2021 AAHB Election Results

• I am excited and humbled by this opportunity to run for President of the American Academy of Health Behavior. This is an organization that is near and dear to my heart.  

  I am a faculty member at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. My research focuses on the intersection of HIV and aging, specifically on mental health and health behaviors, and my research is funded by the NIH/National Institute on Aging. I strive to bring authentic community-engaged approaches to my work. This means that I try to be responsive to what I am hearing and seeing and I am reflective in my thinking. I often ask myself and my team, what is our motivation for asking a research question? What will we do with the answer? I have asked myself these questions in regards to running for President.

  My motivation for running

  I attended my first AAHB conference in 2011. I remember being in awe of the renowned researchers I met and being pleasantly surprised that they took the time to engage me in conversation (I am sure it had nothing to do with my task of handing out drink tickets). Even as a student I knew AAHB would be unlike any other professional organization I would join. I immediately sought involvement through reviewing abstracts and subsequently serving as the Research Review Chair, becoming a member on the Diversity and Equity Council, and presently serving as Secretary. I am fortunate to be on the Board with a group of people who care deeply about the future of this organization. I want to continue to be a part of building on our rich past through bold initiatives that will ensure a successful future. Consequently, I have some ideas about how we can challenge ourselves as an organization in the next few years. 

  My vision for AAHB

  To quote Lisako McKyer, we are an organization that has “one foot firmly planted in the past with eyes gazing toward the future.” As stewards of our disciplines, this tug and pull between the past and the future is something we do every day as scientists. We advance science while acknowledging the fact that we stand on the shoulders of giants. In the same way, I consider the Board to be the stewards of AAHB. We have a charge to engage and listen to our members, honor our origins, while at the same time, evolve with new ideas.

  I think often about what AAHB means to me. Some of our colleagues call it their professional home. I call it a part of my professional identity. As it has with many others, AAHB has given me the space to grow as a leader, a scholar, and a health behavior researcher. Of the various organizational “hats” that I wear, I am most proud of the one that bears the name of this organization. AAHB offers not only tangible benefits like our dynamic scientific conference, but also many priceless intangibles - a welcoming community that respects different perspectives, where inspiring conversations turn into research aspirations and foster grant applications, and where you find encouragement to take on new professional challenges. These are the things that sustain my spirit as a researcher. This camaraderie is part of the AAHB heritage, a secret weapon – if you will- and an aspect for which we should encourage every member to define as their own “AAHB identity.” So how do we translate this vision into action? I offer these ideas: 

•        We have a council of Past-Presidents that is not currently incorporated into the governing structure of the Board. I would invite a representative to serve as a “resident historian” on the Board. 
•        There have long been discussions about student representation and I support avenues for student voices to be heard. While acknowledging the value of meritocracy in our organization, we also need to be mindful of membership growth and building the leadership pipeline. I would create an Assembly of Student Scholars to serve in an advisory role to the Board which would also be responsible for planning and leading a student-centered activity at the scientific conference.
•        I will commit to having at least 3 AAHB members in our speaker pool for the 2022 conference to showcase the diverse talents of our members. Let’s also offer more oral presentation options by selecting the top scoring abstracts for a distinguished symposium session.
•        First-time attendees are more likely to stay engaged if they leave the conference feeling welcomed. In addition to our current activities, I would implement a “welcome” program where first-time attendees are paired with a seasoned member or board member as their conference host. This program also could be a way to foster informal mentoring relationships outside of our Research Scholars Mentorship Program.   
•        Our financial viability is crucial to a sustainable future. I would work with the Resource Development Committee to explore ideas like offering pre-conference workshops or mid-year seminars, writing conference grants, creative fundraising with a silent auction, or developing and publishing a textbook. 

It would be a great honor to serve as the President of AAHB. If entrusted with this role, I promise to lead with equanimity, with active listening, with honest and transparent communication, and with commitment to the growth, success, enhanced visibility, and long-term sustainability of this organization. Thank you for your consideration and support.