Lab Matters Fall 2023 | Page 13

MEMBERSHIP of ‘ serving those who have served .’ This award honors an individual who exhibits the attributes of a leader , encourager , advocate and developer , and who has 10 or more years of service in a state , local or territorial public health laboratory , or other public health laboratory partner .

• Kristina McCallum , manager , Biochemistry Laboratory , Division of Laboratory Services , Colorado Department of Agriculture

• Kelly Winter , PhD , MPH , branch chief , Training and Workforce Development Branch , Division of Laboratory Systems , US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Champion of the Public Health Laboratory Award . Recognizes federal , state and local elected officials or executive branch employees who have recognized the importance of state and local governmental laboratories that perform testing of public health significance either through support of legislation or federal agency decisions .

• Demetre Daskalakis , MD , MPH , director , Division of HIV Prevention , US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Presidential Award . The APHL Presidential Award was selected by Dr . Daphne Ware during her Presidential year ( 2022 – 2023 ) for the significant contributions that were made to the association ’ s work to promote policies that strengthen public health laboratories .

• Judith Monroe , MD , president and chief executive officer , CDC Foundation

Healthiest Laboratory Award . Given to an APHL member laboratory that is committed to safety , environmental process , environmental policy and employee health and wellness .

• Winner : Nebraska Public Health Laboratory

• Runner-up : San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility Laboratory

Thomas E . Maxson Education , Training and Workforce Development Award . Established in 1998 in memory of Dr . Maxson , this award honors an APHL member who is a public health or clinical laboratory practitioner , trainer or educator who has made significant contributions to public health laboratory practice by creating , delivering or developing continuing education opportunities , programs , policies or practices for the laboratory community .

• Crystal Fortune , laboratory biosafety coordinator and newborn screening short-term follow-up coordinator , Montana State Public Health Laboratory g

APHL Presents New Member Values

After the changes wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic , APHL leadership began seeking member input about putting APHL ’ s values into words . As a result , APHL announced four core values that would be added to its membership statements and serve as touchpoints for APHL members going forward .

Community : We actively foster meaningful connections and belonging among members and partners to promote collaboration , growth and diversity of thought that maximizes our contributions to advance public health .

Diversity , Equity , Inclusion and Accessibility : We embrace , promote and model a culture of diversity , equity , inclusion and accessibility and recognize it as essential to the work we perform and the communities we serve .

Innovation : We meet the diverse and ever-changing public health landscape through forward-thinking and adaptive leadership .

Scientific and Professional Integrity : We are a trusted leader in public health , striving for continuous improvement and the highest level of ethics and honesty in laboratory science and practice .