An Untapped Resource: Opportunities for Collaboration with

1. An Untapped Resource: Opportunities for Collaboration with Graduate Student Epidemiology Response Programs LT Erin Koers, LCDR (IRC) Kristy Murray & LCDR (IRC) Robert Emery USPHS Scientific and Training Symposium San Diego, CA - May 24, 2010

2. Two problems… • Deficit in resources and infrastructure for epidemiologic surge capacity1,2 • Need to diversify epidemiologic training programs One solution… Graduate Student Epidemiology Response Programs (GSERPs) 1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2003: Assessment of the epidemiologic capacity in state and territorial health departments—United States, 2001. MMWR 52: 1049-1051. 2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2005 Assessment of the epidemiologic capacity in state and territorial health departments—United States, 2004. MWR 54(18) : 457-459.

3. Objectives • What is a GSERP? • GSERPs: past, present & future • GSERP activities • How to get involved

4. The University of Texas School of Public Health - SEIS

5. What is a GSERP? Student organization Surge capacity for local health agencies Rapidly mobilized & trained volunteer force Training, education & response activities

6. The Many Faces of GSERPs • Number of members • Training requirements • Role of faculty, staff & students • Partnerships • Funding

7. Mutual Benefits of GSERPs Students BenefitsAgency Benefits • Gain field experience • Practical training & mentorship • Community service • Supplement academic education • Explore applied public health careers • Network with health department staff • Low cost • Surge capacity • Outbreak investigations • Mass immunizations • Other short-term projects • Ties to academic institutions • Recruit future employees

8. GSERPs Around the Country (14) • New York – New York City • North Carolina – Chapel Hill • Ohio – Columbus • Oklahoma – Oklahoma City • Pennsylvania – Pittsburgh • Texas – Houston • South Carolina – Columbia • Arizona – Tucson • Connecticut – New Haven • Georgia – Atlanta • Maryland – Baltimore • Massachusetts – Boston • Michigan – Ann Arbor • Minnesota – Minneapolis

9. GSERPs: Past, Present, & Future • Past • Started in the 2000’s • Many supported by CDC-funded Centers for Public Health Preparedness (CPHPs) • Present • Currently 14 GSERPs • Development of new GSERPs around the country • Funding ending • Future • National GSERP Working Group • Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) • Academic Institutions • ???

10. GSERP Activities • Education • Guest lecturers • Local protocols • Training • Public health skills • Classroom, hands-on & field-based exercises • Response • Outbreak response • Emergency response • Community assessments

11. Training • Rapid Assessment Methods • Overview of Epi-Info • Surveillance • Outbreak Investigation • Interviewing • Confidentiality • Risk Communication • Physical Readiness • Mass Screening • History and Consequences of Bioterrorism • Emergency Operations Management

12. Training • Development of the public health workforce • Students are the future public health workforce • Knowing local public health infrastructure • Opportunities for public health workers • Strengthening local public health infrastructure • Inter-agency and inter-disciplinary collaboration • Maximizing resources

13. Training = trained volunteers • Rapidly mobilized, trained, volunteer force • Emergency response activities • Outbreak investigations • Mass screening / distribution campaigns • Data management and analysis • Other public health agency activities

14. Meningococcal outbreak at local university

18. Syndromic Surveillance in SheltersHurricane Katrina Evacuees – Houston, TX

23. Getting Involved • Contact your local School of Public Health or GSERP program • Contact other established programs • Start small • Maintain communication

24. Recruitment Opportunities

25. PHS Activities in Schools of Public Health • Site visit regarding “best practices” to increase familiarity with US PHS Commissioned Corps • Visits with targeted areas: • Schools of medicine, dentistry, nursing, public health • Awareness seminars and lectures

26. Supporting GSERPs • Take advantage • Mentorship • Support trainings • Give input on skills needed • Provide feedback on experience

27. Acknowledgements CDC • Laura Bettencourt , LT (University of Pittsburgh – SPHERE) • Shauna Mettee, LT (Emory University – SORT) • Randolph Daley, CAPT The University of Texas Health Science Center (SEIS) • Rebecca Bryson • Jamie Emert • Jane Montealegre

28. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

29. Thank you! Erin M. Koers, LT Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer Centers for Disease Control and Prevention EKoers@cdc.gov 770-488-5168 Kristy O. Murray, LCDR (IRC) Assistant Professor The University of Texas School of Public Health kristy.o.murray@uth.tmc.edu 713-500-9358 Robert J. Emery, LCDR (IRC) Associate Professor of Occupational Health The University of Texas School of Public Health robert.j.emery@uth.tmc.edu 713-500-9469