Over a 16-year CDC career, this epidemiologist helped respond to global emergencies, build surveillance systems, and support violence prevention efforts that improved public health in communities around the world.

A CDC public health advisor reflects on a career spent breaking down program silos, turning data into action, and leading high-impact operations—from STD clinics in the early HIV epidemic to a a $92 million/month operation at a federal Emergency Intake Site for unaccompanied migrant children.

This CDC scientist spent more than three decades helping protect children from paralysis. Work advancing PCR testing, genetic sequencing, and global laboratory training informed vaccination strategy in 131 countries and helped drive wild poliovirus to the brink of eradication.

From executive correspondence at the CDC Director’s office to running the Media Campaign Resource Center, this communications pro connected states to evidence-based media strategies—supporting campaigns that helped more than a million people quit smoking.

A national STI prevention campaign helped drive major increases in testing among young people—demonstrating the power of research-informed communication. This CDC health communication leader designed and led evidence-based campaigns on HPV, sexual health, Ebola, Zika, and COVID-19, combining behavioral science, strategic partnerships, and rapid translation of data to reach millions and strengthen public health efforts in the U.S. and abroad.

This public health leader built systems that strengthened outbreak response, workforce training, and strategic planning nationwide. During COVID-19, this CDC professional helped streamline emergency grant distribution—processing hundreds of awards in days instead of months—to ensure states, tribes, and communities received critical resources when they needed them most.