In 1872, soon after the birth of modern public health in the United States, the American Public Health Association was founded. Over the years, numerous Ohio public health workers were members of this national organization. However, it was not until 1925 that an Ohio organization of public health professionals came into being.

Homer Calver, General Secretary and Managing Editor of the American Public Health Association encouraged Ohio delegates to organize a state and regional section. Mr. Calver came to Ohio to help organize an Ohio Section, and on November 19, 1925, at the Fifth Annual Conference of Health Commissioners, our organization was born.

The first professional organization of Ohio public health workers was affiliated with the American Public Health Association, and was named the "Ohio Society of Sanitarians." The term "sanitarian," which is derived from the Latin word "sanitas," meaning health, was still used during this period to designate all public health workers.

The state objective and motto of the newly founded society was "The Protection and Promotion of Public Health in Ohio." The founding membership totaled 160. Eighty-eight were Ohio health commissioners, 18 were public health nurses, 16 were sanitary engineers and 38 were classified as "other"--with dues of $2.00. Members of the Executive Committee had their motto--"Onward and Upward!"

The logical name for the newly created public health organization would have been "The Ohio Public Health Association;" however, from 1914 to 1948, that was the name of the Tuberculosis Society of Ohio. In 1931, at the annual meeting, there was dissatisfaction regarding our name. One suggestion was "Society of Ohio Sanitarians"--the initials S.O.S. would stand for Seal of Safety" and could be placed on approved water supplies, restaurants, and sewage installations, and maybe even a sticker on children after they had received their immunizations. Instead, the name was changed to "The Ohio Federation of Public Health Officials" until 1949. At this time the Tuberculosis Society of Ohio Changed its official name to "The Ohio Tuberculosis and Health Association"--and the name "The Ohio Public Health Association" was released. It became ours officially in 1950 with incorporation of the association in 1951.

Today, we are still moving "onward and upward" with our mission--to promote and protect personal, community, and environmental health in Ohio by stimulating public action, educating and mobilizing health professionals, promoting research and teaching in areas of public health, and establishing itself as an authoritative resource on health promotion, disease prevention and environmental protection. The Ohio Public Health Association offers many opportunities for increased awareness of public health issues, continuing education, mentoring programs, and a commitment to network with public health leaders of community agencies who share our organization's vision to help make a difference in public health!