Dr. Michael Vit and Dr. Karla Rihova were invited to visit Chicago by the Dean of the UIC/SPH from October 4-10, 2009. Executive Director of ICPHEP, Judy Munson worked with the UIC/SPH and Proffessor Seng at the John Marshall Law School as well as the Chicago and State Departments of Public Health to arrange their itinerary. Judy is also a dedicated member of the Prague Committee of CSCIP.

Dr. Vit is the Chief Public Health Officer and Vice-Minister of the Czech Ministry of Health. Dr. Rihova was the top public health management executive in the headquarters office in Prague but has just accepted the position of regional public health officer in Olomouc. Dr. Vit and Dr. Rihova have been most supportive of the transatlantic relationships which the International Collaborative has been building over the past several years. This was a very exciting moment for the International Collaborative for Public Health Emergency Preparedness (ICPHEP).