Jack Thompson, principal lecturer emeritus at the University of Washington School of Public Health, was elected president of the Washington State Public Health Association. "I look forward to serving as president for the next year," Thompson said. "Our board is diverse, dedicated and energetic and we just concluded a wonderful annual conference in Wenatchee, WA."

He said priorities for the next year include advocating for a strong public health system in Washington at the state, local and tribal level; increased efforts to recruit more students and young professionals, as well as an emphasis on continuing education and professional development; and resource development to ensure the viability of a strong state organization.

Thompson is former director of the School's Northwest Center for Public Health Practice, which provides training, research and other services for local health agencies across a six-state region. He continues to work with the Center, the School and its Department of Health Services.

Also re-elected to the board of the Washington State Public Health Association were Tao Kwan-Gett, director of the School's Northwest Center for Public Health Practice, and Kathy Uhlorn, clinical instructor of Health Services. Alumnus David Reyes (MPH '02) is the board's liaison with the American Public Health Association.