February 2010
BCHW Buzz Welcome to the Black Caucus of Health Workers’ “BCHW BUZZ”, a periodic newsletter delivering the latest news on issues, events, and employment in the African American public health community!
The Road to the APHA Executive Board By Andrea Kidd‐Taylor
Inside this issue: 2 BCHW Program Topics for the 2010 APHA Annual Meeting 2009 Poindexter Award Dinner
2
Meet the 2009-2010 BCHW Executive Board
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BCHW President Achieves Career Milestone
3
BCHW Helps Haiti
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Linda A Murray, APHA 4 President-Elect Kudos to Larry Johnson
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My APHA Journey As a doctoral student at the Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, I joined the American Public Health Association (APHA) and attended my first annual meeting in 1988. At‐ tending the annual meeting was a great time for profes‐ sional development and net‐ working with other public health professionals and stu‐ dents; and I met several peo‐ ple working in my area of in‐ terest and expertise, occupa‐ tional health, safety, and health policy. I attended the Occupa‐ tional Health and Safety Sec‐ tion’s (OHS) business meeting and my involvement in APHA began. There were very few
people of color in attendance, however, my involvement in the OHS section was influ‐ enced by two very active Afri‐ can American members of the section—Ms. Darryl Alexander, the health and safety director for the American Federation of Teachers, and Dr. Linda Rae Murray, then on the medical staff of Cook County Hospital. The section was where many of the policies and resolutions concerning occupational health and safety were being developed, written and pre‐ sented to the Association for adoption. While I was still not very knowledgeable about APHA’s structure or govern‐ ance, I felt very comfortable working with members of the section and I was able to con‐
The Black Caucus Proposes an Impressive Program Agenda for the 2010 APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition The Black Caucus of Health
cultural competence and social
perspective of those communities.
Workers looks forward to yet
determinants, complementary
Researchers are urged to submit
another outstanding program
medicine and community‐based
abstracts to the Caucus to make
for the 2010 APHA Annual Meet‐
participatory research.
the program as robust as possible.
ing. This year's conference
The BCHW goal in developing a
More information about submit‐
theme is “Social Justice: Public
program for each APHA Annual
ting abstracts to BCHW can be
Health Imperative “. BCHW’s
Meeting is to ensure that issues
found at http://apha.confex.com/ apha/138am/bc.htm .
conference program includes 18
relevant to advancing the health
topic areas, including the envi‐
of communities of color are pre‐
ronment, maternal child health,
sented, and presented from the
Andrea Kidd-Taylor, DrPH, MSPH
tribute. Two years later, I was asked to run as a section coun‐ cilor, after which I was elected as the OHS Section Chair. My next office was as a Governing Councilor for the section. As I became more familiar with APHA policies, the structure of the Association and its continued on p. 3
BCHW Call for Abstracts for the 2010 APHA Scientific Sessions has been extended.
New Deadline February 19, 2010
BCHW Buzz
BCHW 2010 Call for Abstracts: Topic Areas This Call for Abstracts for the scientific sessions requests papers relevant to peoples of the African Diaspora in the following topic areas:
African Americans and Infant Mortality: What are African American public health proDeadline for abstracts has been extended to February 19, 2010. Submit yours today at: http:// apha.confex.com/ apha/138am/bc.htm
We are on the Web: BCHW1968.net
fessionals doing to solve this problem? Alternative Medicine Practices in Communities of Color Community Based Participatory Research: Are We Really Participating? Cultural Competence in Public Health Education: The Impact on students of color Environmental Inequality Framing Our Future: Where have the Health Care Providers Gone? Health Literacy and Health Outcomes for Communities of Color Healthy Babies Begin With Us: African Americans Promoting Healthy Pregnancy Improving Health Resources for the Elderly Politics and Public Health Systems: The Allocation of Resources Public Health Imperative: Using Technology for Healthy Living Social Determinants of Health: Interventions to Reduce Disparities Social Justice of Preconception Among African American Women Social Justice: Addressing the Plague of Chronic Disease in Communities of Color Social injustice of incarcerated men, women and children Structural and Systematic Impact of Violence on Communities of Color Successful Approaches to Reaching Special Populations Where has the Extended Family Gone: An Imperative for Healthier Communities
2009 Hildrus Augustus Poindexter Awards Dinner Dr. Terry Mason, Chief Medical Offi‐ cer for the Cook County Bureau of Health Services gave a rousing key‐ note address about the great work still ahead in addressing health issues of minority populations, and re‐ minded the audience that, “We’ve got a lot of work to do. Not just here, but throughout the Diaspora.” Awardees: Camara Jones, MD, MPH, PhD —Dr. Camara P. Jones is the recipient of the 2009 Hildrus A. Poindexter Award for Distinguished Service. Dr. Jones is the Research Director on Social De‐ terminants of Health and Equity Emerging Investigations and Analytic Methods Branch in the Division of Adult and Community Health at the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Camara P. Jones Page 2
Coordinating Center for Health Pro‐ motion of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Apryl Brown, MD, MPH, received the 2009 Community Leadership Award for her outstanding contribu‐ tions to the field of public health. and as a leader, mentor, and health advo‐ cate for communities of color. Jarnell Burks‐Craig—Rep. Jarnell Burks‐Craig is the recipient of the 2009 Representative Louis Stokes Legislative Service Award for her outstanding career and continued advocacy for communities of color.
Dr. Richard David for the Pamela Denzmore award given to mem‐ bers of BCHW that have shown exemplary dedication and com‐ mitment to the Mission of BCHW.
Apryl R. Brown
The 2009‐2010 BCHW Board Each year, during the BCHW Membership meeting, officers are elected. The officers duties include leading the Caucus in regard to its responsibilities to its members, including: finan‐ cial stewardship, representing the Caucus’ interest within APHA, establishing the Caucus’ annual meeting activities—pre‐ meeting colloquium, pre‐ meeting retreat and leadership development for officers and members, the scientific pro‐ gram and the Annual Hildrus A. Poindexter Awards Dinner.
2009‐2010 OFFICERS
President…………...Jill Dingle President Elect….Selena Smith Vice President...George Smith Treasurer………..Cherie Forsha Secretary…...Lindsay Hemphill Corresponding Secretary Annette Snyder Immediate Past President Claude‐Alix Jacob Members‐at‐Large: Shakirudeen Amuwo, Apryl Brown, Albert Pless, Knesha Rose, and Craig Spivey
Road to APHA’s Executive Board continued from p. 1 governance procedures, I was selected to serve on several standing committees within the Association. In 2007, I was elected to serve a four‐year term on the Executive Board, where I am in a better posi‐ tion to influence the policy decisions of the Association, as well as its strategic direc‐ tion. I encourage members of BCHW to be actively involved in APHA governance. As pub‐ lic health policies are on the Executive Board, where I am
in a better position to influ‐ ence the policy decisions of the Association, as well as its strategic direction. It is extremely important that the voices of BCHW, the oldest caucus in APHA, are heard. BCHW has a long standing history of advocating for the health of the disen‐ franchised in the community. Policies and resolutions adopted and advocated for by the Association have influ‐ enced federal legislation (i.e. health reform) and even
Front Row (l‐r): Selena Smith, Jill Dingle, George Smith, Craig Spivey. Back Row (l‐r): Cherie Forsha, Lindsey Abraham, Albert Pless, Knisha Rose, Annette Snyder, Apryl Brown, Shakirudeen Amuwo.
international policies. BCHW cannot afford to lie idle and allow others to act on our be‐ half. A Little About APHA… The American Public Health Association (APHA) is the oldest and most diverse organization of public health professionals in the world. There are approximately 24,000 members. The Govern‐ ing Council (GC) is APHA’s legis‐ lative body and consists of vot‐ ing and non‐voting members from sections, caucuses (non‐ voting members), and forums,
Special Interest Groups, state affiliates, and several standing committees. The GC meets during the APHA annual meeting to vote and adopt proposed policies and resolutions. The APHA Executive Board (EB) carries out established policies and adopts interim public policy, if necessary, between the GC meetings. The EB has fiscal and fidu‐ ciary oversight of APHA, and selects and hires the Executive Director. This year the EB will evaluate and update the Asso‐ ciation’s strategic plan.
BCHW President Achieves Career Milestone
Jill Dingle, BCHW President Page 3
BCHW congratulates Jill W. Dingle, MPH for complet‐ ing the National Public Health Leadership Institute (PHLI) training as a member of the Year 19 graduating class. Ms. Dingle is the President of the BCHW and currently serves as the Associate Director, Pri‐ mary Care Section at the AIDS Institute of the New York State Department of Health.
The PHLI is a one‐year leader‐ ship development program for high‐potential leaders with a commitment to leading in their own organizations and commu‐ nities but also leading system change on the national scene. The national training is offered by the Centers for Dis‐ ease Control & Prevention, the Center for Creative Leadership and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School
of Public Health. PHLI Alumni and BCHW members include Claude‐Alix Jacob, Chief Public Health Officer for the City of Cambridge, Massachu‐ setts and Dr. David Satcher, former US Surgeon General and recipient of the 2007 Hildrus A. Poindexter Award for Distinguished Ser‐ vice.
BCHW Board Votes to Help Haiti Release Date March 2010
Following the devastating earth‐ quake in January in the island nation of Haiti, the BCHW Executive Board voted to send $250 to Yéle Haiti, on behalf of the BCHW in demonstration of its commitment to support vulner‐ able, minority populations in the Dias‐ pora. The Board urges BCHW members to consider their personal commit‐ ment, and to contribute generously and often. There is a need for ongo‐ ing financial and volunteer support for rebuilding efforts . The aftermath of the earthquake will have health ramifications for years to come and ongoing financial support is imperative.
Dr. Linda Murray , 2010 APHA President‐Elect Kudos to Larry Johnson BCHW member, Dr. Linda, was elected as the APHA president‐ elect at the 2009 Annual Meeting and Exposition. Dr. Murray has been an active member of a wide range of local and national organizations in‐ cluding serving as a member of the Board of Scientific Counselors for the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), the Board of Scientific Counselors for the Na‐ tional Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Board of Directors of Trinity Health. Today she serves as the Chief Medi‐ cal Officer for the Cook County De‐ partment of Public Health (suburbs surrounding Chicago) of the Cook County Health & Hospital System, one of the largest jurisdictions in the
nation. She practices as a general internist at a Chicago south side community health center and is an attending physi‐ cian in the Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at Stroger (Cook County) Hospital. Dr. Murray is an adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health (Occupational & Environmental Health and the Health Policy & Administration Departments). Dr. Murray plays a leadership role in many organizations including the National Association of City & County Health Offi‐ cers’ Health Equity & Social Justice Team, and serves on the board of the Chicago‐ based Health and Medicine Policy Re‐ search Group. She has served in a variety of leadership positions in her primary section, Occupational Health and Safety, served on a wide number of APHA com‐ mittees . She served two terms on APHA’s national executive board. She has been a voice for social justice and health care as a basic human right for over forty years.
BCHW member, Larry L. Johnson was recently re‐ elected as the presiding officer of the DeKalb County (Georgia) Board of Commissioners for the 2010 board year. DeKalb County is Geor‐ gia’s second most populated county. As the Presiding Officer, Larry chairs all Commission meetings, appoints stand‐ ing committees and sets the agenda for the Board of Commission meetings. Larry graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign with a Bachelor in Community Health and later earned a Masters Degree in Public Health from the University of Northern Colorado. Larry was appointed chair of the Health Disparities Subcommittee from 2005‐2008 for the National Association of Counties (NACo). In 2008, he was appointed as Vice Chair of the NACo Health Steering Com‐ mittee.