Month: May 2019

Outstanding Teaching Assistant – Katie Labgold

Category : #WeAreEmoryEPI

Katie Labgold is a 2nd year Epi PhD student with Dr. Michael Kramer and was this year’s winner of the 2nd Annual Epidemiology Program Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award! Over half of the students in Katie’s lab section of Epi 591U (Applications of Epi Concepts) took the time to write about their appreciation for her efforts as their TA and to explain why she is deserving of this award.  Her name will be added to a plaque that will be hung in the Epidemiology Department, and each year a new name will be added.

We sat down with Katie this week to chat about her experience at Rollins:

Q: What are your research interests?

A: I’m interested in all things social, spatial, and reproductive epi! My current research interests include the application of epidemiological theory and methods to explore the socio-political determinants of family planning access and reproductive health outcomes. I am an incoming doctoral fellow with the Center for Reproductive Health Research in the Southeast (RISE) at Emory.

Q: What is it like to be a Teaching Assistant?

A: One of the best aspects of TAing 591U is that it is a two-way learning experience. I had a great set of students who were very engaged during our lab section. This allowed us to work through the concepts they found challenging, and in the process I gained a deeper understanding of the material. I think these concepts are critical to becoming a better epidemiologist (we didn’t have this class in my program), so it was a great experience to help facilitate our Emory epi students’ engagement with these topics.

Q: Are you going to TA again anytime soon?

I’ll be TAing spatial epidemiology with Michael in the fall, and I am very excited to TA this course for so many reasons, I don’t think I can list them all here! An exciting aspect of this course is the combination of spatial epidemiology thinking/theory with hands-on analysis in R – I’m getting excited just thinking about it!

Katie studied Archaeology and Chemistry during her undergrad at the University of Virginia, followed by an MPH in Population Health Research at UVa.


National LGBTQ Health Conference Volunteer Opportunity, 5/30-6/1

Emory University is the proud host of the National LGBTQ Health Conference May 30-June 1.  We have many opportunities for volunteers to help with the conference and would love to have you join us.

We would love to have the EPI Department out in full force!  This is great way to be able to attend some/all of the conference.

If you would like to volunteer, please sign up for specific times and duties by clicking HERE.  All opportunities are on a first come basis.  You’ll get a great shirt and if you volunteer during the days of the conference, you can stay for the other half to attend (no lunch though, sorry). Additionally, most of the volunteer spots during the conference will assign you to a room where you will get to watch all of the presentations.

Please sign up soon to make sure you have a spot.

Thanks in advance for your support and I hope to see many of you there.


HSR Lunch & Learn, 6/26

Category : News/Events

Please join us for the Health Services Research Center Lunch & Learn on Wednesday, June 26th in Emory SOM 153A from noon-1pm. Dr. Jordan Kempker, Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine, will present several case examples from his own research that highlight examples of the use of large national data analyses in health services research. This talk will highlight Dr. Kempker’s research trajectory of using large national datasets to examine health services themes in sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome to introduce more practical research advice on working with secondary analysis of large national datasets such as the National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and Healthcare Utilization Project datasets.

To receive lunch, you must submit the RSVP via the link below.

RSVP for lunch

ZOOM to view remotely


Research Analyst, United Hospital Fund of NY

Category : Alumni

United Hospital Fund seeks a passionate and engaged individual to join its Medicaid Institute, which produces research on health care policy, financing, quality, and redesign with a substantial focus on New York’s Medicaid program. This individual will conduct guided quantitative and qualitative analyses in collaboration with a team of program directors and analysts and transform these analyses into audience-friendly narrative and visual briefs, reports, presentations, and meeting materials. Examples of potential research areas include: Medicaid eligibility and enrollment, managed care, value-based payment, children’s health, primary care transformation, physical and behavioral health integration, long-term care, and health insurance markets.

We are looking for a self-starter with the ability to work well independently and in groups. Someone that’s flexible and collegial; creative and eager to help shape research ideas; willing to learn new skills and internal analytical tools; and motivated to actively participate in a dynamic and hardworking team-oriented environment with growth potential.

Day-to-day responsibilities include but are not limited to: creating internal source material on policy developments; analyzing quantitative data from primary and secondary sources and developing summaries and visual representations; planning for and participating in qualitative stakeholder interviews; conducting literature searches and reviews; planning for and staffing high-level invitational meetings and conferences; and drafting briefs and reports for publication.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

1. Collect timely, policy-relevant information from program administrators, researchers, and advocates by tracking websites and attending frequent meetings, conferences, conference calls, and webinars. Analyze and summarize information for internal stakeholders (emails, detailed notes, memos, tables, and charts).

2. Develop content expertise on assigned Medicaid policy topics and/or subpopulations (e.g., eligibility and enrollment, managed care, value-based payment, children’s health, primary care transformation, physical and behavioral health integration, long-term care, and health insurance markets).

3. Collaborate on tracking and analyzing state and federal Medicaid policy changes, as well as changes in care management frameworks and service delivery models. With guidance, assess the changes’ potential impacts on consumers, providers, health plans, and New York’s Medicaid program overall, by examining relevant metrics – enrollment, utilization, costs, quality, etc.

4. Identify and assemble quantitative data from primary and secondary sources (e.g., New York State’s Medicaid claims files, health insurance filings, hospital discharge databases, physician and facility databases, etc.). Analyze data using Salient Interactive Miner, Excel, and other statistical software. Collaborate on developing scope of research and methodology, and prepare and maintain data files.

5. Collaborate with Medicaid Institute colleagues to engage outside data providers on research questions, methodologies, and data analyses leading to collaborative publications.

6. Prepare materials, including literature summaries, data summaries, and graphics for publications, presentations, briefings, and UHF’s web and social media presence.

7. Develop semi-structured protocols and participate in qualitative interviews with health care stakeholders, including: senior state officials; representatives from health care providers, health plans, and community-based organizations; and consumer advocates. Capture and distill information for internal and external dissemination.

8. Provide other UHF research staff with input and assistance on quantitative and qualitative analyses for various program and policy projects.

9. Collaborate on meeting planning for small group roundtables and larger conferences. Conduct topic and speaker research and prepare background materials.

10. Draft internal memos, working papers, policy briefs, and reports for publication with primary and secondary authorship. Collaborate on adapting Medicaid Institute or interdepartmental UHF work for dissemination in a variety of forums – fact sheets, poster presentations, white papers, and academic journal articles.

Minimum Education and/or Experience Required:

– Master’s degree in health-care related field (e.g., public health, health policy and management, epidemiology, biostatistics) or related field with a health-specific interest (e.g., economics, public policy, public administration, law).

– Demonstrated interest in health policy and experience working with quantitative data (through training and/or professional experience) are required.

Knowledge and Ability:

Excellent writing, research, and analytic skills;
Ability to both discern broad themes and delve into complex detail;
Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
Able to work on several projects simultaneously and manage multiple ongoing responsibilities though strong organizational and prioritization skills;
Proficiency in Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint is required;
6. Basic experience with web-based tools for data collection and aggregation (e.g., SurveyMonkey), at least one statistical programming application (e.g., SAS, SPSS, Stata, R), and/or data mapping and visualization software (e.g., ArcGIS, Tableau) is preferred.

United Hospital Fund offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience combined with generous benefits, including health, dental, voluntary vision, life, and disability insurance; a tax-deferred annuity savings plan; paid time off; a commuting subsidy; collegial environment.

Required documents:

· Resume

· Cover Letter

To apply, click HERE.


Epidemiologist II, Maryland Health Department

Category : Alumni

Location of Position
MDH/Prevention and Health Promotion Administration, Baltimore, Maryland

Main Purpose Of Job
This position will conduct statewide epidemiological investigations of violent death incidents. This position will also participate in the prevention and control of these injuries in Maryland. Furthermore, this position will serve as the Program Epidemiologist for the Maryland Violent Death Reporting System (MVDRS).

Finally, this position will track the progress of data collection activities, as well as generate written reports and analyze the MVDRS data, while maintaining the quality of such data.

Minimum Qualifications
Education: A Master’s degree in the field of Public Health from an accredited college or university, with a minimum of three graduate courses in Epidemiology and one graduate course in Biostatistics.

Experience: Two years of experience in designing and conducting epidemiological studies and investigations for disease surveillance as an Epidemiologist, after receipt of the Master’s degree.

Note: Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a Commissioned Officer in Health Care Science classifications or Clinical Lab, Medical Scientists, or Bio Medical Lab Officer specialty codes in the health research field of work, on a year-for-year basis, for the required education.

Desired or Preferred Qualifications
The desired candidate should have experience managing and analyzing data, as well as experience using Statistical Analysis Software (SAS).

Selection Process
Applicants who meet the minimum (and selective) qualifications will be included in further evaluation. The evaluation may be a rating of your application, based on your education, training and experience, as they relate to the requirements of the position. Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.

Please report all related education, experience, dates, and hours of work. Clearly indicate your college degree and major on your application, if applicable. For education obtained outside the U.S., any job offer will be contingent on the candidate providing an evaluation for equivalency by a foreign credential evaluation service prior to starting employment (and may be requested prior to interview).

Complete applications must be submitted by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be added.

Incorrect application forms will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Candidates may remain on the certified eligible list for a period of at least one year. The resulting certified eligible list for this recruitment may be used for similar positions in this, or other, State agencies.

To apply, click HERE.


Health Scientist Administrator (Program Officer and Scientific Review Officer)

Category : Alumni

Summary
Join one of the 24 Institutes and Centers within the NIH that awards extramural grants! Extramural grants account for approximately 80 percent of NIH’s budget and are awarded to investigators at more than 2,500 universities, medical schools, and other research organizations around the world. To learn more about the grants process, types of grant programs, and the peer review process, visit the website for the Office of Extramural Research.

Responsibilities
This announcement will be used to fill the following positions within the NIH:

Health Scientist Administrator (Program Officer)
As a Health Scientist Administrator (Program Officer), you will perform the following tasks:

Perform scientific and administrative reviews and analyzes of applications/proposals from a programmatic viewpoint.
Consult with and advise grantees/contractors during preparation of applications/proposals and provide guidance on program issues.
Develop, coordinate and administer grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts established to fulfill the mission of the Branch and Division.
Visit universities, research institutions, commercial organizations, other government agencies, and public and private organizations to promote and explain the objectives of the program.

Health Scientist Administrator (Scientific Review Officer)
As a Health Scientist Administrator (Scientific Review Officer), you will perform the following tasks:
Provide policy direction and coordination for the planning and execution of initial scientific and technical review conducted within the Institute.
Utilize scientific knowledge and expertise to perform a variety of management functions associated with the scientific peer review of IC research and research training support activities and other contract activities.
Manage the initial scientific and administrative review of grant, program project grant, and training grant applications as well as research project applications submitted in response to requests for applications.
Appoint and manage review panels, including the identification of qualified reviewers to evaluate all applications and proposals and make any recommendations from IC and NIH program officials, to assemble a balanced group of experts and consultants.
Act as the sole Federal official and agency representative by guiding the activities of a review committee and ensuring continuity in their approach toward evaluating applications, proposals, and adherence to peer review policies and procedures.
Travel Required
25% or less – You may be expected to travel for this position.

To apply, click HERE.


Health Scientist Administrator

Category : Alumni

Summary
Join one of the 24 Institutes and Centers within the NIH that awards extramural grants! Extramural grants account for approximately 80 percent of NIH’s budget and are awarded to investigators at more than 2,500 universities, medical schools, and other research organizations around the world. To learn more about the grants process, types of grant programs, and the peer review process, visit the website for the Office of Extramural Research.

Responsibilities
This announcement will be used to fill the following positions within the NIH:

Health Scientist Administrator (Program Officer)
As a Health Scientist Administrator (Program Officer), you will perform the following tasks:

Perform scientific and administrative reviews and analyzes of applications/proposals from a programmatic viewpoint.
Consult with and advise grantees/contractors during preparation of applications/proposals and provide guidance on program issues.
Develop, coordinate and administer grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts established to fulfill the mission of the Branch and Division.
Develop, coordinate and administer grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts established to fulfill the mission of the Branch and Division.
Visit universities, research institutions, commercial organizations, other government agencies, and public and private organizations to promote and explain the objectives of the program.

Health Scientist Administrator (Scientific Review Officer)
As a Health Scientist Administrator (Program Officer), you will perform the following tasks:
Provide policy direction and coordination for the planning and execution of initial scientific and technical review conducted within the Institute.
Utilize scientific knowledge and expertise to perform a variety of management functions associated with the scientific peer review of IC research and research training support activities and other contract activities.
Manage the initial scientific and administrative review of grant, program project grant, and training grant applications as well as research project applications submitted in response to requests for applications.
Appoint and manage review panels, including the identification of qualified reviewers to evaluate all applications and proposals and make any recommendations from IC and NIH program officials, to assemble a balanced group of experts and consultants.
Act as the sole Federal official and agency representative by guiding the activities of a review committee and ensuring continuity in their approach toward evaluating applications, proposals, and adherence to peer review policies and procedures.

To apply, click HERE.


Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Training, 6/27

Category : News/Events

In-person Class • June 27, 2019 • 8:30am-1pm CT • Jackson, MS

Presented by: Lily’s Place, A Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Center
Lily’s Place executive team aims to train professionals and practitioners on the occurrence, symptoms, and complexities of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). In addition to medical and therapeutic information regarding infants with NAS, Lily’s Place will detail the role of behavioral health support and services for families and caregivers. Lily’s Place is currently piloting a program for the state of West Virginia which allows mothers to room in with their infant while at Lily’s Place – the findings and expected outcomes of this program will be expanded upon during training presentations.

Note: This is an in-person class held in Jackson, MS.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

Define Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS).
Explain symptoms, occurrence, identification, statistics (state specific and nationwide), treatment, and potential long-term effects.
Explain the crucial role a family plays in the well-being of each infant.
Give examples of behavioral health services provided by Lily’s Place.
Explain best practices for family support.
Provide an overview of the Lily’s Place model. Include information regarding contracts with managed care companies (billable income) and development efforts (fundraising).

To register, click HERE.


Children’s Environmental Health: More Than Smoke and Mold, 6/13

Category : News/Events

Training Description
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 1 in 4 child deaths could be prevented by cleaning up the environment. Because of their developing bodies and minds, children can be at greater risk of harm to environmental toxicants than adults. This broadcast will provide information on common sources of environmental hazards in the air, water, and even in our homes and schools. Viewers will learn how to offer evidence-based, practical advice to families, schools, and communities to promote a healthy environment.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

Describe the unique vulnerabilities of early life to environmental exposures and threats, and how these can predispose the child to later life disease.
Describe the top environmental health issues relevant to children, and children and families at greatest risk.
Identify actionable environmental health messages to use in clinical practice.
Identify resources to support healthy environments where clinicians provide care for children and families.
Identify resources to support healthy environments where children live, learn, and play.

To register, click HERE.


Vaccine Preventable Disease Outbreaks and Challenges in Vaccination, 6/3

Category : News/Events

Training Description
This webinar will describe recent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, explore trends in national vaccination rates, and discuss challenges in vaccination. The webinar also describes findings from CDC audience research, tips for communicating with parents, and CDC resources for healthcare professional education and parent education.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

Describe a recent vaccine-preventable disease outbreak.
Summarize common questions that parents ask about vaccines.
Identify immunization communication resources for healthcare professionals and parents

To register, click HERE.


Upcoming Events

  • Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Seminar Series March 28, 2024 at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Seminar Series Event Type: Seminar SeriesSeries: Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Seminar SeriesSpeaker: Jie Chen, PhDContact Name: Porchia Coleman-ArnoldContact Email: Porchia.Arnold@emory.eduRoom Location: CNR PLAZA - Rollins AuditoriumTitle: Retrospective detection of multiple change points: Methods and Applications
  • Humphrey Fellows Noontime Seminar Series March 28, 2024 at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Networking and Guest Lecture and Meeting and Special Event and Student Event; zoom.us… Online Location: https://zoom.us/j/95325531576Event Type: Networking,Guest Lecture,Meeting,Special Event,Student EventSeries: Noontime SeminarSpeaker: Various Speakers - see details by dateContact Name: Kris ValerianoContact Email: kvaleri@emory.eduRoom Location: RRR_R809Link: https://sph.emory.edu/departments/gh/fellows/humphrey-fellows/index.htmlFellows will present on a topic pertaining to their home country, culture and/or their work in public health.Deb Mcfarland Room, 8th floor RRR.3.28: Abeselom Gutta, MD &Yeshoda Aryal, MPH4.11: Ola Ziara,…
  • Emory Farmers Market Stroll April 2, 2024 at 11:00 am – 1:30 pm Networking and Special Event Event Type: Networking,Special EventContact Name: Staff CouncilContact Email: rsphstaffcouncil@emory.eduLace up your sneakers and join the RSPH Staff Council for a refreshing walk to the Emory Farmers Market. Grab lunch, support local businesses, and stay as long as you like. Meet between RRR and O. Wayne Rollins Buildings at 11 AM to walk over as a…

Follow Us on Social Media: