Paula A. Steib (ASTHO)  202-715-1638

(PHOENIX, AZ) Sept. 11, 2003 -- The Association of State and Territorial

Health Officials awarded the 2003 McCormack Award to Rice C. Leach, MD,

Commissioner, Kentucky Department for Public Health, during the ASTHO-NACCHO 2003 Joint Conference - September 9-12, 2003, in Phoenix, Arizona.

            The McCormack Award, established in 1950 to honor the late Arthur T.

McCormack, a Kentucky State Health Official, is presented each year to a

current or former public health official who has served in public health for

at least ten years, has demonstrated excellence, and has made a significant

contribution to the knowledge and practice of the field.

Dr. Leach, was appointed Commissioner, Kentucky Department for Public

Health, in July 1992, following over 25 years service as an officer of the

United States Public Health Service (USPHS). Dr. Leach served most of his

career in the USPHS in the Indian Health Service, where he was a general

medical officer, hospital administrator, and director of all Indian Health

Service (IHS) programs in North and South Dakota.

His IHS experience included developing an automated data system for patient care and public health programs, site project officer on a telecommunications project involving NASA, the Lockheed Space and Missile Corporation, and the USPHS, and numerous other consultation and development activities. He served as chief of professional staff recruitment for the USPHS and then as chief of staff to the Surgeon General before accepting his assignment in Kentucky.

"It is always gratifying to receive personal recognition from your peers but a wise person knows that it does not happen in my world without lots of hard work and commitment from the doctors, hospitals, public health workers, and government officials who help us along the way. It may have my name on it but it is really for all of us,” Leach said.

            Dr. Leach is a native of Kentucky, a graduate of Amherst College, the

University of Kentucky College of Medicine, and the Harvard School of Public

Health where he obtained a master's degree in health services

administration. He is a diplomate of the American College of Preventive

Medicine and the American College of Physician Executives. He is a fellow to

the American College of Physician Executives and a Certified Physician

Executive.

            The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) is the

national nonprofit organization representing the state and territorial

public health agencies of the United States, the U.S. Territories, and the

District of Columbia. ASTHO's members, the chief health officials of these

jurisdictions, are dedicated to formulating and influencing sound public

health policy, and to assuring excellence in state-based public health

practice.

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