National SOPHE President's Update

As the new National SOPHE President, I would like to introduce myself to you. I am Dr. Amy Thompson, the Sr. Vice Provost and Acting Dean of the Graduate College at The University of Toledo. However, I will be starting a new position as Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs at Wright State University on June 1, 2022.

I have been a long-time Ohio SOPHE member and I am eager to partner together and hear your ideas on how we can advance our state and national priorities and support the public health work force. Working with and supporting local chapters is important to me, and in fact has become one of my presidential priorities that I will share with you.

As we begin to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, I would like to thank each of you for your important service to our profession, Ohio and your community. I recognize this has been a very challenging time for those working in public health given the political landscape and the heavy load many of you have faced with additional job responsibilities.  There has never been a more important time for us to pull together as a profession, organize and plan for the future of public health.

Speaking of the future, I would like to share with you the 5 priorities that I will be focusing on during my presidency, these include:

1. Membership renewal & growing membership especially in the student population.
2. Strengthening the relationships between National SOPHE, the State SOPHE chapters & external partners.
3. Being a leader in providing resources and development for Mental Health & Burnout for Health Education Specialists.
4. Championing Inclusive Excellence. DEI work must be intentional & part of the fabric of all that we do.
5. Exploring ways to enhance our advocacy network and activities.

I am so grateful to have the opportunity serve as the National SOPHE President, and I am proud to be an Ohio SOPHE member. I look forward to working together over the next year and would love to hear any ideas or suggestions you may have.

Yours in Public Health,

Amy Thompson Ph.D., FESG, CHES

National SOPHE President

Ohio SOPHE Member