The conference theme is Preparing for the Environmental Public Health Challenges of the 21st Century. The conference plenary sessions are designed to challenge all of us to look at our environmental public health programs and activities in new and creative ways. Breakout sessions will present a broad mix of topics including terrorism preparedness and emergency response as well as advancements in environmental public health sciences and services. An important emphasis of this conference will be the development of emerging environmental public health leaders. We have sponsored over 65 such emerging leaders--identified through a rigorous selection process--to attend and participate in this conference. We encourage you to meet and welcome these up-and-coming professionals; they will be among those at the forefront of shaping the future of environmental public health.

In August 2003, Dr. Julie Louise Gerberding, Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Administrator, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), announced that a process would begin to consolidate the administrative and management functions of NCEH's Office of the Director and ATSDR's Office of the Assistant Administrator. This consolidation already is facilitating enhanced collaboration and programmatic synergy that is resulting in a strengthened environmental public health presence at CDC and ATSDR. NCEH/ATSDR also has launched a strategic directions initiative that complements CDC/ATSDR's Futures Initiative. The aim of both initiatives is to take a fresh look at our futures to achieve the best possible science and service for our customers and partners. The success of both processes is dependent on obtaining advice from our customers and partners, and you will have opportunities at this conference to provide us with this input.

We hope that you will seize every opportunity to interact and share with your colleagues and that you will leave this conference with many ideas for advancing your own programs. Thank you for your support and best wishes for a fulfilling conference experience.

Henry Falk, MD, MPH