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Hi LHIT! Today is Say Something Nice Day, and it felt like a good opportunity to recognize a few people who have been at the top of my mind lately.

@Jason Frame is one of those people I reach out to when I need a dose of inspiration. He knows his field inside and out, but what stands out most is his genuine desire to help others succeed and do their best work.

@Jonathan Ong possesses a rare combination of talents: deep expertise and the ability to communicate it clearly. He's incredibly smart, generous with his knowledge, and always willing to help others learn.

@Bob Brooks is one of my favorite people to talk to. He knows just about everything there is to know about IT, but he also cares deeply about public health. He treats everyone with such kindness that it's palpable. I wish I could have a Bob in every room.

@Robert Bastani is someone I could chat with for hours about cybersecurity. He's one of my favorite people to connect with at the federal level because he has a gift for making difficult subjects feel tangible, approachable, and solvable.

@Chris Collinge inspires me every day with his ability to solve problems quickly and effectively. He's risen into a senior leadership role, yet he never loses sight of the people around him and always leads with compassion.

@Noel Clarin seamlessly bridges two challenging professions with grace. He's someone I always want to keep up with because I'm certain he's working on something innovative and impactful.

@Kate Louther is incredibly forward-thinking and never afraid to try something new. The way she challenges conventional thinking continually helps me reframe how I view the role of IT in public health.

@Amina Sharif drives change. She sees opportunities, builds toward them, and somehow manages to make countless friends along the way. Her energy and determination are contagious.

There are so many others I could mention, but these are a few of the people who immediately came to mind. Thank you for the ways you've inspired me and countless others along the way.

Who are some people in public health IT who inspire you?

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Angie Castillo
Senior Web Specialist
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)
Washington DC
(571)484-4663
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Dear Angie,

Thank you for your kind words. They mean a great deal to me. I deeply appreciate and respect you, and I am continually impressed by the dedication, leadership, and commitment that you and your team bring to your work every day. The efforts of your community are instrumental in strengthening, protecting, and advancing our local public health system, often through challenges that require resilience, collaboration, and innovation.

It is a privilege to work alongside such passionate professionals, and I am grateful for all that you do to support the health and well-being of the communities you serve. Thank you for your partnership and for the positive impact you make each day.

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Robert Bastani
Supervisory Information Technology Specialist
Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR)
Washington DC
(202)691-2080
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@Angie Castillo Thank you for the kind words. I've always appreciated our conversations and the impact you bring to LHIT and NACCHO as a whole. I'm grateful to collaborate with so many brilliant people and look forward to continuing to learn, innovate, and push meaningful work forward with everyone.

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E. Noel Clarin
Public Health Informatics and IT Director

Fairfax County Health Department
10777 Main St.
Fairfax, VA 22030
Noel.Clarin@fairfaxcounty.gov
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