Today and Every Day—Thank You Public Health Professionals!

On the Monday before Thanksgiving, APHL, along with Research!America and other leading public health organizations, celebrates Public Health Thank You Day. And in a year when public health has seen more than its share of challenges, our thank you couldn’t be louder and more heartfelt!

This November 24 (and every day, really!), we salute public health professionals for their tireless and selfless service keeping our communities, our country and our world safer. Thank you for your skilled work, your impassioned advocacy and your unwavering dedication to science and the population’s health. Thank you for giving us all the opportunity to live a healthier life!

Below, APHL staffers share some of the many reasons why they’re thankful for public health. Let us know why you’re thankful for public health using the hashtag #PHTYD.

“As always, I want to thank all the great people who work in public health laboratories across the nation. Your work helps to improve lives in your community and across our country, every day, everywhere. This year I also want to especially thank all the federal public health scientists who continue to work and provide excellent service through challenging circumstances.”–Scott Becker, chief executive officer

“On Public Health Thank You Day and all year long, I’m grateful to live in a state where scientists are constantly looking out for avoidable threats to my health, whether it’s chemicals in our foods, contaminants in our environment or dangerous bacteria in our foods and supplements. Thank you to our dedicated public health professionals!”–Shari Shea, senior director, Food Safety

“I am forever thankful for public health and grateful for all the laboratory professionals who pay attention to all the details, every day.”–Rob Nickla, manager, Training Program Management, Training and Workforce Development

“I am thankful every day for the tireless and often unseen efforts of public health workers. The other day, while my son was at the pediatrician’s office and nervous about his seasonal flu vaccine and annual SARS-CoV-2 booster (thanks public health!), his nurse took us behind the scenes to see the ‘lab.’ We got to see newborn screening cards waiting to go to the public health laboratory, some vaccines in the freezer and some petri dishes in the fridge. It was a great reminder that while not everyone thinks about public health all the time, it is always there for us! Thank you for continuing to do the great work you do—seen or unseen.”–Anne Gaynor, director, Infectious Diseases

“I am grateful to the leaders of our public health laboratory system. Their dedication to their teams and colleagues is exemplary. I feel confident that the leaders and their teams are committed to US health and to the health of the world’s citizens. I am thankful for their willingness to face the challenge and overcome the adversity, working tirelessly for all.”–Catherine Johnson, senior director, Training Program Management, Training and Workforce Development

“I am thankful for public health because the goal is always to keep our families and communities safe. People don’t always recognize the value public health brings to their lives, yet we’re all better because of it.”–Kenlie Fite, lead specialist, Leadership Programs, Experiential Learning

“I am thankful because public health examines how and why groups of people get sick, looks upstream to identify underlying causes and advocates for systemic changes to eliminate causes of illness. I’m thankful to all the people who choose to work in public health and can envision this bigger picture of wellness.”–Jennifer Liebreich, senior program manager, Environmental Health

“Public health unites all people, regardless of race, culture, beliefs, age, gender, home or place in the world. Public health is global!”–Caroline Dorworth Fukuda, project coordinator, Global Health International

“Today we celebrate the incredible dedication of those working in public health. Your resilience, commitment to science and tireless efforts make communities healthier—one person at a time. Thank you for showing up every day to protect and improve lives.”–Cindy Bluth, senior executive assistant, Executive Office

“Whether you work in a laboratory, in policy, in a hospital, government and so many other positions, this thank-you goes out to all public health professionals for your tireless commitment to keeping people safe and healthy.”–Amy Bryant, specialist, Food Safety

“I love public health because it is comprised of a group of individuals who have a passion for the well-being of those around them, without any discrimination. In a world where we can always use more empathy, I find that empathy is one thing I can always count on from the people I work with.”–Anumita Bajpai, senior specialist, Global Health

“I’m thankful to public health professionals for their tireless dedication to keeping our families, friends and communities healthy and safe. They are the superheroes behind the scenes, the quiet force keeping us all protected. Their work saves lives every day, often without recognition, and I am inspired by their ability to stay resilient through crises and difficult times.”–Katie Hislop, senior specialist, Instructional Design