The following candidates have been nominated and approved to run in the 2010 AMCHP election. All AMCHP delegates and family delegates will be sent an e-mail with a link to the ballot. Online voting will be available until February 26, 2010. After that date, in-person voting will take place at the 2010 AMCHP Conference. If you have any questions about the election, please contact Nora Lam, Executive Assistant.

Treasurer  |  Secretary  |  Region I Director  
Region VI Director  |  Region IX Director |  Region X Director

Jo Ann Walsh Dotson, MSN, RN, PhD
Montana

Please list any past and current service to AMCHP.

• Member Board of Directors representing Region VIII for six years from 2004 to 2009.
• Member Finance Committee for four years from 2005 to 2009.
• Member Legislative Committee for three years from 2006 to present.
• Member Workforce Committee for three years from 2006 to present.

Provide a personal vision statement for AMCHP.
AMCHP is the national organization promoting maternal and child health in the U.S. and territories. In this era of health reform, it is crucial that a viable, strong AMCHP advocate for the MCH population and for the MCH agencies that serve that population.

What is your motivation for running for this office?
I believe AMCHP has a crucial role in advocating for the health of the maternal child health population and the organizations that serve that population in the U.S. and territories. I had the opportunity to become knowledgeable about the AMCHP budget during my tenure as the Region VIII director. Former treasurers emphasized the importance of each board member understanding and being responsible for financial viability for the organization. Financial viability is essential for a sound organization to function effectively; I am committed to assuring the continuation of excellent financial management.

James Bryant, MD
Ohio

Please list any past and current service to AMCHP.

• Member of the AMCHP Health Care Financing and Policy Committee, 1998-2004
• Co-Chair of the AMCHP Health Care Financing/Legislative Committee, 2004-Present
• Member of the AMCHP Annual Meeting Planning Committee, 2000-2002
• Chairman of the AMCHP Annual Meeting Planning Committee, 2003
• Member of the AMCHP Annual Meeting Planning Committee, 2008-2009
• Delegate at Large to the AMCHP Board of Directors, 2005 to 2008

Provide a personal vision statement for AMCHP.
AMCHP will be a strong and effective spokesman for the state membership at the national level.  The activities of AMCHP will advance the health and welfare of all mothers, children, and their families. I believe in the active involvement of the member states in the development of AMCHP policy and the advancement of that policy. 

What is your motivation for running for this office?
I believe strongly in the mission of AMCHP and in the important role of AMCHP and Title 5 in protecting and promoting the health and well being of women, children, and families including children and youth with special health care needs. I have had over fifteen years of leadership experience in Title 5 at both the state and national levels. I have been working with families and CSHCN for over 30 years on a personal level in my private practice. I am an active member of the AAP in my state and am involved in national committees of both AAP and ASTHO. I have experience in financing and my work toward a Master of Medical Management at Tulane University has sharpened my financial skills. I have been the Treasurer of several non-Profit Organizations and feel I can serve AMCHP in this same capacity.

Valerie Ricker, MSN, MS
Maine

Please list past and current service to AMCHP.
I have been a member of AMCHP since 1997 and been an engaged member of several AMCHP committees, the Program and Policy Committee from 1997 or 1998 to 2001 and Region I representative to the Board of Directors from March 2001 through March 2007. During my time as the Region I representative I was active in the Governance Committee and several ad hoc Board and AMCHP committees/workgroups. Currently I serve on the Annual Conference Planning Committee as well as the Workforce Development Committee.

Provide a personal vision statement for AMCHP.
In addition to being recognized as the representative of state MCH public health leaders and providing national leadership on issues impacting the MCH population, AMCHP will provide technical assistance to state Title V Programs, assist in the development of future state Title V leadership, and inform the development and implementation of national policy representing state Title V Programs in partnership with the Maternal Child Health Bureau and other federal and national partners.

What is your motivation for running for this office?
I believe in the mission and vision of AMCHP and am committed to supporting its ongoing activities addressing issues impacting the MCH population and state Title V Programs. In order to have a significant impact at the state and national level AMCHP needs the active engagement of its membership and I am at a point when I can be more actively engaged in AMCHP. As a two term AMCHP Board member I am familiar with the role and responsibilities of the Secretary and feel I have the ability to serve AMCHP’s membership well.

Loretta Fuddy, MSW, MPH
Hawai'i

Please list any past and current service to AMCHP.

• Alternate Policy Committee, 2000-2001
• AMCHP Conference Planning Committee, 2006 & 2007
• Work Force Development Committee, 2006-2010
• Treasurer, 2006-2010

Provide a personal vision statement for AMCHP.
I envision AMCHP as a recognized and credible voice to advance the well-being of women, children and families. Advocacy and policy development at the national and local level are critical, especially during these tumultuous economic times. AMCHP’s expertise and leadership can advance best practice at the infrastructural, policy and service delivery levels.

What is your motivation for running for this office?
These are very challenging times, with many state’s witnessing the dismantling of MCH/CSHN program. AMCHP must be vocal at the national and local levels about the needs of women and children and provide the leadership to advance inter-conceptual care, the prevention of chronic disease, and the prevention of genetic, developmental and physical disorders. Assurance of health care services and family support are core to these efforts. With a broad public health perspective that is grounded in ethnic/cultural diversity, policy development, program implementation and fiscal management, I believe I can assist in making MCH/CSHN a national priority. The role of the secretary is pivotal in documenting board discussion, key decisions, and actions taken on behalf of the AMCHP membership.

Melinda Sanders, MS, RN
Missouri

Please list any past and current service to AMCHP.

• Serve on the AMCHP Board of Directors as Region VII Director, 2005 to present
• Conference Planning Committee, 2006-2007
• Finance Committee, 2009 to present
• Ad Hoc Workgroups such as Logo Workgroup and MCHBG Workgroup, 2006 to present

Provide a personal vision statement for AMCHP.
Over the past 2 years, AMCHP has solidified its unique role as the voice of MCH leaders and families at the state level. As a leader in the MCH arena, I envision our association as one that helps to address the policy issues and funding needs of the states allowing us to create better systems of care for mothers, children, youth, families and children with special health care needs.

What is your motivation for running for this office?
One of my favorite children’s books is Harold and the Purple Crayon. In this book, Harold is a young boy in possession of a magical purple crayon that takes this inquisitive lad out of many difficult situations. I believe AMCHP is also in possession of a magical purple crayon. Our organization is currently viewed as the voice of state MCH leaders and advocate for mothers, families and their children. As the leaders of our country take on important issues such as health care reform, AMCHP is using our purple crayon to draw a future that is healthy for all, but especially for the MCH population. I would be truly honored to record these milestones for AMCHP by serving in the role of Secretary.

Region I Director (1 candidate)

Lisa Bujno, BSN, MSN, ARNP
New Hampshire

Please list any past and current service to AMCHP.

• Governance Committee Chair, 2009-present
• Region I Director, 2007-present

Provide a personal vision statement for AMCHP.
I believe that quality health care should be available, accessible, affordable and culturally competent for all families. I see AMCHP as the premier venue for promoting maternal and child health strategies within the national context, as a voice for MCH programs and through national advocacy and partnership.

What is your motivation for running for this office?
I have been involved with MCH issues over the past 25 years. In my activities as Region I Director, I’ve worked to maintain a consistent voice to AMCHP and have been able to provide input into AMCHP’s direction and new strategic plan. In this current environment of health reform, economic uncertainty and emerging public health threats, I believe I have the experience to help AMCHP achieve its goals of effective communication, improving MCH outcomes, achieving efficiency both organizationally and as a partner to state Title V programs, and developing competent leaders.

Region VI Director (1 candidate)

Suzanna Dooley, MS, ARNP
Oklahoma

Please list any past and current service to AMCHP.

• Member of AMCHP, 1996-2000
• Delegate Member of AMCHP, 2000-Present
• AMCHP Policy and Program Committee, 1996-1999, 2001-2004
• AMCHP Best Practices Committee, 2004-2006
• Work Force Development Co-Chair, 2006-Present
• Region VI Director, 2009-Present

Provide a personal vision statement for AMCHP.
AMCHP is the recognized national organization advocating and working to enhance the health status of all women, mothers, infants, children, youth and their families. AMCHP is a valued partner of peer federal, private and foundation organizations in accomplishment of actions toward policy and health systems changes to assure the health of the maternal and child health populations.

What is your motivation for running for this office?
Serving as the Region VI Director provides the opportunity to be of service to MCH and CSCHN Directors and AMCHP. I would bring many years of experience with both MCH and CSHCN to the position and would look forward to working with Region VI Directors to facilitate communication in the region and with AMCHP. The Region VI Directors are creative and energetic with strong relationships. I see this position representing their ideas and commitment as national level work is accomplished as well as sharing of information from the national level so regional and state activities might be enhanced.

Region IX Director (1 candidate)

Les Newman
California

Please list any past and current service to AMCHP.

• AMCHP Member since 1999 (10 years)
• Region IX representative to the AMCHP Board since March 2007, participating in the many positive changes that have occurred at AMCHP over the last two plus years
• Served as a member of the Finance Committee since March 2007 Finance

Provide a personal vision statement for AMCHP.
My role on the AMCHP Board is to assure that “AMCHP will be an effective and efficient organization” (goal 4). Without an effective organizational structure that is continuingly evaluating itself both internally and externally AMCHP will cease to be relevant. I’m proud to say under the current Board and with the leadership of the Executive Director and his staff, AMCHP is now a relevant national organization. Today AMCHP is an organization that has successfully inserted itself into the health care reform debate/dialogue, especially as it relates to MCAH issues. This is partially a result of the many strategic Partnerships that AMCHP has developed over the last two years. Another important part of my vision for AMCHP is that it operates as a trade association of State MCAH Programs. First and foremost it must serve that mission. Any bigger stages that AMCHP operates in must be done with the clear understanding that AMCHP exists to serve State needs. Ultimately the trade association role and “big stages” role combine to make AMCHP more than the sum of its parts.

What is your motivation for running for this office?
The day to day Title V work we all do is difficult, rewarding, and sometimes frustrating. Some days the only payoff for us in our jobs is through our expertise and tenacity we lessen the impact of a damaging things form happening. This is an important and legitimate role, but my work on the AMCHP Board member gives me an arena to step outside my day to day routines and use my knowledge and skill to ever so slightly impact national MCAH policies. My job at the State level is then to take these policy changes and implement them in a meaningful way. Not bad!

Region X Director (1 candidate)

Maria Nardella, MA, RD, CD
Washington

Please list any past and current service to AMCHP.

• Region X Director to fill a vacancy since March, 2009
• Voting member since 2002
• Attendance at AMCHP Annual Conferences since 2001 including presentations at Skill Building Sessions, Workshops, and Roundtables
• Contributions to AMCHP Pulse and other publications

Provide a personal vision statement for AMCHP.
I am in agreement with the newest leadership at AMCHP that this is an exciting time to help rejuvenate state and national efforts to tackle critical problems facing public health. In the midst of so much that needs to be retooled in our nation, maternal and child health issues need to be clearly visible. A clear case has to be made and heard and believed that it makes sense to more effectively and proactively support the health of women, children and their families. The health of our country depends on it.

What is your motivation for running for this office?
I was nominated to be the Region X Director with the shift of Stephanie Wrightsman-Birch to the position of AMCHP President-Elect. I want my state and region to continue to stay connected and be well-represented regarding national MCH issues. The time has come for me to use my experience to be more proactive with this organization.