While this was written after 2011’s meeting, the descriptions it shares hold true from year to year.
by Lori Andersen, MEd, CHES
Spending a week in Washington, D.C. learning from public health leaders was the perfect way to spend Halloween week. Though this was my second APHA attendance, I felt much more prepared and able to “make the most” of the conference. The Tulane APHA preparation seminars aided in a personally successful APHA conference.
My favorite part of APHA was attending poster sessions in my fields of interest. I was able to network with others that conduct research and I also enjoyed the flexibility to discuss the presented research in more depth than is sometimes feasible during oral sessions. While at the poster sessions, I gained confidence in my ability to analyze research for its strengths and weaknesses. I also had the opportunity to present research during a poster session. This was my first time presenting a poster at APHA and I was initially really nervous. Presenting at APHA increased my self-efficacy for presenting at future conferences.
Another reason I was grateful I was able to attend APHA was to touch base with other colleagues that live in different parts of the country. I reconnected with a former classmate and a former professor. I was able to collaborate with my former professor regarding research that may turn into future publications. I feel APHA was a great sphere to increase opportunities for my future career.
I also gleaned a lot from the many oral sessions I attended. As usual, there was a large amount of information to process and digest at these sessions. But, attending sessions in my field of interest helped me rediscover my passion for public health. I can’t wait to celebrate public health next year in San Francisco!
Lori Andersen is a doctoral candidate in the department of Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences. She will be presenting on the topic of gender differences and determinants of obesity at this year’s APHA meeting.
