdulrahman El-Sayed, MD, DPhil; Jonathan Fielding, MD, MPH, MBA, MA; Susan Goekler, PhD, MCHES; Cynthia Gomez, PhD; Paul Halverson, DrPH, MHSA, FACHE; Mary Pittman, DrPH; and Therese Richmond, PhD, CRNP, FAAN, were appointed in November to the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives for 2030. Fielding serves as a distinguished professor of health policy and management and of pediatrics at the Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California-Los Angeles. El-Sayed serves as executive director and health officer of the Detroit Health Department. Goekler is emeritus CEO at the American School Health Association. Gomez is director at the Health Equity Institute. Halverson is the founding dean and professor of Indiana University’s Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health. Pittman is president and CEO at the Public Health Institute. Richmond is the Andrea B. Laporte professor of nursing and associate dean for research and innovation at the University of Pennsylvania. The advisory committee will provide recommendations on Healthy People 2030, which will set new health objectives for the nation.

Chokshi appointed to prevention advisory board

APHA member Dave Ashok Chokshi, MD, MSc, FACP, in December was appointed to the Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion and Integrative and Public Health by President Barack Obama. He is chief population officer of OneCity Health, senior assistant vice president at New York City Health and Hospitals, primary care provider at Bellevue Hospital and assistant professor of population health and medicine at New York University.

El-Mohandes earns diversity award

APHA member Ayman El-Mohandes, dean of the City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Policy and a former member of APHA’s Executive Board, in November was named by the Manhattan-Staten Island New York State Area Health Education Center System as a Champion of Diversity. He was recognized for his comprehensive understanding of medical inequities and commended for his work in increasing diversity in the field of health, in part with his efforts to shape the minds of future leaders.

Omalu earns Distinguished Service Award from AMA

APHA member Bennet Omalu, MD, MPH, MBA, in November was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from American Medical Association. Omalu, chief medical examiner for the San Joaquin County Coroner’s Office and clinical associate professor at the University of California-Davis, was recognized for researching and discovering chronic traumatic encephalopathy in American football athletes and his courage in informing the public when facing pushback.

Silverstein and Tseng named members of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

APHA member Michael Silverstein, MD, MPH, and Chien-Wen Tseng, MD, MPH, MSEE, in November were appointed to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Silverstein, whose research focus is child and family mental health services, is an associate professor, director and vice chair in the pediatric field at Boston University and a staff pediatrician at Boston Medical Center. Tseng is an endowed chair in health services and quality research, associate professor and associate research director in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Hawaii. Her research focus is on health care quality and affordability.

Bernhardt elected president of transportation group

David Bernhardt in November was elected president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Bernhardt is commissioner of Maine’s Department of Transportation and previously served as the department’s director of engineering and operations.

Bright selected as leader on US preparedness

Rick Bright, MD, PhD, in November was named U.S. deputy assistant secretary for preparedness and response and director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. Bright previously served as director of the U.S. authority’s Influenza and Emerging Infectious Disease Division.

Horowitch selected as CEO of Easter Seals

Jonathan Horowitch, MBA, in November was chosen as president and CEO of Easter Seals serving DC, MD, VA. Horowitch, the former chief operating officer at the organization, will focus on re-molding the way people view and treat disability and special needs.

Kraft selected president-elect of AAP

Colleen Kraft, MD, FAAP, in November was chosen as president-elect of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Kraft has served as president of the Virginia chapter of AAP and is an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati and medical director of Cincinnati Children’s Health Network.

McMahon awarded 2016 Colvin Prize

Francis McMahon, MD, was awarded the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation’s 2016 Colvin Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Mood Disorder Research by the National Institute of Mental Health. McMahon, chief of the human genetics branch at NIMH, was recognized for his work on identifying genes linked to the risk of mood and anxiety disorders to help further diagnosis and treatment. Two other NIMH grantees also were named recipients of the prize.

Milan named president and CEO of AIDS United

Jesse Milan Jr., JD, in November was chosen as AIDS United president and CEO. Milan, former interim president and CEO of AIDS United, serves on the Scientific Advisory Board for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and has co-chaired the Advisory Committee on HIV and STD Prevention and Treatment of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Health Resources and Services and Administration.

Miller named chief executive officer

Amy Miller, PhD, in November was chosen as the new CEO of the Society for Women’s Health Research. Miller previously served as executive vice president of the Personalized Medicine Coalition.

Rodriguez awarded OSU Public Health Practitioner Award

Jose Rodriguez, MA, MD, in November was awarded the Public Health Practitioner Award by the Ohio State University College of Public Health. Rodriguez serves as director of Public Affairs and Communications at Columbus Public Health. The award was one of several Champions of Public Health Awards presented by the university to honor leaders in the state.

Szanton awarded top influencer in aging

Sarah Szanton, PhD, ANP, FAAN, in November was named one of Next Avenues’ top 50 2016 Influencers in Aging. Szanton, an associate professor at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, founded Community Aging in Place-Advancing Better Living for Elders, a program that eases the aging process and improves the health of older adults. She is also a leader in research on injury prevention and the impact of access to food and energy on the health of seniors.