Newsmakers: May/June 2016

Natalie McGill

Leach receives health department public health hero honor

The late Rice Cowan Leach, MD, received the 2016 Public Health Hero Award from the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department in March. Leach, who died April 1, was an APHA member who served as the department’s commissioner of health. He previously served in the U.S. Public Health Service and as Kentucky’s commissioner of public health. The award will be named in his honor.

Murthy receives national women’s association award

APHA member Padmini Murthy, MD, MPH, MS, CHES, MPhil, FAMWA, in March received the Blackwell Medal from the American Medical Women’s Association. Murthy is a member of APHA’s Governing Council and is a program co-chair of APHA’s International Health Section.

Aguilar-Gaxiola named to California Health Care Foundation board

Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola, MD, PhD, MS, in February was elected to the California Health Care Foundation’s Board of Directors. Aguilar-Gaxiola is the founding director of the University of California-Davis Health System’s Center for Reducing Health Disparities.

Kirchner receives early career award

Tom Kircnher, DrPH, in March received the Jarvik-Russell Early Career Award from the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. Kirchner is a clinical associate professor of global public health at New York University’s College of Global Public Health. The award allowed Kirchner to attend the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Annual Meeting to present research.

Lynch named director of NIH nutrition research office

Christopher Lynch, PhD, in February began his new role as director of the Office of Nutrition Research and chief of the Nutrition Research Branch of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Lynch previously served as professor and vice chair of Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine’s Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology.

Gellin wins pharmacist association national champion award

Bruce Gellin, MD, MPH, in February received a 2016 Immunization Champions Award in the friend of pharmacy category from the American Pharmacists Association. Gellin was recognized for his work in boosting U.S. immunization rates in his role as deputy assistant secretary for health and director of the National Vaccine Program Office.

Mart named director of operations at diabetes organization

Sarah Mart, MS, MPH, in March was named director of operations for DiabetesSisters. Mart previously served as director of research and research and policy manager for Alcohol Justice. She also served as a center associate for the U.S. Department of Education’s Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse and Violence Prevention.

Five scientists receive NIH grants for environmental health research

Five scientists in March received Outstanding New Environmental Scientist grants from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to conduct research on how the environment affects human health. The recipients are Daniel Gorelick, PhD; Michele La Merrill, PhD; Maitreyi Mazumdar, MD, MPH, MSc; Somshuvra Mukhopadhyay, MBBS, PhD; and Cheryl Rockwell, PhD. Gorelick is an assistant professor at the University of Alabama-Birmingham School of Medicine’s Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. La Merrill is an assistant professor at the University of California-Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences’ Department of Environmental Toxicology. Mazumdar is a staff physician in neurology at Boston Children’s Hospital and an assistant professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School. Mukhopadhyay is an assistant professor at the University of Texas-Austin’s College of Pharmacy. Rockwell is an assistant professor in pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University.

New additions to APHA staff

APHA has some new faces and role changes among its staff. Yasamin Brown, MPH, was hired as the project manager for the Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge in APHA’s Public Affairs and Advocacy unit. Darien Mather, MPH, is the new program associate for APHA’s Center for School, Health and Education. Melissa McNeily, MS, is the new deputy director of Affiliate affairs. Nancy Sherwood is the newest membership marketing manager for APHA’s membership services. Donna Washington is the new executive assistant to APHA Executive Director Georges Benjamin, MD. Charlene Bright is now the continuing education services manager for APHA’s Center for Professional Development, Public Health Systems and Partnerships.