PRESIDENT’ S MESSAGE
Making Strong Connections
APHL is a unique organization where the team is as committed to and passionate about public health as the members.... The organization survives and thrives not only because of what we do as members, but also because of what each staff member is committed to delivering to members on behalf of APHL.”
Scott Shone, PhD, HCLD( ABB) President, APHL
As I began my term as APHL President, I had the opportunity to attend APHL Week and get to meet many association staff who I normally would not have had the chance to see, unless we were at a conference or meeting. Until my session on Day One, where I was sitting on the stage and looking out at a ballroom full of 250 + people, I did not appreciate the scale of behind-the-scenes work that happens to make our association operate so successfully.
Being able to make that connection with APHL staff and speak directly to them about how important their role is in the association was a special experience. APHL is a unique organization where the team is as committed to and passionate about public health as the members. No matter what department or program they work in, they bring much needed enthusiasm, expertise and support to each of their roles. The organization survives and thrives not only because of what we do as members, but also because of what each staff member is committed to delivering to members on behalf of APHL. Scott Becker likes to say
that we are a unique association and he’ s right: APHL works on behalf of its members and we get stuff done.
For members, I think it remains important to keep the lines of communication and feedback open with APHL staff because, like us, they continue to weather financial uncertainty and priorities that change due to external forces. Since early 2025, APHL staff have been the epitome of resilience and“ grace under pressure,” and I believe it is critical for us to acknowledge their dedication, if only to let them know that yes, they are connected to our work as public health laboratories— and as public health laboratorians. The work that we do would be much harder without them, and without APHL.
North Carolina recently had the privilege of hosting the APHL Leadership in Biosafety Workshop in June, an opportunity for biosafety officers and biosafety professionals from around the country to convene and develop skills in leadership, project management, communications and building effective outreach programs. This workshop also provided a forum for biosafety officials to review case studies on failures in biosafety, ask questions in a small classroom setting and network with each other. Hosting this event was only possible with APHL’ s leadership and organization. From coordinating travel to recruiting faculty to planning the curriculum, APHL was integral to the success of the 2 1 / 2 day event.
As public health laboratories continue to do their work day in and day out, we look to APHL to provide guidance on thinking strategically about the future of public health and public health laboratory science. As you will read in this issue’ s feature, the association will continue to advocate for laboratory safety, quality and efficiency. It will carry on with its mission to shape national and global health outcomes by promoting the value and contributions of public health laboratories and continuously improve public health laboratory systems and practices. It is my privilege to serve as your president this term, and I’ m looking forward to what we can( and will) accomplish. g
2 LAB MATTERS Fall 2025 PublicHealthLabs @ APHL. org
APHL. org