THIS ISSUE AVAILABLE ONLINE WITH EXPANDED INFORMATION AND PHOTOS AT:
http://www.hhs.gov/news/newsletter/weekly
IN THIS ISSUE:
1) Administration Fights Spread of Global AIDS
2) Surgeon General to speak at Cinco de Mayo Health Fair
3) HHS Chief of Staff Bob Wood to Leave
4) Deputy Secretary Claude Allen Nominated to 4th Circuit
5) Personal Health
6) Please take time to congratulate the following people for being designated Office of the Secretary Employee of the Quarter for January - March 2003:
7) Secretary Tommy G. Thompson's public schedule
Administration Fights Spread of Global AIDS
Secretary Thompson joined President Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell at the White House on April 29 to urge Congress to approve the President's plan to triple the amount of funding to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS around the world. Two days later, the House voted overwhelmingly to approve the five-year, $15 billion plan.
The proposal, approved 374 to 41, was first announced by President Bush in his State of the Union address. Included in the proposal, now before the Senate, are funds for treatment and prevention, as well as an unmatched commitment from the United States for the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
"The fight against HIV/AIDS has no greater ally than the United States, and we are committed to working with other countries, non-governmental organizations and others to end this diseases that is tearing apart families, communities and even countries," said Secretary Thompson, chairman of the Global Fund. "President Bush has made it perfectly clear: This is not a fight that the United States will abandon. This is a fight we will lead. But it is not a fight that we alone can win."
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Surgeon General to speak at Cinco de Mayo Health Fair
U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona will talk about the importance of prevention in overall health as he speaks to senior citizens at a Cinco de Mayo health fair in Bethlehem, PA, on May 5.
Dr. Carmona has spoken to senior citizens in Arizona, California, and Kentucky already about Medicare modernization and the simple things that seniors can do in their own lives to promote healthier living.
"President Bush and Secretary Thompson are working hard to bring Medicare into the 21st century," Dr. Carmona said. "But in addition, there are things that each and every person can do to improve his or her life. Things like not smoking, avoiding excess drinking, eating healthfully, and getting some physical activity every day. Just by walking 30 minutes a day, a person can begin to see health benefits."
President Bush is working to modernize Medicare by adding a prescription drug benefit to Medicare. Under the president's plan, every senior citizen would receive some help in paying for prescription drugs.
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HHS Chief of Staff Bob Wood to Leave
Bob Wood, Tommy Thompson's long time Chief of Staff will be venturing into the private sector for an opportunity at Barbour Griffith & Rogers, a public affairs firm in Washington, D.C.
"Bob is one of the most trusted and talented advisors I've ever had, and he's one of the most skilled and dedicated public servants I've had the privilege to work with," Secretary Thompson said. "Bob helped lead a challenging transition for HHS, with its upgrades in the wake of terrorism, its push for advancements in science, and its leadership role in developing cutting-edge health policy for the betterment of all Americans. He will be missed by myself and his HHS colleagues."
Wood, 36 began working for Thompson in 1994 while he was Governor of Wisconsin as an education policy advisor. Since then he has moved through the ranks to campaign manager for the 1998 gubernatorial campaign, then to Chief of Staff in the Governor's office and one of Secretary Thompson's most trusted advisors.
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Deputy Secretary Claude Allen Nominated to 4th Circuit
Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary Claude A. Allen, was nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit by President George W. Bush Monday, April 28.
"Claude Allen is a remarkable individual who continually works to bring people together in an effort to solve some of the nation's most complicated problems. He is fair-minded, conscientious and responsible - qualities that have served the Department of Health and Human Services and America well the last two years." Secretary Thompson said. "Claude provides excellent council and management to the department at a time when we are facing an unprecedented array of issues, both at home and abroad. I value his council and leadership, and I will always value our friendship."
Deputy Secretary Allen is a well-known public servant. Before coming to HHS, he was the Secretary of Health and Human Resources in Virginia and also drove key initiatives such as welfare reform and the passing of the Patient's Bill of Rights under Governor Gilmore. Deputy Secretary Allen also worked to implement the private health insurance program for children and families, offering lower-cost coverage options to thousands of uninsured Virginians.
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Personal Health
Here is some information to disparage the myth that skipping meals is a good way to lose weight.
Fact: Your body needs a certain amount of calories and nutrients each day in order to work properly. If you skip meals during the day, you will be more likely to make up for those missing calories by snacking or eating more at the next meal. Studies show that people who skip breakfast tend to be heavier than those who eat a nutritious breakfast.
A healthier way to lose weight is to eat many small meals throughout the day that include a variety of nutritious, low-fat, and low-calorie foods.
This information is provided by the National Institute of Health.
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Please take time to congratulate the following people for being designated Office of the Secretary Employee of the Quarter for January - March 2003:
Matthew Payne - Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness (OPHEP)
Stephanie Kaminsky - Office for Civil Rights (OCR), Headquarters
Monique Mansoura - Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness (OPHEP)
Kathleen Bradley-Nader - Office of the General Council (OGC), Region X
Ted Yasuda - Office of the General Council (OGC), Region V
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Secretary Tommy G. Thompson's public schedule:
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Last updated May 5, 2003
United States Department of Health and Human Services
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