For Immediate Release
Statement of APHL CEO Scott J. Becker
Silver Spring, Maryland, January 19, 2021 — “The Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) extends our enthusiastic support for the nomination of Rachel Levine, MD, to serve as assistant secretary for health at the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
“Dr. Levine is eminently qualified to help lead our nation’s response to COVID-19 and the many other health challenges we face. A pediatrician by training, Dr. Levine brings expertise to help address health threats across the life cycle, including among our most at-risk populations.
“As Pennsylvania’s secretary of health and as president of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, she has been a leading public health voice and understands the complexities and unique challenges we face in delivering quality public health services.
“In addition to Dr. Levine, we are deeply encouraged by the team nominated by President-elect Biden to lead HHS. We have no time to waste in mounting a stronger pandemic response and offer our support to help the new administration hit the ground running.
“Public health laboratories are an essential component of our nation’s health system. APHL and our member laboratories, which monitor, detect and respond to a wide range of health threats, stand ready to collaborate on strengthening our nation’s laboratory system, enhancing our testing capacity and modernizing our data reporting infrastructure.
“We look forward to supporting the nominees and working with them once confirmed to help advance our nation’s health agenda going forward.”
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The Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) works to strengthen laboratory systems serving the public’s health in the U.S. and globally. APHL’s member laboratories protect the public’s health by monitoring and detecting infectious and foodborne diseases, environmental contaminants, terrorist agents, genetic disorders in newborns and other diverse health threats. Learn more at www.aphl.org.
For more, contact Michelle Forman at 240.485.2793 or michelle.forman@aphl.org
