Dear Colleagues,

Public health in the United States and globally has been in an unprecedented spotlight in 2020. Now, more than ever, the public’s health—and the role of our local health departments—is critical to the overall functioning of all facets of American life.

You are the lifeblood of this work. And we thank you.

As we recognize Public Health Thank You Day today, we want each and every one of you to know how proud we are to serve alongside you as we work to keep our communities across the country healthy and safe.

As members of NACCHO’s Board of Directors we have witnessed the incredible role that the local public health workforce plays in our own local health departments, and in departments around the country.

This year has been full of challenges, adversity, and constant uncertainty. We have seen a rise in the politicization of public health and the many additional challenges that has placed on our missions to protect our neighbors.

As the only national organization that serves all local health departments across the country, NACCHO is proud to be your collective voice as we work to raise the visibility of local public health, help disseminate best practices, and advocate to secure the resources and policies needed to support you during the pandemic response and beyond. We welcome your stories, feedback, and involvement in these efforts—don’t hesitate to reach out.

While possible COVID-19 vaccines are under development, it is clear that we still have a long road to beat the virus and rebuild our public health infrastructure. We will get through it, and we will do so together.

So today, as we celebrate and recognize you for Public Health Thank You Day, please know how much we appreciate your commitment to making America safer and improving the health of communities across the nation.

Thank you for all you have done to keep your communities healthy and safe over this most challenging year. Thank you for the work to come. And thank you for your comradery every step of the way.

Sincerely,

NACCHO Board President
Jennifer C. Kertanis, MPH
Director of Health
Farmington Valley Health District
Canton, CT

President-Elect
Sandra Ford, MD, MBA
District Health Director
Dekalb County Health Department
Decatur, GA

Vice-President
Lisa Macon Harrison, MPH
Local Health Director
Granville Vance Public Health
Oxford, NC

Past President
George T. Roberts, Jr., MHA, FACHE
Chief Executive Officer
Northeast Texas Public Health District
Tyler, TX

Region 1 Director
Damon Chaplin, MBA
Health Director
New Bedford Health Department
New Bedford, MA

Region 2 Director
Margaret Jahn, MS, MPH
Director
Freehold Area Health Department
Freehold, NJ

Region 3 Director
Michael Kilkenny, MD, MS
Physician Director
Cabell-Huntington Health Department
Huntington, WV

Region 4 Director
Joey Smith
Public Health Director
Montgomery County Health Department
Clarksville, TN

Region 5 Director
Gretchen Musicant, RN, MPH
Commissioner
Minneapolis Health Department
Minneapolis, MN

Region 6 Director
Reggie Ivey, MHR
Chief Operating Officer
Tulsa City-County Health Department
Tulsa, OK

Region 7 Director
Pramod Dwivedi, MA, MSW, MS, DrPH(c)
Health Director
Linn County Public Health Department
Cedar Rapids, IA

Region 8 Director
Renae Moch, MBA, FACMPE
Public Health Director
Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health
Bismarck, ND

Region 9 Director
Cameron Kaiser, MD, MPH, FAAFP
Public Health Officer
Riverside County
Riverside, CA

Region 10 Director
Andre Fresco, MPA
Administrator
Yakima Health District
Union Gap, WA

Tribal Health Director
Scott Sjoquist, MS, RS
Director of Health
Mohegan Tribal Health
Uncasville, CT

At Large Director (1M and >)
Philip Huang, MD, MPH *
Director/Health Authority
Dallas County Health and
Human Services
Dallas, TX

At Large Director (500K-1M)
Patrick G. McGough, DNP, MSHR, RN, CHA
Executive Director
Oklahoma City-County Health Department
Oklahoma City, OK

At Large Director (50K-100K)
Kim Engel, MBA
Health Director
Panhandle Public Health District
Hemingford, NE

At Large Director (50K and <)
Karen Koenemann, MA, MAT
Public Health Director
Pitkin County
Aspen, CO