IPHA 2011-2012 Annual Report - Illinois Public Health Association

Executive Director’s Message“State level leadershipin PublicHealth has beencentral to theinterests of themembers at everylevel and hassubstantiallycontributed to thestrength of IPHA onall policy mattersof the Association.”It is undeniable that throughout the history of the Illinois Public Health Association,the State Director and senior level staff of the Illinois Department of Public Healthhave been fundamental to the success and growth of the Association. State levelleadership in Public Health has been central to the interests of the members atevery level and has substantially contributed to the strength of IPHA on all policymatters of the Association. During the early years of the Association, at a timewith far fewer local health departments than exist today, much of the leadershipin the Association was represented by public health professionals within the statehealth department. A glimpse at the list of past presidents and officers of IPHAclearly points to that history and the positive impact that the relationship has hadon IPHA. The current leadership of the Association affirms the belief that thispartnership is crucial to the success of the Association’s goals as framed by ourfive year Strategic Plan, our Resolutions and the IPHA Mission.During the period of this report, the Association entered into an important dialogueand policy discussion regarding state-level leadership in public health. This discussionwas initiated to support the core belief that within the senior levels of statepublic health leadership both academic preparation and experience in public healthare essential. The discussion resulted in a valuable and sensibly drafted PolicyResolution which was passed by the membership at the 71st Annual Meeting. Thisdiscussion was initiated at a time of change in leadership within the administrationand during a long search to fill the position of State Director of Public Health. Thispast March, the leaders and members of IPHA were delighted when Dr. LaMarHasbrouck, M.D., M.P.H., was selected by Governor Quinn as Illinois’ new chiefstate health officer. Dr. Hasbrouck exemplifies the training and experiential qualitiesoutlined in the IPHA Resolution and we congratulate the Governor and hisstaff for the diligent work in bringing him to this position. On May 27, 2012, IPHAwas pleased to host a welcome reception for Dr. Hasbrouck and his family at theGovernor’s mansion. The event was attended by the department’s senior staff,other Executive Branch Directors and leaders, members of the General Assemblyand Members from several IPHA Affiliates. During the reception, President MikeBacon articulated the distinguishing characteristics that Dr. Hasbrouck brings tothe position of State Health Director, and how he so perfectly meets the criteria thatIPHA used while advocating for legislation requiring a more comprehensive view ofIllinois State Health Director qualifications. We were pleased when Governor Quinnconcurred with the broadening of the qualifications by requiring both academictraining in a health related discipline as well as public health experience. Thisis an important change for all who believe that those selected for public healthleadership can emanate from a broad array of public health, allied health science,management, or medical training, coupled with requisite public health leadershipexperience. This past year, IPHA did the right thing by addressing this issue as animportant public health policy, vetting it within the public health community, passingthe Resolution, and subsequently supporting the statutory change for State HealthDirector qualifications criteria. Dr. Hasbrouck is a perfect fit to these criteria and wewelcome him as a member of IPHA and as a partner in pursuit of the IPHA mission“to lead and advance public health practice in Illinois.”James R. Nelson, MSExecutive Director5