2021 was a milestone year for many: the Fulbright program celebrated 75 years of cultural exchange and scholarship, the modern Olympic games celebrated 125 years of bringing our world together through sports, and the Smithsonian Institution, one of the most significant archival and educational centers in the world, marked 175 years since its creation. Here at FHSLA we are pleased to also be celebrating a milestone this year- 60 years of bringing together health science librarians throughout the state of Florida for networking, education, and resource sharing.
 
FHSLA began as a "grass roots" collective at the Regional Conference of Florida Medical Librarians (RCFML) on April 19, 1961. The first meeting was held at the Bay Pines VA Medical Center. Seven medical librarians attended this historic first meeting: Florence Bulmer (Bay Pines VA Medical Center), Eleanor P Diekema, Helen Donnelly, Christine Metcalf, Stephania Osborn, Pauline Woolridge and Mildred Moore. After drawing names out of a hat, Stephania Osborn was "selected" president.
 
From these humble roots, FHSLA has grown to an organization with over 115 members representing 45 knowledge institutions in Florida. This growth would not be possible without the early support of members Fred Bryant (J. Hillis Miller Health Center Library, UF), Mayo Drake, and Ted Syrgley.

Over the years, FHSLA has adapted its membership categories, meetings, and learning opportunities to grow and be responsive to its members’ needs. In its 60th year, FHSLA has adhered to its mission to “promote and strengthen its members through professional development, advocacy, and networking”. After an eventful year that tested the world, FHSLA responded to both the racial justice movement and the global pandemic through educational offerings at the 2021 annual meeting. To deliver information in a timelier fashion, FHSLA converted the biannual newsletter, FHSLA Alert, into an easily accessible blog. Culminating the 60th anniversary year is the redesign of the association’s logo seen below. As we move into the future, we look forward to the continued growth of our organization in support of health science librarianship in Florida. 

Greetings FHSLA members!

It’s that wonderful time of year with holidays, food, celebrations, and MEMBERSHIP renewals! We value your membership and participation in FHSLA, and we hope that you benefit from the meetings, networking, continuing education, and professional support from the organization and its members.

Dues remain $15 ($15.75 via PayPal to cover processing fees) and you are welcome to visit our membership page: fhsla.org/membership.html to pay online or to print out the mail-in form.

Please remember: online renewal involves a TWO-STEP process. 1) fill out the membership form and then
2) click the PayPal button just below the form to submit your dues. It’s really important to complete both steps so that we know who you are!

Membership renewal is also a great opportunity to express interest in serving as a FHSLA officer or committee member. As a former officer, I can attest, working with FHSLA and the board is a very rewarding experience in a supportive environment. If you’d like to get involved, please let a board member know or check the appropriate box on the membership form and we’ll reach out to you. Also, please consider joining the Honors & Awards Committee, the Membership Committee, the Continuing Education Committee, the Nominating Committee, the Program Committee, or the Strategic Planning Committee.

Thank you for your membership and please spread the word about FHSLA to your coworkers, library students, and colleagues.

Looking forward to a productive 2022 and please feel free to contact me with any comments or questions!

Best wishes,
Stephanie Harris, MLS, AHIP
Membership Chair, FHSLA
[email protected]

This year's theme is " Ending the HIV epidemic: Equitable Access, Everyone's Voice".   This year will mark forty years since the first cases of HIV/AIDS were reported. Celebrate World AIDS day with FHSLA and help spread awareness by sharing important information on HIV and AIDS.

World AIDS Day: Information resources, events, and graphics to celebrate this event. www.hiv.gov/events/awareness-days/world-aids-day
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CDC Let's Stop HIV together: Information on testing, prevention, treatment, and stigma 
www.cdc.gov/stophivtogether/index.html

Ending the HIV epidemic in the US: Operational plan to end the HIV epidemic in the US by 2030. 
​www.hiv.gov/federal-response/ending-the-hiv-epidemic/overview