The Los Angeles County Medical Association Alliance landed two prominent positions on the California Medical Association Alliance board for 2006-07. Elizabeth "Ting" Kurihara was elected vice president of county leadership and Karen O'Connell was named member-at-large trustee. Both Kurihara and O'Connell have been members of LACMA Alliance for nearly 20 years.

As vice president of county leadership, Kurihara will be training and mentoring Alliance presidents throughout the state. Her job is to help chapter leaders assess their weaknesses and achieve their yearly goals.

"I will assist chapter presidents in boosting membership, organizing community events and discovering their brand," Kurihara says. "I will provide support to the leaders and most of all, motivate their chapter to have fun."

In her new role, O'Connell will be supervising and encouraging CMA Alliance members who don't belong to a local chapter. She will support their efforts to stay involved in the statewide movement.

"With both Karen and Ting on the state board, we will have ongoing contact with Los Angeles and will keep up with their successes and challenges," says Debbi Ricks, CMA Alliance vice president of membership.

O'Connell currently serves as president of LACMA Alliance and Kurihara holds the position of vice president of health promotions.