Highlights From Our 2023 Annual Business Meeting
Earlier this week, NACDD held its Annual Business Meeting, where we wrapped up Fiscal Year 2023 by sharing policy and program successes, our financial report, progress on our strategic plan, and new resources and tools that NACDD has developed to support you, our Members. We were also pleased to celebrate leaders in chronic disease prevention and control, as we announced NACCD’s 2023 Impact Awards winners and our incoming Board Members. Here are a few highlights from this year’s business meeting:
- We presented eight Impact Awards, ranging from Rising Star to Lifetime Achievement (read more about the winners). Each award recipient was nominated by colleagues for their outstanding contributions in the chronic disease prevention space.
- Incoming Board President Bala Simon announced his President’s Challenge for FY2024. Simon, MD, DrPH, MPH, FAAFP, is the Deputy Chief Medical Officer and State Chronic Disease Director at the Arkansas Department of Health. He has served on NACDD’s Board for eight years. His challenge: Support and sustain a thriving chronic disease prevention and health promotion workforce.
“A strong and resilient public health workforce is quintessential for a solid public health infrastructure and to meet the public health needs of the population,” Bala said. “We must develop ways to engage and retain our staff.” In the coming year, NACDD will work with Members to conduct their own workforce assessment to understand employee needs. Bala also encouraged Members to take advantage of the range of workforce tools and learning opportunities NACDD has to offer. Stay tuned for more information about the President’s Challenge.
- As Simon takes on the role of President starting October 1, Kristi Pier will move into the role of Past President. We are incredibly thankful to Kristi for her service and commitment to helping our field grow and evolve. (If you haven’t already, be sure to listen to her inspiring podcast series, where she interviewed public health leaders from across the country to learn promising practices and next steps to building environments supportive of resilience and well-being).
Lea Susan Ojamaa, MPH, was elected as NACDD’s new President-Elect, and two new At Large Directors were elected:
- Victoria Ballares, MSN, DNP, FNP, BLS, is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner, with more than 20 years of experience as a registered nurse in Guam.
- Margaret K. Chaykin, MPH, CHES, RDN, CD, is Cardiovascular Consultant for the Washington State Department of Health. She also serves as Chair-Elect and Health Equity Advisor for NACDD’s Health Equity Council.
Read the new Board announcement HERE.
- Chief Program Strategy Officer Marti Macchi discussed our FY 2024 project portfolio—NACDD operates under seven major cooperative agreements that foster over 35-40 dedicated programs—and shared the visions and structure of our Centers of Excellence.
Missed the meeting? You can watch the recording.