Dr. Gwendolyn Francavillo, Associate Professor for Public Health and Chair of Health and Human Performance at Marymount University, has been elected as a Governing Councilor for the American Public Health Association (APHA), representing the Public Health Education and Health Promotion (PHEHP) section. Beginning her role this fall, Francavillo will serve a two-year term with APHA.
APHA is the leading organization for public health professionals, championing the health of all people in all communities while working to create the healthiest nation in one generation.
PHEHP is one of many sections within APHA that works to spread awareness for public health. As APHA’s largest section, it focuses on promoting and supporting health education for all individuals, groups and communities, as well as maintaining ethical principles and practices of disease prevention and health promotion.
“In this role, I can now represent this section to the organization as a whole, which I think will be even more beneficial,” Francavillo said. “Having worked in a leadership role within the section this past year, I understand it a lot better, so now I am able to really understand and fully represent our wishes and the future that we plan to have for the section.”
PHEHP has become an especially important section for the organization amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, as the promotion of public health and safety has taken on even greater importance than before.
During APHA’s annual conference, held this year over Zoom, members came together to discuss new research, vote on policies and strive to make beneficial changes to the organization. These conferences allow sections to come together, touch base with each other and support new ideas on behalf of health professionals.
