Every year NPHA receives a list of APHA members in order to determine our national dues. We pay less for people who are members of both NPHA and APHA. It is my hope that we can increase the number of people who are members of both-not because our dues will be less, but because it is the best way for public health professionals to stay in touch with statewide and nationwide public health issues.
Several years ago some colleagues and I were sitting around complaining that statewide organizations relating to public health and health education were not meeting our professional needs. I vowed at that time to either start a new organization or to join one of the existing organizations and try to work to meet my personal professional needs. Shortly thereafter the opportunity to run for NPHA vice president arose and I consented to run. By some quirk , someone withdrew from the slate and I was asked to run for president instead. Now, it is almost three years later and I believe that during these last three years as president that NPHA has grown in influence and has met more of many of our professional needs. We have been fortunate to have very dedicated board members during these last three years.
The major achievement in the last three years has been the passage of LB 1070 and the establishment of the Excellence in Healthcare Council. The public health trust fund has the potential to fund more public health projects than any other initiative in the history of the state.
NPHA's involvement in the Turning Point grant has the potential to greatly enhance public health in Nebraska for many years to come. NPHA has become better known in the state legislature and among the State Board of Education and among other health-related organizations, most notably the Nebraska Medical Association, with whom we are cooperating for our Sept. 16 conference. However, NPHA still has much room to improve.
If you are one of the members, who would like NPHA to do more, then I challenge you to get involved at a greater level. NPHA can do considerably more for public health in Nebraska if just a handful more of NPHA members get more active in the organization. If you are an NPHA member who doesn't belong to AHPA; consider joining, and if you are an APHA member please get involved locally. (This issue will be sent to all APHA members who are not NPHA members).