June 2011 - Message from OPHA's President and Executive Director

Dear Valued e-Bulletin Reader:

Greetings and Happy Summer!

Thank you for taking the time to read this month’s issue. This issue promises to be an exciting one as we have focused it against Seniors’ and Recreation Month, both of which are aligned with the Ontario Public Health Association’s interests.

It has been a busy time for OPHA and promises to get busier. Change is in the air and as the weather heats up, the activity within OPHA promises to do so as well. In this month’s Hot Topic, you will hear from an injury prevention initiative from Middlesex-London Health Unit regarding their community-based falls prevention program. Updates from the Ontario Healthy Schools Coalition, the Public Health Alliance and the Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance are also profiled.

As part of our commitment to our membership, OPHA members can expect to see enhanced value and service in return for their membership in the next few months including free webinars for our members (so if you have not signed on to be a member, now is the time! It is easy to do from our Web site) The small face-lift to this month’s ebulletin is another expression of increasing the value and impact to our members and stakeholders.

Lastly, OPHA wishes to recognize the invaluable contribution that Tino Serapiglia has made as the Vice-President to the Board. Tino remained on the Board longer than anticipated to support the Board during a transition phase at OPHA and needs to be applauded for his dedication on the Executive Committee and as Advocacy Committee Chair. Karen Quigley Hobbs has stepped up to fill the role of Advocacy Chair until the new board is elected at the AGM in October.

Enjoy the ebulletin and if you wish to connect with us on your feedback of this month’s issue, we want to hear from you. Contact admin@opha.on.ca

Sincerely,

Liz Haugh, President, Board of Directors, OPHA &
Siu Mee Cheng, Executive Director, OPHA

 

June 2011 - Association Update

OPHA has a broad and diverse membership. Periodically, we like to profile one of our members on our website, in the Members’ Lounge area. This latest profile features Ron de Burger, Director of Healthy Environments at Toronto Public Health.

Since the 1960s, Ron has been actively involved in the Public Health field in Canada in various capacities. He has served on numerous national executives and committees and is the past Chair of the Canadian Public Health Association and the past President of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors.

Read more about Ron and the value OPHA membership has brought to his extensive career at http://www.opha.on.ca/members/member_profiles.php

Practicum Student

The Nutrition Resource Centre is excited to be providing a 12 week practicum for a student this summer. Jennifer Rizzuto, started on Tuesday May 31. Jennifer is studying at Ryerson for the MHSc program in Nutrition Communications.  Her undergrad degree is also from Ryerson. Please join the NRC in welcoming Jennifer to OPHA.