MEMBERSHIP
APHL 2023 : Where Laboratory Science and Public Health Meet
Over 1,500 public health scientists and administrators attended APHL 2023 in Sacramento , CA and virtually May 22 – 25 . APHL welcomed over 120 participants from the Public Health Laboratory Fellowship Program : an APHL-CDC Initiative . Zubin Damania , MD , brought his comedic wit , rapping skills and videos to the Dr . Katherine Kelley Session . And APHL presented its annual awards for outstanding achievements in laboratory science , creative approaches to solving today ’ s public health challenges and exemplary support of laboratories serving the public ’ s health .
The following awards were presented :
Lifetime Achievement Award . Recognizes individuals who have established a history of distinguished service to APHL , made significant contributions to the advancement of public health laboratory science or practice , exhibited leadership in the field of public health and / or positively influenced public health policy on a national or global level . This is not a retirement award , but a true Lifetime Achievement Award .
• Ralph Timperi , MPH , former director , Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory ; retired , APHL
• Eric Blank , DrPH , former director , Missouri State Public Health Laboratory ; retired , APHL
Gold Standard Award . Given to an APHL member who makes or has made significant contributions to the technical advancement of public health laboratory science and / or practice .
• Amy Miles , director , Forensic Toxicology Section , Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene
Silver Award . Honors a laboratorian with 10-15 years of service in a Governmental public health laboratory ( either public health or environmental / agricultural laboratory ). The honoree will be recognized as a leader both within their home laboratory as well as external to their laboratory .
• Elizabeth Nazarian , research scientist , Bacteriology Laboratory , Wadsworth Center , New York State Department of Health
On the Front Line Award . Honors an individual or laboratory outside of the APHL membership who makes significant contributions to the advancement of public health laboratory science and / or practice .
• Nathan Grubaugh , PhD , MS , associate professor , Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases , Yale School of Public Health ; affiliated faculty , Yale Institute for Global Health
Emerging Leader Award . Honors an individual whose leadership has been instrumental in one or more advances in laboratory science , practice , management , policy or education early in their career .
• Emily McCutchen , MS , manager , Nebraska Public Health Laboratory
• Michael Perry , MS , MSEd , associate director , Biodefense Laboratory , Wadsworth Center , New York State Department of Health
Leadership in Biosafety and Biosecurity Award . Honors a laboratorian with over 10 years of related service in the field of biosafety and biosecurity in a state and / or local public health laboratory . The honoree will be recognized as a leader both within their home laboratory as well as external to their laboratory ( for example , by serving in a leadership role in committees / taskforces at the national level ).
• Leah Gillis , PhD , adjunct professor , DrPH Public Health and Clinical Laboratory Science and Practice Program , College of Public Health , University of South Florida
LEAD Award . Established in 2021 , this award recognizes the legacy of Eva J . Perlman , APHL ’ s first chief learning officer , who over three decades helped shape the public health laboratory workforce and represented the attributes
2023 APHL Awards Ceremony winners . Photo : Wale Ariztos
10 LAB MATTERS Fall 2023
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