OGHA Deputy Director Mary Lou Valdez presented with NAHFE Foreign Service Award.

On September 7, 2004, OGHA Deputy Director for Policy Mary Lou Valdez was awarded the 2004 National Association of Hispanic Federal Executives(NAHFE) Foreign Affairs Service Award. Read below for a description of the award, and the official release:

Mary Lou Valdez, M.S.

In August of 2003, was appointed Deputy Director for Policy, Office of Global Health Affairs, Office of the Secretary and has provided leadership in the identification, development, coordination and implementation of HHS international policy positions. In 2004, she became a member of the Senior Executive Service.

Ms. Valdez is a principal and valued advisor in the Office of the Secretary. She has the responsibility of coordination of U.S. Government Policy impute relating to health and health related activities implemented by international and multilateral organizations, including, among others, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the UN Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the UN Special Commission that targets health and social issues in the rubric of the UN Economic and Social Council, and the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). She has also worked vigorously to promote activities to commemorate the 10 th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family on behalf of the U.S. Government.

An important aspect of Ms. Valdez's job is to analyze the accomplishments, impact, and effectiveness of U.S. Policies, and ensure consistent policy messages are articulated across a wide range of international venues. To this end, Ms. Valdez has been a key contributor to U.S. efforts at the UN Sixth Committee meetings for a complete ban on human cloning. Ms. Valdez's collaborative and inclusive approach has facilitated the promotion of the USG policy and ensured its application within HHS bilateral and multilateral relationships and initiatives. Similarly efforts are also taking place as the United States has re-joined the UNESCO and its international bioethics committee (IBC). Through the IBC, negotiation of a declaration on universal norms and bioethics has started; oversight of this important initiative has similarly fallen within Ms. Valdez's portfolio.

The NAHFE Foreign Affairs Service Award

The NAHFE Foreign Service Award was established in 1994. The purpose of the award is to recognize and honor the excellence in leadership, creativity, innovation and consummate professionalism of Hispanic Americans, who serve their country in duty stations throughout the world with distinction. Through their service they bring great honor on themselves, the Federal community, and the Nation.