MPHA featured in The APHA publication, The Nations Health!  Check out: http://www.apha.org/publications/tnh/current/JuneJuly09/APHANews/MaineAPHA.htm  to see a Maine photo and a brief article about our National Public Health Week activities. In the picture you can see speakers at our National Public Health Week press conference: Dr. Joel Kase, MPHA president Emily Rines, Speaker of the House Hannah Pingree, MPHA Executive Director Tina Pettingill and Representative Pat Jones.  Maine goes National- yahoo! 

Nominations and Awards Committee – Volunteers Needed!
The Nominations and Awards Committee will be convening on August 5th from 2:30-3:30. We are looking for volunteers to participate in this Committee.
If you are interested, please contact the Committee Chair, Brenda Joly.

This Committee is responsible for soliciting nominations for MPHA awards and new Board Members to serve beginning November 2009. The group will meet approximately three times during August-September.

A Message from Your Planning Committee
Dear Public Health Colleague:

As part of MPHA's 25th Anniversary Annual Meeting on Tuesday, October 13, an exhibit will be displayed that highlights the past, present, and future of public health in Maine. The Planning Committee requests your help in the following ways:

PAST: Share a photo documenting the history of public health in Maine. It is preferable to have framed photos that are at least 8x10. Please email Toho Soma to coordinate delivery.

PRESENT: Submit a photo for our Public Health Slideshow, which will be played throughout the day. Photos can be from "This is Public Health Week 2009,", This Is Public Health campaign, a Photovoice project, or just one you have that depicts an aspect of public health in Maine. Only electronic files please. Email them to Toho Soma.

FUTURE: Bring a small item to contribute to an MPHA time capsule, which will be opened 25 years from now in 2034. The item should have relevance to a contemporary public health issue. Examples include a school lunch menu, health education bumper sticker, public health event flyer, organizational brochure, and disease investigation form. You could also explore your creative side and submit a photo, poem, or other small piece of art that addresses public health. There will be a table in the exhibit hall where you can drop off your item. Please do not contribute medications, hazardous materials, or perishable items.

Thank you, and see you on October 13!   - MPHA Annual Meeting Planning Committee

Info from APHA
APHA 2009 Health Reform Agenda - With a goal of helping the United States to become the healthiest nation in one generation, the APHA 2009 Agenda for Health Reform highlights the most critical changes we must make to improve the public’s health, based on longstanding APHA policies, as well as the best current evidence.

To contribute to the forwarding of this agenda, several of MPHA's policy committee members will be meeting with staff at Senators' Snowe and Collins office this summer.  We will also be crafting another legislative packet aimed at educating members of our State Senate and House on local public health issues.  If you are interested in any of these initiatives, please contact Executive Director Tina Pettingill for more information on how to get involved.