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2024 Maurice R. Hilleman Essay Contest Winners

Congratulations to the

2024 Maurice R. Hilleman Essay Contest Winners!

Jade Amberg

Lexie Gordon

Mara McClellan

Pramathas Paul

Jacob Rogers

Kai Salgado

Esther Schonberger

Hayden Wu 

Congratulations to the teachers named in winning students’ entries! Each received a signed copy of a book written by Paul A. Offit, MD and a 1-year membership to the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT), compliments of NABT.

Georgia Byers
Jacob Cheung
Julie Kokan
Lauren Martini
John Mead
Jiju Rachel Sam – 2 winners
Charles Zeiher

Click here to read 2024’s winning essays.

2025 Maurice R. Hilleman Essay Contest Opening Soon

Get ready! The Maurice R. Hilleman Essay Contest will begin accepting entries in mid-November.

The Maurice R. Hilleman Essay Contest was established in 2019 to ensure that Dr. Hilleman’s remarkable legacy will thrive and inspire future generations, but it is more than that. Maurice R. Hilleman rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most exceptional scientists in history. He dreamed of a world free from the ravages of infectious diseases, and as he chased those dreams, he developed more than half of the routinely recommended vaccines children receive today. His work is estimated to save 8 million lives every year. Educators know the importance of student dreams and how encouraging those dreams and helping students chart a course toward them can make all the difference.

Part of positioning students for the future they seek is ensuring not only that they learn what you are teaching, but also that they are engaged and excited along the way. During the past several years of holding this essay contest, we have witnessed how educators have leveraged the contest to meet some of these goals. So, as a new school year begins, we wanted to share what we have seen and heard from teachers like you.

 Check out the article to find out how:

  • Activities like the contest enable students to practice multiple skills
  • Teachers and others have used the contest
  • The contest can inspire and empower students

Conference 2024: call for abstracts

#PHABCCon24: Call for Abstracts

Individuals and groups are invited to submit abstracts for one or more of the following presentation format(s):

  • Oral presentation (15-20 minutes)
  • Poster presentations (in-person “walk about” during poster session & on display both days)
  • Workshop (1.5 hours)

Based on the restricted opportunities for oral presentations, we strongly encourage applicants to consider structuring their proposals, particularly if they are practice-based research, around a poster presentation.

The poster session will be held at the end of the first day on the conference on November 21st and will be designed as a ‘walk-about’ in order to structure maximum interaction with the presenters and their work.

Workshops are intended to be an interactive opportunity to focus on a particular topic related to the conference themes in detail and/or to build skills or resources in relation to the theme.

Abstract Submission Guidelines

Those submitting abstracts will be required to submit the following information:

  • Presenter & co-presenter(s) professional designations & contact information
  • Presentation format & conference theme(s)
  • Presentation title
  • An abstract of 250 words or less

Please note that the information provided in the abstract submission will be used to describe your presentation in the final program should your abstract be selected. Please ensure your description is accurate, fully proof-read and all presenters are listed.

If your abstract describes primary or secondary research, you are encouraged to submit an abstract covering: background, methods, results and discussion/conclusions.

Those submitting practice-based abstracts are encouraged to include information on: Purpose, focus/content, significance for the theme and target audience.

 


Conference Details

Dates: November 21st and 22nd
Venue: Sutton Place Hotel
Address: 845 Burrard Street, Vancouver


 

 

 

#PHABCCon24: Early bird registration now open

The Public Health Association of British Columbia, in collaboration with the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health, is excited to introduce this year’s conference, focusing on the Commercial Determinants of Health (CDoH): From Harmful to Healthy.

We are the first association in the world to lead a conference on the commercial determinants of health!  Inspired by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) ongoing work on the global report addressing CDoH (linked here), this conference will examine how commercial entities, financial systems, and governments shape public and population health outcomes.

Register now for early bird rates. All non-members purchasing two-day registration will receive a free one-year PHABC membership.

Conference Themes

  1. Taking action on industries that affect health: marketing, risks, and essential goods
  2. Building public sector strength: considering regulatory and functional opportunities
  3. Improving business practices: creating policies for healthier markets
  4. Rethinking economic development: sustainable approaches and cultural perspectives

 

Conference Learning Objectives

  1. Develop a comprehensive understanding of commercial determinants of health (CDoH)
    • Define and explain the concept of CDoH, and identify key industries and commercial practices (e.g., tobacco, alcohol, ultra-processed foods, fossil fuels) that impact public health.
  2. Analyze public health’s role in addressing CDoH
    • Critically examine how strategies by commercial actors, including marketing, lobbying, and product development, shape health behaviors and outcomes, highlighting both positive and negative effects.
    • Examine core competencies for Public Health as they relate to CDoH
  3. Learn from successful interventions against harmful commercial practices
    • Explore case studies and stories of successful interventions that have effectively mitigated commercial risks to public health.
  4. Develop strategies for strength-based harm prevention
    • Address the identification and prevention of health harms caused by commercial activities, emphasizing the use of strengths-based language and approaches in public health interventions.
  5. Provide exemplars of commercial activities generating well-being economies

 

 


Become a Sponsor

Our conference is only possible thanks to the continued efforts of numerous volunteers and the support of various partners and sponsors.

If you are interested in sponsoring the PHABC conference, or if you would like more information about the details of our request, contact us at conference@phabc.org.

 


Volunteer at the Conference

Calling volunteers for our 2024 conference and gala dinner! Volunteers work a total of eight hours in exchange for free conference registration.

There are limited spots available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

If you’re interested in volunteering, please reach out to us at conference@phabc.org.

 


PHABC Awards

Do you know someone or an organization in the public health community whose hard work and dedication deserves recognition? Nominate them for a PHABC award!

We accept nominations year-round for outstanding individuals and organizations.

This year’s deadline for the 2023 awards is October 28th, 2023.

Any nominations submitted after the deadline will be considered for the 2024 PHABC Awards.

PHABC Awards

Nomination Form


 

RSV Awareness Week: October 13-19, 2024 

October 13th to 19th, 2024  is RSV Awareness Week in Canada.
Join us in acknowledging this week by learning more and help prevent the spread.

WHAT IS RSV?

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a respiratory virus that causes cold-like symptoms. The virus spreads through direct contact with an infected person. Most people recover from RSV illness in about a week, but some people can become seriously ill. Infants and older adults are at higher risk of developing severe illness and need hospitalization.

 

PEOPLE AT HIGH RISK OF RSV

Nearly all children will have an RSV infection before 2 years of age.

Some people are at greater risk for RSV-related complications, including:

  • Premature infants
  • Infants 6 months of age and younger
  • Children with chronic lung or heart disease
  • Children with neuromuscular disorders
  • People of any age with weakened immune systems
  • Infants under 6 months of age living in remote communities
  • Adults 65 years of age and older

 

RISK OF HOSPITALIZATION

RSV infection is the most common cause of pneumonia and bronchiolitis in infants requiring hospitalization. Hospitalization increases with age, particularly among adults 65 years of age and older.

 

PREVENTING RSV

  • Wash your hands with soap and water frequently
  • Clean common surfaces
  • Avoid close contact with others who may be sick
  • Stay at home when you are sick
  • Cover coughs and sneezes

Protection is available for infants at high risk using monoclonal antibodies.

Vaccination is available for the prevention of RSV in older adults, but programs vary across provinces and territories.

For more information visit https://www.rsvawareness.ca/

Conference 2024: themes and early bird registration

#PHABCCon24: Early bird registration now open

The Public Health Association of BC (PHABC) is thrilled to announce the theme of our 2024 conference, “Commercial Determinants of Health: Moving from Harmful to Healthy.”

We are the first association in the world to lead a conference on the commercial determinants of health! We will be collaborating with the World Health Organization, the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health, and other notable partners to bring you an excellent, innovative and educational conference.

Register now for early bird rates. All non-members purchasing two-day registration will receive a free one-year PHABC membership.

 


Conference Details

Dates: November 21st and 22nd
Venue: Sutton Place Hotel
Address: 845 Burrard Street, Vancouver


 

 

Conference Themes

  1. Taking action on industries that affect health: marketing, risks, and essential goods
  2. Building public sector strength: considering regulatory and functional opportunities
  3. Improving business practices: creating policies for healthier markets
  4. Rethinking economic development: sustainable approaches and cultural perspectives

 

Conference Learning Objectives

  1. Develop a comprehensive understanding of commercial determinants of health (CDoH)
    • Define and explain the concept of CDoH, and identify key industries and commercial practices (e.g., tobacco, alcohol, ultra-processed foods, fossil fuels) that impact public health.
  2. Analyze public health’s role in addressing CDoH
    • Critically examine how strategies by commercial actors, including marketing, lobbying, and product development, shape health behaviors and outcomes, highlighting both positive and negative effects.
    • Examine core competencies for Public Health as they relate to CDoH
  3. Learn from successful interventions against harmful commercial practices
    • Explore case studies and stories of successful interventions that have effectively mitigated commercial risks to public health.
  4. Develop strategies for strength-based harm prevention
    • Address the identification and prevention of health harms caused by commercial activities, emphasizing the use of strengths-based language and approaches in public health interventions.
  5. Provide exemplars of commercial activities generating well-being economies

 

 


Become a Sponsor

Our conference is only possible thanks to the continued efforts of numerous volunteers and the support of various partners and sponsors.

If you are interested in sponsoring the PHABC conference, or if you would like more information about the details of our request, contact us at conference@phabc.org.

 


Volunteer at the Conference

Calling volunteers for our 2024 conference and gala dinner! Volunteers work a total of eight hours in exchange for free conference registration.

There are limited spots available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

If you’re interested in volunteering, please reach out to us at conference@phabc.org.

 


PHABC Awards

Do you know someone or an organization in the public health community whose hard work and dedication deserves recognition? Nominate them for a PHABC award!

We accept nominations year-round for outstanding individuals and organizations.

This year’s deadline for the 2023 awards is October 28th, 2023.

Any nominations submitted after the deadline will be considered for the 2024 PHABC Awards.

PHABC Awards

Nomination Form


 

PHABC’s response to BC Budget 2024

Compassion, innovation and collaboration advance public health in the province

 

Summary

  • PHABC applauds BC Budget 2024 for recognizing and acting on urgent public health matters.
  • PHABC also acknowledges the Province’s progressive new initiatives, including the anti-hate community support fund, the Intimate Images Protection Service, and the upcoming publicly funded IVF program.
  • PHABC’s recent 70th year gala recognized public health non-profits and associated organizations as vital to public health advancements. PHABC commends the budget for investing in public health.

 

Victoria, B.C., March 21, 2024 – The Public Health Association of BC (PHABC) applauds BC Budget 2024 for recognizing and acting on urgent public health matters. As a province, we are collectively experiencing the ongoing impacts of an aging workforce, increasing cost of living, mental health crisis, and hate crimes. PHABC commends the Province for providing vital investments in these areas.

“Multiple measures have been taken to address equity concerns that will lay the groundwork for well-being and safe communities,” said Shannon Turner, PHABC’s Executive Director. “The ongoing investments in climate action, sustainable job growth, mental health, addictions, and the housing crisis are just a few examples of investments in a healthy province.”

PHABC also acknowledges the Province’s progressive new initiatives, including:

  • the anti-hate community support fund, which was introduced in response to the Anti-Racism Data Act;
  • the recently launched Intimate Images Protection Service, which is a step forward towards equity concerning gender, sexuality, youth, and the ever-transforming digital landscape;
  • and the upcoming publicly funded IVF program, which recognizes the evolving family structure and barriers to access fertility options.

PHABC values and practices collaboration, innovation and compassion through all of our intersectoral work, which is further highlighted by our strong partnerships and network. Recently, we honoured several of our community partners through our annual awards, which was showcased at our 70th anniversary gala.

“Public health non-profits and associated organizations are vital to the strategic direction, implementation and ongoing efforts of public health advancements, which are reflected in the 2024 BC Budget investments,” Turner emphasized.

PHABC’s 2023 organizational award recipients include the Health Officers Council of BC, the Vancouver Coastal Health public policy team, Rethink Urban, and United Way BC. These organizations demonstrate commitment to community development, equitable practices, and public health promotion.

As a member-driven organization, PHABC fulfills our mission through advocacy, collaboration and engagement activities, education, and research throughout the spectrum of public health practice and systems including prevention, promotion, protection and policy. These collaborative efforts are proven worthwhile through the budget’s progressive public health investments.

 

Shannon Turner
Executive Director
Public Health Association of BC