May 2010 - Association Update

OPHA Board of Directors

The OPHA Board had its first meeting of the 2010-2011 fiscal year on April 29 and 30. One full day was devoted to the strategic planning. Kim Bergeron, OPHA’s strategic planning consultant, reported on the rich data she had collected through document reviews; key informant interviews; focus groups with constituent societies, workgroups, staff and the Board; and a survey of members and non-members.

The Board had an engaging discussion about the directions it should take for the next three years. Kim will be providing a summary of the discussion in the form of a draft set of strategic directions for the Executive Committee to engage in further discussion on June 10. It is anticipated that recommendations regarding key strategic directions would be presented at the Board’s teleconference meeting the end of June.

In addition to the usual Board of Director business, the Board received an update about the recent development within the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (OAHPP). Dr. George Pasut, Anne Simard, and Dr. Ray Copes were on hand from the Agency. Dr George Pasut, who recently joined the OAHPP as the Vice President for Science and Public Health, provided a snapshot of the organizational chart, described the cross cutting functions within the agency and presented a short list of priorities in each program area.

OPHA had asked specifically about plans for the renewal of the PHRED program with the transfer of the MOHLTC portion of the PHRED funding to the Agency scheduled for January 2011. OAHPP posed several questions to OPHA to get our input to the future direction of PHRED. The OPHA Executive Committee will consider those questions at its June meeting.

Dr. Pasut also gave an overview of the laboratory service renewal. For more details, please review the power point presentation [PPS, 1.5MB].

Dr. Copes, Director of the Environmental and Occupational Health division, gave an orientation to his new division. The division has recently provided health units with access to air quality instruments which they can borrow from OAHPP for use at the local level. This is an example of the assistance which health units can expect from the Agency.

OPHA will continue to keep abreast of OAHPP developments.

OPHA Staff Member Honoured

NRC Manager Cindy Scythes was awarded the Ontario Society of Nutrition Professionals in Public Health (OSNPPH) Peer Recognition Award on Thursday, May 13, 2010.

The OSNPPH Peer Recognition Award recognizes OSNPPH members for their contributions to the advancement of public health nutrition. Two members of OSNPPH nominated Cindy for her mentorship of students and new public health nutrition personnel.

We congratulate Cindy on this achievement!

OPHA Practicum Students

Three students completed their practicum recently. We would like to thank Julie Wong, Cecilia Chiu, and Sara Tryon for their contribution to OPHA programs and we wish them success in their careers.

We welcome two new practicum students to OPHA. Saghar Kari is currently a student at the University of Saskatchewan in the Masters of Public Health program. She will be conducting her placement with the Alcohol Policy Network from May 11 – August 11, 2010.

Marcia Dawes, a Masters in Health Sciences – Community Nutrition student started her practicum with NRC on April 27, 2010. Marcia’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Applied Science – Food and Nutrition: Ryerson University (April 2007 - Honours). In addition, Marci has been working as a Food Services Supervisor - Shelter, Housing & Support, for City of Toronto, Community & Neighbourhood Services since 2004.

Nousheen Kanji is an MPH graduate from University of Guelph. She will be volunteering with the Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance (OCDPA) in a knowledge exchange capacity, starting May 20th to end of August 2010.

Surbhi Kalia is in her final undergraduate year, from the University of Toronto – Scarborough, major in public policy, minor in economics and political science. Surbhi will be assisting with OCDPA’s advocacy work, starting May 28th to end of August 2010.