UA’s Leeper Honored by American Public Health Association

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Dr. James Leeper, a professor in the department of community and rural medicine in The University of Alabama’s College of Community Health Sciences, was honored by the American Public Health Association for his contributions and commitment to the organization.

Leeper was presented with the APHA’s Intersection Council “Making the Difference” award for his “outstanding contributions toward our goals” and his “loyal dedication and unwavering commitment,” according to the association.

He recently received the award at the association’s annual meeting in  New Orleans. Leeper is past chair of the council and has served in leadership roles on its steering committee for the past four years.

The Intersection Council brings together representatives of the 31 APHA sections, which serve as the professional units of the association and represent major public health disciplines and programs. The council conducts activities to promote the mission and fulfill the goals of the 25,000-member APHA, which works to improve population health by placing an emphasis on prevention, advocacy and public education.

Leeper has been a member of the APHA since 1977 and has been especially active in the statistic section, serving as section chair, program planning chair, governing councilor and section councilor. He has also served as secretary and newsletter editor for the statistics section.

In addition to serving on and chairing the ISC steering committee, Leeper has had other leadership roles with the APHA including as a member of the executive, science and education boards, continuing education committee, program development board, joint policy committee and liaison to the Taskforce on Community Preventive Services. He is chair of the APHA membership committee.