(Oakland, CA, July 23, 2008) Trisha Murakawa, a communications strategist and public affairs professional from Redondo Beach, was recently named chair of the Board of Directors for the American Lung Association of California. Murakawa has been a leader in the organization since 1997 and has served on the board since 1999.
She brings with her a wealth of knowledge about communications, project management and public policy. Before starting Murakawa Communications, she was president and managing partner of Lang & Murakawa, a strategic communications and public affairs firm based in downtown Los Angeles.
“Volunteering for the American Lung Association of California has been a great fit for me,” Murakawa said. “Lung disease affects so many people, and it hits close to home. Several of my family members suffered from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and my aunt had tuberculosis. She was quarantined and was separated from her husband for many years. I think about her often.”
Over the years, Murakawa has been a leader in a number of high profile public affairs projects and political campaigns, including serving as project manager for the West Basin Municipal Water District’s construction awareness program, the Watch the Road public education campaign, and the Orange County Transportation Authority Master Rail Plan public affairs program. She also served as campaign manager for California State Controller John Chiang’s November 2006 victorious election and has coordinated advocacy efforts for five statewide ballot initiatives.
She has been actively involved in the American Lung Association of California during her tenure, serving as board secretary as well as on a number of committees, including the Communications Committee, Executive Committee and Government Relations Committee. She is also a leader in the nationwide American Lung Association and is currently a member of the National Assembly. She has served on a variety of committees and taskforces at the national level, including the Diversity Caucus.
“My service at the national level helps me see the big picture and how it relates to what we are doing here in California,” Murakawa said. “In the next year, I will be focused on strengthening the organization so we can continue our leadership role statewide. I also want to attract more volunteers to join our efforts so we can make a deeper impact with our priority initiatives.”
As one of the leading environmental health advocates, the American Lung Association of California is working on key initiatives to reduce air pollution and global warming, address urgent public health issues like the asthma epidemic, lung cancer and the spread of tuberculosis, and reduce the death and disease caused by tobacco use. As experts in lung health, the association helps people with lung disease live quality lives, prevents others from ever getting it, and invests in key lung disease research.
Murakawa also provides leadership to a number of other professional and community organizations, including serving on the University of California, Los Angeles, Alumni Association Board, the Redondo Beach Harbor Commission and the Redondo Beach Growth Management and Traffic Committee, among other service activities. In her spare time, she and her husband are raising two children, ages 5 and 8.
David Claman, MD, with the University of California, San Francisco, Mount Zion Hospital, was elected to lead the California Thoracic Society, the American Lung Association of California's medical section, a 600-member organization that includes pulmonary physicians, critical care specialists, sleep specialists, pediatric pulmonary specialists, allergists, thoracic surgeons, advanced practice nurses and respiratory therapists. The society keeps its members and other providers, agencies and payers up-to-date on the latest advances in pulmonary care through educational papers and publications and its annual conference in Carmel, which attracts top pulmonary specialists from around the country.
For 100 years, the American Lung Association has been the lead organization working to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. Lung disease death rates continue to increase while other leading causes of death have declined. The American Lung Association funds vital research on the causes of and treatments for lung disease. With the generous support of the public, the American Lung Association is “Improving life, one breath at a time.” For more information about the American Lung Association or to support the work it does, call.800.LUNG.USA (800.586.4872) or visit www.californialung.org or www.lungusa.org
