The Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) announced on July 17 the election of State Hygienic Laboratory Director Christopher Atchison as secretary-treasurer of its board of directors.

Christopher Atchison

“I’m excited by this opportunity,” Atchison said. “Many challenges face the nation’s public health laboratory system. The Association for Public Health Laboratories plays a critical role in helping our states to meet these challenges.”

As secretary-treasurer, Atchison will have fiduciary responsibilities related to the decisions of the APHL board of directors.

APHL is the national organization working domestically and globally to represent state and local governmental health laboratories in the United States. Its members, known as “public health laboratories,” monitor and detect health threats to protect the health and safety of Americans. APHL collaborates with laboratory and public health partners to assure effective monitoring, detection and response to health threats. It works closely with federal agencies – including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Federal Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency – to develop and execute national health initiatives. During public health emergencies, APHL operates as a coordinating center for laboratory response.

In addition to his role as director of the Hygienic Lab, Atchison is Associate Dean for Public Health Practice and Clinical Professor in Health Management and Policy in the College of Public Health at the University of Iowa. Atchison serves on a number of state boards, including the Prevention of Disabilities Policy Council, the Patient-Centered Health Advisory Council and the Safety Net Advisory Council, which he chairs.

Prior to joining the University in 1999, Atchison served for eight years as Director of the Iowa Department of Public Health and during his tenure, he was elected the first chair of the Iowa Child Health Insurance Program (Hawk-I) board.