Posted
For Immediate Release: Monday, October 18, 2021
Phyusin Myint, PhD, Washington County’s Health Equity, Planning and Policy Program Supervisor, is the new President-Elect of the Oregon Public Health Association (OPHA). Members of the association voted electronically to elect Myint, and the vote was announced at the association’s annual conference on October 12, 2021.
“I look forward to supporting OPHA’s mission, capacity and dedication to equity, diversity and inclusion,” said Myint, who also serves as Co-Chair of OPHA’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee.
“As a woman of color, an immigrant from Burma who was displaced from my home due to war, and the first in my family to obtain an education in this country, I am so proud to be representing these identities on the OPHA leadership,” added Myint, who holds a doctorate degree in Public Affairs and Policy.
OPHA has been around for nearly 80 years, and has nearly 600 members including students, health educators, doctors, nurses, dental professionals, public health professionals, researchers, professors, community leaders and citizens who are committed to improving public health in Oregon.
The organization, which is an affiliate of the American Public Health Association, the largest public health association in the nation, advocates for policies that protect and promote health and health equity for everyone in Oregon. Recent advocacy issues include racism as a public health crisis, climate change, water fluoridation and public charge. OPHA also provides learning, collaboration and leadership opportunities for public health professionals and the community.
Jillene Joseph, community leader, and Executive Director of Native Wellness Institute, congratulated Myint on her new position.
“Dr. Myint is a powerhouse within the BIPOC community and beyond. Her enthusiasm for data justice, equity and push for anti-racism and anti-oppression work in the public health arena is admirable. I am thrilled for her newly elected position and will support her successful tenure in any way I can,” said Joseph.
Myint will take over as OPHA president in October 2022. That’s when current president, Tabitha Jensen, who is also Deputy Director of New Avenues for Youth, will step down.
Myint’s supervisory position in Washington County is in the Public Health Division.
Media Contact:
Mary Sawyers, Public Information Officer, Washington County Public Health503-726-6459
[email protected]