Title
To honor and recognize Michael P. Smeltzer for his 40 years of exemplary public health service to Columbus Public Health and thank him for his commitment to the residents of the City of Columbus.
Body
WHEREAS, Michael Smeltzer grew up in Los Angeles, California and decided to study at The Ohio State University where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology; and
WHEREAS, Michael began his public health career at Columbus Public Health as a lab technician in 1970 where he earned $4.14 an hour; and
WHEREAS, Michael was promoted to a lab supervisor position where he managed a staff of ten and was in charge of budget oversight, grant acquisitions, purchasing, research and other protocols; and
WHEREAS, Michael became the director of the Columbus Public Health Sexually Transmitted Disease and HIV/AIDS Program; establishing some of the earliest AIDS tests in Columbus, making it one of the first health departments to provide HIV testing in Ohio; and
WHEREAS, Michael's desire for community improvement led him to obtain his Master's in Public Health in Laboratory Practice and Parasitology; and
WHEREAS, Michael's advocacy extended beyond the basic testing of persons for HIV/AIDS, but included his backing of counseling and supportive services for persons diagnosed with HIV in the community; and
WHEREAS, Michael developed an extensive professional resume at Columbus Public Health and during his tenure served as a Laboratory Technologist, an Ambulatory Services Laboratory Director, worked in the Office of Public Health Standards, served as a Violence Prevention Team Leader, and was employed as the Director of the Division of Planning and Peak Performance; and
WHEREAS, Michael's broad management and leadership roles at Columbus Public Health over the years helped him to become known across Ohio as the "go-to guy" when it came to information about national public health issues, he served as Ohio's lead representative to the American Public Health Association, and also served in a number of roles for the Ohio Public Health Association- including service as President; and
WHEREAS, Michael is also a nationally recognized expert for MAPP--Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships which is a national best practice standard that is used for community health improvement planning; and
WHEREAS, Michael's expertise and professionalism has allowed him to travel across the country representing the City of Columbus and Columbus Public Health; training trainers and helping community health leaders; and
WHEREAS, Michael is also known for his support of young professionals seeking entry into the Public Health profession - often listening, offering suggestions, staying connected and taking a genuine interest in their lives and their ongoing success; and
WHEREAS, Michael's commitment has not been limited to public health, but has extended to his service on a variety of boards including: Community Research Partners, the Central Ohio Trauma System, the Suicide Prevention Board, Strategies Against Violence Everywhere, the Youth Violence Prevention Advisory Board and regular service as a consultant to the Kettering Foundation; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby honor and recognize Michael Smeltzer for 40 years of exemplary public health service and congratulate him on his retirement from the City of Columbus.