Dr. Richard E. Besser Receives the Association of State and
Territorial Health Officials' National-Level Excellence In
Public Health Award
VIENNA, Va., Oct. 14 (AScribe Newswire) -- The Association
of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) presented
the National-Level Excellence in Public Health Award to
Richard E. Besser MD, today at the ASTHO Annual
Meeting
(http://www.astho.org/Events/Conferences/2009-Annual-Meeting/),
in Vienna, Va.
ASTHO presents its Excellence in Public Health Award to
recognize outstanding service on behalf of the public health
community. The award is presented for outstanding leadership
in promoting health and preventing disease as an alternative
to more costly payments for sickness and illness.
"As the Acting Director of the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, Dr. Besser exhibited outstanding
leadership during the Spring outbreak of H1N1 influenza,"
stated ASTHO Executive Director Paul Jarris, MD. "His
understanding of the public's need for accurate and timely
information won the trust of the public and his
collaboration with state, territorial, and local health
officials allowed us to effectively address this public
health emergency. We are grateful for his insight and
guidance."
Dr. Besser, is ABC News' senior health and medical
editor, providing medical analysis and commentary for all
ABC News broadcasts and platforms, including "World News
With Charles Gibson," "Good Morning America," and
"Nightline."
Dr. Besser joined ABC News in 2009 from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, where he directed the
Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency
Response, with responsibility for all of the CDC's public
health emergency preparedness and emergency response
activities. He also served as Acting Director for the CDC,
and Acting Administrator for the Agency for Toxic Substances
and Disease Registry from January to June 2009. During this
time, he led the CDC's response to the H1N1 influenza
outbreak.
Dr. Besser has authored and co-authored hundreds of
presentations, abstracts, chapters, editorials, and
publications. He has received many awards for his work in
public health and volunteer service including the Surgeon
General's Medallion for his leadership during the H1N1
response.
The ASTHO Annual Meeting runs from October 14-16 at the
Sheraton Premier in Vienna, Virginia. Featured speakers
include HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, CDC Director Tom
Frieden, and representatives from FDA and other federal
agencies.