FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 27, 2015

Contact: Communications Office
(850) 245-4111

TALLAHASSEE—The Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) recently awarded Dr. Andrew Cannons with the 2015 APHL Emerging Leader Award and Dr. Philip Amuso with the 2015 APHL Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana. The awards given at this meeting mark outstanding achievements in laboratory science, creative approaches to solving today's public health challenges and exemplary support of laboratories serving the public's health.

"We are proud to have public health laboratory leaders like Dr. Cannons and Dr. Amuso on our team," said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. "Together we work to keep Florida's children, adults and families ahead of emerging infections through state-of-the-art technology and skill."

Dr. Andrew Cannons, laboratory director at the Florida Bureau of Public Health Laboratories in Tampa, received the 2015 APHL Emerging Leader Award for contributions to laboratory leadership, practice and management. He has served the APHL through various committees and subcommittees, including the Public Health Preparedness and Response Committee, Policy Committee and the Emerging Leaders Program.

Dr. Philip Amsuo, retired former associate chief of the Bureau of Laboratories and former laboratory director for the Florida Bureau of Public Health Laboratories in Tampa, received the 2015 APHL Lifetime Achievement Award for his leadership and significant contributions to public health at both state and national levels. He has provided many years of service to APHL through membership committees including the Workforce Development Committee.

The Association of Public Health Laboratories is the national organization representing state and local governmental health laboratories in the United States. Its members, known as public health laboratories, monitor and detect health threats to protect the health and safety of Americans. APHL collaborates with laboratory and public health partners to assure effective surveillance, detection and response to health.

The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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