Message from the Chair
It is hard to believe that it is almost time for many of us to get together at the annual MLA meeting in Austin. I for one am looking forward to exploring the city, listening to some live music, and finding a good food truck or two. More importantly, I am looking forward to getting to see many MAC members at this year’s meeting. MAC always makes significant contributions at the annual meeting and before we all get busy with the conference; I wanted to take time to highlight some of these.
Several MAC members, Emily Hurst, Virginia Commonwealth University, Terri Ottosen, Southeast Atlantic, Regional Medical Library and Brandi Tuttle, Duke University Medical Center will serve on this year’s Nominating Committee and will be working to select the next slate of leaders for MLA.
Emily Mazure, Duke University Medical Center will be receiving the David A. Kronick Traveling Fellowship and Jennifer Walker, University of North Carolina is receiving one of MLA’s Continuing Education Award.
Two longtime MAC members, Beverly Murphy, Duke University Medical Center and Julia Shaw-Kokot, who as she says, recently graduated from the University of North Carolina, will become Fellows of the Medical Library Association. This is one of the highest honors that can be given to an MLA Members and is an amazing achievement for the two of them.
Barbara Epstein, University of Pittsburgh will be giving the Janet Doe Lecture. For those who do not know about this award, the Janet Doe Lecturer is an individual who is chosen by MLA for their unique perspective on the history or philosophy of the Medical Library Association. I am really looking forward to hearing what Barbara will have to say during her lecture.
Teresa Knott, Virginia Commonwealth University, will begin her time on the MLA Executive Board, as she becomes President-Elect of MLA.
I would also like to take the time to highlight the contributions of Melissa Ratajeski. Melissa will be ending her time as the MAC Chapter Council Representative for MLA’s Chapter Council at this year’s meeting. Melissa came to MAC when we merged with the Pittsburgh Chapter and since then has been a strong advocate for MAC at the national level. She took her position as the MAC representative on a little early and has served a bit longer than normal as our Chapter Council rep. Her willingness to serve and represent MAC is something that I have been grateful for and appreciate. She has been an invaluable member of the MAC Board for many years and it has been a pleasure to work with her. Thank you Melissa!
Additionally, I know many of you will be presenting papers and posters, serving as mentors to new members, and participating on a variety of committees and task groups. The service that MAC members provide to MLA is something we should all be proud of. I look forward to seeing many of you at this year’s meeting!
Ryan Harris
MAC Chair