An Untapped Resource: Opportunities for Collaboration with G G raduate S S tudent E E pidemiology R R esponse P P rograms LT Erin Koers, LCDR (IRC) Kristy Murray & LCDR (IRC) Robert EmeryLT Erin Koers, LCDR (IRC) Kristy Murray & LCDR (IRC) Robert Emery USPHS Scientific and Training SymposiumUSPHS Scientific and Training Symposium San Diego, CA - May 24, 2010San Diego, CA - May 24, 2010

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

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

The University of Texas School of Public Health - SEIS

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

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

Mutual Benefits of GSERPs  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 Students Benefits Agency Benefits

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

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 ???

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

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

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

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

Meningococcal outbreak at local university

Syndromic Surveillance in Shelters Hurricane Katrina Evacuees – Houston, TX

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

Recruitment Opportunities

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

Supporting GSERPs  Take advantage  Mentorship  Support trainings  Give input on skills needed  Provide feedback on experience

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

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.

Thank you! Erin M. Koers, LT Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Kristy O. Murray, LCDR (IRC) Assistant Professor The University of Texas School of Public Health Robert J. Emery, LCDR (IRC) Associate Professor of Occupational Health The University of Texas School of Public Health