State Health Officer for the North Dakota Department of Health, Dr. Terry Dwelle, assumed the chair of the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE) on Monday, December 14. He was elected as chair-elect in 2008, and assumed office as chair at the recent annual meeting of the NBPHE. Dr. Dwelle was nominated to the NBPHE in 2006 by the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) as their official representative.

He succeeds Dean Donna Petersen of the University of South Florida College of Public Health. Dr. Dwelle has pledged his commitment to the voluntary certification of the public health workforce in saying, “Our health department will look for CPH status in our recruitment process since it provides a standardized way of assuring a basic understanding of public health concepts.”

Dr. Dwelle was appointed to the office of state health officer by Governor John Hoeven in October 2001. Previously, Dr. Dwelle served as chief medical officer for the department. Dr. Dwelle earned his medical degree from St. Louis University School of Medicine, graduating cum laude. He later received a master's degree in public health and tropical medicine from Tulane University. Dr. Dwelle is a member of the Charter Class of Certified in Public Health (CPH) professionals. A native of Garrison, North Dakota, Dr. Dwelle has worked with the University of North Dakota School of Medicine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Indian Health Service. In addition, he practiced pediatrics in Bismarck, North Dakota, for many years. Most recently, Dr. Dwelle headed development of the Community Health Evangelism Program in East Africa. In 2008, Dr. Dwelle received the national McCormack Award from ASTHO. The McCormack Award is a presented each year to a public health official who has demonstrated excellence in public health and has made a significant contribution to the knowledge and practice of the field.

At the same December meeting, Dr. Cheryl Healton, president and CEO of the American Legacy Foundation, was elected chair-elect, and Dr. Walter Tsou, past-president of APHA and public health consultant, was elected Secretary/Treasurer.

For more information on the CPH exam, click here.

[Photo caption: Dr. Dwelle]