Presidents’ reception: saluting the spirit of collaboration

The first day of the inaugural Ontario Public Health Convention came to a festive end with the Presidents’ Reception in the Frontenac Ballroom.

Delegates, presenters and exhibitors joined the presidents of the convention’s three partner organizations – Vivek Goel, president of the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (OAHPP), Liz Haugh, president of the Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA) and Valerie Sterling, president of the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) – and Paul Lucas, president of the convention’s platinum sponsor, GlaxoSmithKline, for refreshments and remarks.

Vivek Goel thanked OAHPP’s Ian Johnson for his tireless efforts at TOPHC’s helm, and acknowledged the chair of agency’s board of directors, Terry Sullivan, who was in attendance. He also TOPHC's esteemed guests: Arlene King, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, and David McKeown, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health. Each offered thoughts on the significance of this convention.

A sense of the importance of this public health event was echoed by most every speaker at the reception. Liz Haugh spoke of the “strong, vibrant partnership” that is beginning with this event; Valerie Sterling mentioned the spirit of collaboration and partnership that characterizes the public health sector and the common thread that ran through the diversity of topics presented during the first day's sessions.

Building on this sense of potential and spirit of collaboration, Arlene King issued a challenge to TOPHC organizers and the public health community at large: she wants to see TOPHC double its attendance within five years!