Washington, D.C., 2004, August 31, 2004 – Leading public health experts will speak at the 67 th annual Mississippi Public Health Association (MPHA) meeting, entitled “Public Health: Rewarding Results,” Sept. 8-10, 2004, at the Casino Magic and Golf Resort in Bay St. Louis, Miss. Four hundred public health professionals from across the state will attend the conference to explore current issues in public health and learn about new approaches to public health challenges.
American Public Health Association (APHA) Executive Director Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, will deliver the conference’s opening keynote address. Benjamin is a former secretary of health for the state of Maryland, chief of emergency medicine at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and commissioner for public health for the District of Columbia. Other speakers include Mississippi State Health Officer Brian Amy, MD, MHA, MPH; trial attorney, law professor and organizational consultant Amy D. Whitten, JD; and professional speaker and author Larry Kryske. Kryske is president of Homeport Speaking & Seminars, a full-service executive development firm.
“Public health is at the forefront of today’s national challenges, from the rising numbers of the uninsured to the threat of bioterrorism,” Benjamin said. “This conference is a timely opportunity for public health professionals across Mississippi to shape the future of public health and make progress on today’s vital issues.”
The conference will include a trade show and business meetings addressing such topics as wastewater and food safety, eating disorders, reaching the underserved in Mississippi and employee substance abuse testing.
“Public health employees are often unsung heroes,” said MPHA President Roger E. Riley. “This conference will highlight some of the health challenges facing Mississippi residents, such as proper nutrition, prenatal care, appropriate care for nursing home residents and quality childcare.”
The annual meeting will be held at the Casino Magic and Golf Resort. Program and registration information is available at www.msdh.state.ms.us/mpha.
MPHA, an affiliate of APHA, has promoted public and personal health in the state of Mississippi and promoted professional development of public health workers. The affiliate is concerned with a broad set of issues affecting personal and environmental health, including state and local funding for health programs, pollution control, programs and policies related to chronic and infectious diseases, a smoke-free society and professional education in public health. MPHA has over 550 members statewide, including physicians, nurses, social workers, nutritionists, environmentalists, clerical personnel and other public health professionals.