Newsmakers: January 2014

Natalie McGill

APHA members named to health equity committee

Four APHA members in September were appointed to the California Department of Public Health’s Office of Health Equity Advisory Committee. They will be responsible for reducing the physical and mental health disparities in health care statewide. The following members will serve on the 24-member committee: Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola, MD, PhD, director of the Center on Reducing Health Disparities at the University of California-Davis School of Medicine; Paula Braveman, MD, MPH, director of the Center on Social Disparities in Health at the University of California-San Francisco; Alvaro Garza, MD, MPH, health officer for the San Benito County Health and Human Services Agency; and Cynthia Gómez, PhD, founding director of San Francisco State University’s Health Equity Institute.

Marshall receives Indiana school’s medal for excellence

APHA member Edwin Marshall, OD, MPH, MS, in September received the Indiana University President’s Medal for Excellence. Marshall, who was recognized for his public health service, previously served as Indiana University’s vice president for diversity, equity and multicultural affairs and as president of the Indiana Public Health Association. Marshall is also a founding member of APHA’s Vision Care Section.

Walker honored by Swedish foundation

APHA member Paul Walker, PhD, in September was named a 2013 Right Livelihood Award Laureate by the Right Livelihood Award Foundation. The foundation, based in Stockholm, recognized Walker for his work advocating for a world free of chemical weapons. Walker is the director of environmental security and sustainability at Green Cross International.

Begich named behavioral health champion

Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, in September was named the 2013 Behavioral Health Champion by the National Council for Behavioral Health. Begich received the award for being a leader on congressional legislation regarding behavioral health, such as the Mental Health First Aid Act. The National Council for Behavioral Health is a nonprofit association that advocates for access to quality mental health care.

Freeze honored for bacteria discovery

Hudson Freeze, PhD, in September was given the 2013 Golden Goose Award for the 1966 discovery of Thermus aquaticus, a bacteria linked to the development of biotechnology and genomics. Freeze is vice president-elect for science policy for the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.

Grifo named new official at Environmental Protection Agency

Francesca Grifo, PhD, in November was named the new scientific integrity official for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In her new role, Grifo will promote ethical standards in EPA’s scientific integrity policy and will chair a scientific integrity committee. Previously, Grifo served as senior scientist and director of the Union of Concerned Scientists’ Scientific Integrity Program.

Hassink named president-elect at pediatrics organization

Sandra Hassink, MD, FAAP, in November was named the president-elect of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Hassink is a pediatrician at the Nemours-Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children and director of the Nemours Pediatric Obesity Initiative, both in Wilmington, Del.

Johns Hopkins School of Nursing honored for excellence

The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing in August was named a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. The Baltimore school was recognized at a Sept. 20 ceremony in Washington, D.C., for its high standards, innovation and commitment to quality. The National League for Nursing promotes quality in nursing education.

Kolodny named chief medical officer at addiction treatment center

Andrew Kolodny, MD, in September was named chief medical officer at Phoenix House, a substance abuse treatment and prevention center that has programs nationwide. Kolodny previously served as chair of psychiatry at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Qureshi named academy nursing fellow

Kristine Qureshi, DNSc, RN, CEN, APHN-BC, in October was named a 2013 American Academy of Nursing fellow. Qureshi, who focuses on nurse workforce development and public health preparedness, currently serves as an associate professor and director of public and global health nursing in the University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene.