DEPARTMENT: Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Dawn Emerick, EdD
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Approving an application for the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, Applied Epidemiology Fellow Program
SUMMARY:
This Ordinance ratifies the submission of one application to the Council for State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE), Applied Epidemiology Fellowship, and authorizes the assignment of one Fellow in the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health) for a two-year period beginning July 2020, and authorizes the Director of Public Health to execute all necessary documents. This position will be 100% funded by CSTE.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists implemented the Applied Epidemiology Fellowship program in 2003 to train public health professionals in applied epidemiology and strengthen applied epidemiology capacity within public health institutions at local and state public health departments. The two-year program recruits and trains qualified candidates to support public health initiatives and provide opportunities for new epidemiologists to expand their skills to a level where they function as competent epidemiologists with little or no supervision. Each year, the program hosts 20-25 Fellows. Fellows are matched to a state or a local health agency based on their interests and available host site positions. The Applied Epidemiology Fellowship program provides an opportunity for recent masters or doctoral level graduates in epidemiology or a related field to gain experience in public health practice at the state or local level.
In September of 2019, the 2020 Council for State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE), Applied Epidemiology Fellowship Host Site Application opened and closed on November 18, 2019. Metro Health submitted an application to host a 2020 CSTE Fellow, and on December 16, 2019, the department received notice that the application was approved by CSTE as a potential host site.
This Ordinance will allow a Fellow to work in Metro Health’s Epidemiology Program to conduct disease investigations and review current epidemiology processes. The Fellow will be available to assist with the delivery of public health services to the community, such as STD/HIV, TB, and Public Health Emergency Preparedness, as well as assist the department in performance improvement initiatives and public health accreditation efforts. This would be the 1st year that Metro Health hosts an Applied Epidemiology Fellow.
The CSTE Applied Epidemiology program provides a salary paid directly to the assignee while they complete their two-year field assignments at the health agency. Benefits, including health insurance, vacation, and sick leave, are also paid by CSTE. Metro Health will use existing resources to provide the required office space, equipment and associated project-based support, supervisory and mentoring time, and assessment of the assignee’s professional development.
ISSUE:
In an effort to support public health initiatives and receive assistance from recent masters or doctoral level graduates in epidemiology or related field, Metro Health is requesting that City Council ratify the submission of an application to the Council for State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE), Applied Epidemiology Fellowship.
In late October of 2019, the candidate application for the 2020 Council for State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE), Applied Epidemiology Fellowship opened and closed on January 17, 2020. CSTE will interview top candidates in March and will match Fellows with host sites from April to May. Upon successfully matching with a Fellow, Metro Health requests City Council authorize the assignment of one Fellow in Metro Health for a two-year period beginning July 2020.
Metro Health has identified a need for individuals recruited through the CSTE Fellowship and wishes to take advantage of this opportunity to obtain skilled workers that will assist in critical areas within the department at no cost to the City. The Fellow will be available to assist with the delivery of public health services to the community, such as STD/HIV, TB, and Public Health Emergency Preparedness, as well as assist the department in performance improvement initiatives and public health accreditation efforts.
ALTERNATIVES:
If the application submission is not authorized, Metro Health will not be eligible for the services of a trained CSTE Applied Epidemiology Fellow to assist in key services within the department at no cost to the City.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance ratifies the submission of an application to the Council for State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE), Applied Epidemiology Fellowship, authorizes the assignment of one Fellow in the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District for a two-year period beginning July 2020, and authorizes the Director of Metro Health to execute necessary documents. This ordinance will be funded by CSTE and will have no impact to the City’s General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of an Ordinance ratifying the submission of an application to the 2020 CSTE Applied Epidemiology Fellowship to serve as a host site to a highly qualified and trained CSTE Fellow at no cost to the City and authorize the assignment of said CSTE Applied Epidemiology Fellow in Metro Health for a two-year period beginning July 2020.