Lab Matters Summer 2016 | Page 31

membership

by Denise Dory , senior specialist , Governance and Executive Support

The APHL Board of Directors advances the mission of APHL , overseeing the association ’ s strategic planning process and providing financial and management oversight . The Board meets on a monthly basis by conference call and in person at least twice a year . Its meeting schedule is public , and any member may request to be included on the agenda .

Notes from the June 2016 Meeting

Bylaws amendment opens up voting to two additional member classes

Voting rights were expanded to Public Health Institutional Local and Public Health Associate Institutional members . This allows members from these two categories to vote for APHL officers and representatives from their respective groups and for position statements , giving them a greater voice in APHL policy and governance .

Strategic Map updates and approval of 2016 strategic priorities

APHL Executive Director Scott Becker presented an update on progress toward the goals identified in the Strategic Map 2014-2016 and priorities for 2016 .

2016 priorities include :

• Provide credible analysis of instruments and other lab resources

• Expand engagement in federal and legislative regulatory efforts

Ongoing and / or institutionalized priorities include :

• Provide training and technical assistance to meet future needs

• Establishing mentoring by members focused on increasing engagement

• Grow the base of funding from non-federal sources

• Expand sustainable relationships with EPA , FDA and other federal agencies

President Whelen sets his sights on APHL 3.0

APHL President A . Christian Whelen addressed the 2016 Member Assembly , stressing the importance of public health laboratories and their presence on the front lines of threats to public health and highlighting APHL ’ s significance in strengthening the public health laboratory system , including creating a social media platform and a greater public policy footprint . President Whelen promised to work with APHL Executive Director Scott Becker to put into place an APHL 3.0 game plan that will address how public health labs will continue to evolve to address emerging threats and challenges to the lab community .

• Develop and communicate multiple opportunities for member engagement

• Provide tools for member labs to use in pursuing funding

• Assess committee structure and implementing targeted improvements

APHL Board of Directors for 2016-2017

• A . Christian Whelen , PhD , D ( ABMM ), president laboratory director , Hawaii Department of Health State Laboratories

• Ewa King , PhD , president-elect laboratory director , Rhode Island State Health Laboratories

• Christopher Atchison , MPA , secretary-treasurer laboratory director , State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa

• Joanne Bartkus , PhD , D ( ABMM ), member-at-large laboratory director , Minnesota Public Health Laboratory Division

• Grace Kubin , PhD , member-at-large laboratory director , Texas Department of State Health Services- Central Campus

• Michael Pentella , PhD , member-at-large laboratory director , William A . Hinton State Laboratory Institute

• Maria Lucia Ishida , PhD , public health associate institutional representative laboratory director , New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets

• Bonny Lewis Van , PhD , FACB , HCLD , local institutional member representative laboratory director , Marion County Public Health Laboratory

• Mark Wade , local institutional member representative laboratory services director , San Antonio Metro Health District Laboratory

• Judith C . Lovchik , PhD , D ( ABMM ), past president assistant commissioner , Public Health Protection and Laboratory Services , Indiana State Department of Health

• Scott J . Becker , MS , ex-officio executive director , APHL