A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT...

By Irene Sanvold

Happy New Year to you all! The new year brings hope for improved public health, and opportunities to serve our communities.

Nominations for MWPHA officers and governing council members are due to Mildred Brooks-McDow by February 1, 2003. For further information, or to submit nominations, please contact Mildred at 301-443-6889, or e-mail her at mbrooks-mcdow@hrsa.gov. We are soliciting nominations for the following positions: President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and two new governing council members. Please consider becoming a leader in your organization!

In March of 2002, MWPHA applied to the Chesapeake Bay Organizational Development Network (CODN) for pro bono consultation on organizational and board development. This past December, two CDON- affiliated management consultants, Betsy Caine and Steven Pick, contacted MWPHA board members to volunteer their services. The Governing Council is working with Betsy and Steven to make best use of this exciting opportunity. Our work with them will most likely address the Governing Council operation structure and process of Governing Council operations and organizational leadership.

In other news, we have some wonderful leaders guiding MWPHA's work. Willa Brown, MD is our new chairperson for continuing education; Michael Acadia is updating the MWPHA Web site; and Mildred Brooks-McDow and Monica Lathan have been generating great interest in fundraising efforts for MWPHA's scholarship program.

The registration form and agenda for the MWPHA annual conference will be posted on the Web site (www.MWPHA.org) by February 1, 2003. Although the precise date, time, and place of the conference have not yet been determined, it will take place during public health week in April. Co-sponsors for the event are welcome. Exhibitor registration information, nomination information for MWPHA awards, and the Hayman Scholarship application will also be on the Web site. Continuing education units in health education, nursing, and social work will be offered.

On a sad note, I would like to pay tribute to Phyllis Campbell Newsome, the Director of Advocacy and Community Relations for the Washington Council of Agencies, who passed away on December 26, 2002. As the Director of Advocacy and Community Relations, Phyllis worked with legislators, regulators, nonprofits, and community leaders for over eight years. Phyllis understood the power and strength of coalitions. She brought together those with the strongest of convictions and convinced them to put aside differences. Her compassion for the communities of the poor and underserved were held nearest to her heart. MWPHA had the great privilege of collaborating with Phyllis on a number of advocacy initiatives. We offer our condolences to her family, and to colleagues at the WCA, on this tragic loss.