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Letter from the KPHA President

Thank you to all who prepared and operated our 77th annual conference. Thank you also to those who stayed late to “clean up” as we wrapped up the conference. Thank you to our wonderful exhibitors and speakers and hotel staff and students for their valuable (and valued) contributions.

Thank you to all who attended the conference—all the work done before, during, and after, by several dozen people, was for you:

  • The conference was sold-out again this year. We had 559 attendees!
  • The 120 counties that make up the Commonwealth are served by the Kentucky Department for Public Health, 47 single-county health departments, and 14 multi-county or urban departments. Representatives from 29 of these departments were in attendance.
  • We had 53 exhibitors representing a wide range of key public health supporters and stakeholders.
  • Students and Public Health Professionals submitted 29 posters on fascinating topics, illustrating their creative and well-founded perspectives—the future of public health is in very good hands in Kentucky—these are brilliant people.
  • We cannot thank our sponsors and financial supporters enough. The conference would not exist without them. We hope they know that their generosity made possible the learning that took place at the conference, which will help us serve as even more informed and effective public health professionals. We will also carry lessons learned back to our teams, ensuring the knowledge gained spreads far and wide.

Being together—in-person—was such a joy, and a reminder that we are not alone in our efforts to serve our communities. I hope everyone felt affirmed and respected and left with a reminder in our hearts that the work of public health is important. That people need us. That we really can help. And that we can do it—together

Congratulations to our award and scholarship winners. Your good work is worthy of celebrating. Please know you serve as examples for all of us of the many ways we can make a positive difference, all across Kentucky. We are grateful to and for you.

Finally, as your fellow KPHA member, I sincerely hope you know—and will remember—that you are appreciated.

Sincerely,
Laura Foley, CAP