Gabe Rios, MLIS
December 16, 2024 As I settle into my role as your AAHSL President, I am filled with excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to serve our vibrant community. Reflecting on our recent Annual Meeting in Atlanta, I am reminded of the invaluable connections we fostered and the rich discussions we shared. AAHSL November 2024 Meeting This year’s gathering was a resounding success, thanks to the hard work of our Program and Education Committee, which delivered an outstanding program that included an extra half day of learning and networking. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces and engage in meaningful conversations with colleagues from across the country. One of the standout moments was a workshop organized by our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee. Led by Lisa Fenn, Senior Director of Belonging, Diversity, and Equity for Emory Libraries, the session titled "Fostering an Inclusive Environment for Academic Health Sciences Library Staff" left a lasting impression on me. Lisa’s insights on concepts such as “position,” “disposition,” and “growth mindset” sparked thoughtful reflections among attendees and for me. On Friday, we delved into important topics surrounding the onboarding and education of staff new to health sciences. The panel presentations on artificial intelligence and open science were particularly enlightening, showcasing innovative approaches that are shaping our field. A highlight of the meeting was the AAHSL/GIR Matheson Lecture delivered by Dr. Melissa Boneta Davis. Her groundbreaking work on genetic and environmental factors influencing cancer outcomes in diverse populations, especially those of African ancestry, was both inspiring and thought-provoking. Dr. Davis’s efforts to create novel reference genomes and improve treatment strategies through diverse data integration are paving the way for future advancements in our field. We look forward to sharing a recording of her lecture on the AAHSL website early next year. Oppenheimer Cornerstone Award I am thrilled to announce that our very own Executive Director, Louise Miller, received the prestigious 2024 Oppenheimer Cornerstone Award. Over her 16 years with AAHSL, Louise has been a pillar of support and guidance for our organization. Her thoughtfulness, professionalism, and problem-solving skills have greatly contributed to our success. Congratulations to Louise on this well-deserved recognition and her new role as Senior Vice President at SBI Association Management! Leadership Development As we look toward the future, I want to highlight some exciting initiatives within AAHSL. The NLM/AAHSL Leadership Fellows Program is entering its 22nd year, continuing to prepare emerging leaders for academic health sciences environments. In celebration of its 20 years of success, we have conducted a comprehensive evaluation spanning from 2013 to 2023, with results expected soon. Additionally, recognizing the growing number of new library directors in our association, the New and Interim Directors Committee sponsored a symposium this year that welcomed 20 new and interim directors into a learning cohort beginning at the annual meeting and continuing over the next year. Looking Ahead During our business meeting in October, I shared my commitment to reviewing and updating the 2020 AAHSL Strategic Plan. This update will reflect significant changes since then, including adaptations to post-pandemic work environments, advancements in generative AI, developments in computed biomedical knowledge, and addressing the polarization of health information. We are already gearing up for our next Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, scheduled for Fall 2025! Thank you to all AAHSL board members, staff, and committee members for your hard work and dedication to our mission. Together, we will continue to strengthen our association and enhance the impact of academic health sciences libraries. Wishing you all a joyful start to 2025!
Gabe Rios AAHSL President |
