Dr. Henry Albert spent the summer of 1904 studying pathology, bacteriology and public health in Europe at some of the most famous laboratories in the world. In the fall, the 26-year-old medical doctor returned to the University of Iowa, his alma mater, as professor and head of the UI Department of Pathology and Bacteriology, and the first director of the State Hygienic Laboratory (then the State Bacteriological Laboratory).

Following a trend of the day, Albert left his medical practice to focus on teaching, laboratory investigation and consultation. He was known for his strong interest in infectious diseases and related public health matters.

Christopher Atchison

Albert left the state in 1921 for health reasons, but returned in 1926 as commissioner of the newly created Iowa State Department of Health (now the Iowa Department of Public Health - IDPH).

The Iowa Public Health Association’s (IPHA’s) highest statewide honor is named for Dr. Albert in recognition of his “distinguished and exemplary leadership in public health in Iowa.” The award has been given to Iowa leaders throughout the public health system since 1968.

This year, Christopher Atchison, the current Hygienic Laboratory director, received the Henry Albert Memorial Award on April 12 at the Iowa Governor’s Conference on Public Health.

Atchison has worked in public health for 31 years, and has led the Hygienic Laboratory since 2006. Like Albert, he returned to his native state of Iowa to become director of IDPH from 1991 to 1999. Also like his predecessor, Atchison teaches at the University of Iowa as the Associate Dean for Public Health Practice and professor of Health Management and Policy.

Dr. Henry Albert

“Christopher Atchison is truly a public health champion for Iowa,” the Iowa Public Health Association reported in the announcement of the 2016 award recipient.

“Chris has given very numerous presentations at national, state and local meetings on a wide variety of public health topics. He is a reviewer for the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice and for the Journal of the American Medical Association. Chris is on the PHAB Accreditation Committee, the ASTHO Education Committee, and is Secretary Treasurer for the Association of Public Health Laboratories.”

In Albert’s day, the health threats included typhoid fever, diphtheria and tuberculosis. The doctor advocated for a strong public health system to serve the state well.

As contemporatory highly infectious diseases emerge – such as Zika, MERS and the westernization of Ebola – the public health system is as important today as ever.

Leaders like Albert and Atchison bring state and national attention to the critical need for an effective public health system, as does the IPHA award that honors them both.