Newsmakers

Hanna-Attisha wins public policy award

APHA member Mona Hanna-Attisha, MD, MPH, in September received the Heinz Award from the Heinz Family Foundation for her contributions to public policy. She was honored for her work in Flint, Michigan, to expose high levels of lead in children and create national awareness of the health risks created by exposure to lead and deficiencies in water supply infrastructure.

Halkitis recognized as researcher of the year

APHA member Perry Halkitis, PhD, MPH, MS, in August was recognized by the American Psychological Association as researcher of the year. Halkitis recently became the dean of Rutgers University’s School of Public Health, and his research focuses on masculinities among gay men.

Jacobson wins health law teacher award

APHA member Peter Jacobson, JD, MPH, in June was awarded the 2017 Jay Healey Distinguished Health Law Teacher Award by the American Society of Law, Medicine and Ethics. Jacobson retired in August from his position as professor of health law and policy at the University of Michigan School of Public health.

Public health leaders win awards from Association of State and Territorial Health Officials

The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials in September honored several public health leaders at its 2017 Annual Meeting. Georges Benjamin, MD, executive director of APHA, was awarded the Ed Thompson 2017 Lifetime Achievement Medal; APHA member Edward Ehlinger, MD, commissioner of health for the Minnesota Department of Health, received the Arthur T. McCormack 2017 Award; APHA member Paul Jarris, MD, chief medical officer for the March of Dimes, was awarded the ASTHO Alumni 2017 Award; J. Patrick O’Neal, MD, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health, received the State Excellence Award; and Keith Yamamoto, MPA, deputy director of the Hawaii Department of Health, was awarded the Noble J. Swearingen 2017 Award.

Magaña Valladares begins term as association president and CEO

Laura Magaña Valladares, PhD, MS, in August began her tenure as president and CEO of the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health. Valladares is the academic dean of the National Institute of Public Health in Mexico and was elected in 2014 to the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine global commission.

Bell joins National Foundation for Infectious Disease board of directors

Beth Bell, MD, MPH, in July joined the 2017-2018 board of directors for the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. Bell is past director of the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

APHA hires new staff members

Several new professionals have joined APHA’s staff in recent months. Joseph Bremner, MBA, deputy director of marketing, joined in September; Olubukolami “Mimi” Musa, program associate in Environmental Health, began in July; and David Richards, technical project coordinator for the Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge, began in September.

Solomon named senior vice president of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Lesley Solomon, MBA, in June was named senior vice president for innovation and chief innovation officer of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Solomon was previously the strategy innovation director at Brigham and Women’s Hospitals.

Sharpless appointed as NCI director

Ned Sharpless, MD, in June was appointed as director of the National Cancer Institute. Sharpless is the University of North Carolina School of Medicine’s Wellcome distinguished professor in cancer research and served as director of the university’s Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Rosen elected president of American Academy of Sleep Medicine board of directors

Ilene Rosen, MD, MSCE, in June was elected and began her term as the 32nd president of the board of directors for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. She is an associate professor of clinical medicine at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine as well as the program director of the Penn Sleep Fellowship.

Dorn joins Families USA as senior fellow

Stan Dorn, JD, in July joined Families USA as a senior fellow. Dorn was formerly a senior fellow and senior research associate at the Urban institute and was previously managing attorney at the National Health Law Program as well as the health division director at the Children’s Defense Fund.

Mann receives award for climate science communications

Michael Mann, PhD, MS, in June received the Stephen H. Schneider Award for Outstanding Climate Science Communications from Climate One. Mann is a professor of atmospheric science and director of Pennsylvania State University’s Earth System Science Center.

Hoffman assumes deputy director position as Organization for Associate Degree Nursing

Bryan Hoffman, MA, in July assumed the position of deputy director of the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing. He previously served as the program manager for the Academic Progression in Nursing and the technical advisor for international programs at the Center for Development and Population Activities.

Wooster chosen as associate director of public affairs for the American College of Emergency Physicians

Laura Wooster, MPH, in July was named the associate director for public affairs for the American College of Emergency Physicians. Wooster previously served as the American Osteopathic Association’s senior vice president of public policy.

Sullivan becomes director of policy and programs at the Alliance for Health Policy

Jennifer Sullivan, MHS, in July began her position as director of policy and programs at the Alliance for Health Policy. She most recently served as the vice president of programs at Enroll America, and previously worked at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Received a promotion or award? Debuted a new program or website? We want to know about it and share it here in Newsmakers. Send your news to julia.haskins{at}apha.org.