Florida Epidemic Intelligence Service Program: The First Five Years, 2001-2006
- Ragan, Patti PhD, MPH
- Rowan, Alan DrPH, MPA
- Schulte, Joann DO, MPH
- Wiersma, Steven MD, MPH
aFlorida Epidemic Intelligence Service, Florida Department of Health Bureau of Epidemiology, Tallahassee, FL
bCurrent affiliation: Health Access and Tobacco, Florida Department of Health, Tallahassee, FL
cCurrent affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
dCurrent affiliation: Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Address correspondence to: Patti Ragan, PhD, MPH, Florida Epidemic Intelligence Service, Florida Department of Health Bureau of Epidemiology, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #A-12, Tallahassee, FL 32399; tel. 850-245-4406; fax 850-413-9113; e-mail <[email protected]>.
The authors thank D'Juan Harris, MSP, Geographical Information Systems Specialist, for the development of Figure 3.
SYNOPSIS
The Florida Epidemic Intelligence Service Program was created in 2001 to increase epidemiologic capacity within the state. Patterned after applied epidemiology training programs such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Epidemic Intelligence Service and the California Epidemiologic Investigation Service, the two-year postgraduate program is designed to train public leaders of the future. The long-term goal is to increase the capacity of the Florida Department of Health to respond to new challenges in disease control and prevention. Placement is with experienced epidemiologists in county health departments/consortia. Fellows participate in didactic and experiential components, and complete core activities for learning as evidence of competency. As evidenced by graduate employment, the program is successfully meeting its goal. As of 2006, three classes (n=18) have graduated. Among graduates, 83% are employed as epidemiologists, 67% in Florida. Training in local health departments and an emphasis on graduate retention may assist states in strengthening their epidemiologic capacity.