Jo Ann Jellison, Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services Awarded Thomas E. Maxson Education, Training and Workforce Development Award by Association of Public Health Laboratories

OMAHA, NE--(Marketwire - Jun 7, 2011) - The Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) presented Jo Ann Jellison, Training Coordinator at the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (VDCLS), with APHL's 2011 Thomas E. Maxson Education, Training and Workforce Development Award. The award was presented at a ceremony on Tuesday, June 7 during APHL's Annual Meeting and 5^th State Environmental Laboratory Conference in Omaha, Nebraska.

The Thomas E. Maxson Education, Training and Workforce Development Award is given to an APHL member who is a public health or clinical laboratory practitioner, trainer or educator who has made significant contributions to public health laboratory practice by creating, delivering or developing continuing education opportunities for the laboratory community. This award was established in memory of Dr. Thomas Maxson, in honor of his longtime support for continuing education and workforce development in the public health laboratory community.

Jellison is responsible for developing, organizing and facilitating training at VDCLS and serves as state training coordinator for the National Laboratory Training Network. She has facilitated numerous workshops for federal agencies, including CDC, FDA, EPA, USDA and the FBI. Additionally, she is a designated mentor for other trainers and an active member of special interest groups in the areas of bioterrorism, biosafety / biosecurity and select agents.

"Jo Ann has demonstrated a true commitment to strengthening the public health laboratory workforce," said Scott Becker, APHL Executive Director. "The Commonwealth of Virginia is fortunate to have someone with her capabilities leading preparedness training initiatives."

The Association of Public Health Laboratories is a national non-profit located in Silver Spring, MD, that is dedicated to working with members to strengthen governmental laboratories with a public health mandate. By promoting effective programs and public policy, APHL strives to provide public health laboratories with the resources and infrastructure needed to protect the health of US residents and to prevent and control disease globally.