Public Health Students Selected for CDC Training Program

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 28, 2011) − Two doctoral students at the University of Kentucky College of Public Health have been selected for the 2011 Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), following their graduation from the Doctor of Public Health program this spring. The EIS is a prestigious two-year post-doctorate training program that provides on-the-job training for health professionals interested in the practice of applied epidemiology.

Charlotte Baker from Lawrenceville, Georgia and Keisha Houston from Detroit, Michigan were selected from a pool of over 500 applicants, for the 50 member class. Prior to acceptance, Baker and Houston went through a day long interviewing process with CDC officials to match their career goals, interests and strengths with CDC program needs and opportunities. The students will go through a second interviewing-matching process in April, with other members of the cohort, to determine their assignments. Assignments may be with local, state or national public health organizations affiliated with CDC, or with organizations around the world with relationships with the federal agency.  

Baker's research interests include sports injury epidemiology and applying research to solve real-life problems.  As Baker searched for a school to pursue her doctorate, she said UK came up over and over for offering an emphasis on applied public health.

"I also felt the small size of the college and the intensive work with the professors and the family atmosphere offered what I wanted."

Houston's goal is to work in the area of chronic disease prevention and control, as a federal senior-level epidemiologist. "Ultimately, I would like to work with U.S. government policy-officials to promote and protect the public's health as it pertains to chronic disease," she said.

Houston received her master's degree at the UK College of Public Health and then worked at the Detroit Public Health Department as an epidemiologist with the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Program for three years and with the Bureau of Substance Abuse for two years.

"I don’t think I could have picked a better school to receive my terminal degree," Houston said. "I like UK, the faculty and what the College of Public Health stands for. The faculty and staff at the College of Public Health are exemplary of true public health leaders and the Doctor of Public Health curriculum and classroom training are designed to prepare us for public health leadership as well."

"Charlotte Baker and Keisha Houston are outstanding students who produce a first rate product for every task they are assigned," said Wayne Sanderson, professor and chair of the Department of Epidemiology at the UK College of Public Health. "I believe these young women will be great contributors to our field and valuable colleagues. The skills they will develop through the EIS fellowship will set them on the path towards greater accomplishments in the field of public health."

Dr. Stephen Wyatt, dean of the College of Public Health, who like Sanderson was a career Commissioned Officer at CDC prior to joining UK, added,

“What a great opportunity for these two individuals. The EIS program is rich in history, having produced many national and international public health leaders over the years. It is a tremendous post-doctoral training experience. Charlotte and Keisha will benefit from the experiences and over their careers will value the opportunity. For the UK CPH to place two individuals in the 2011 cohort is simply amazing; we are so pleased that our graduates are viewed so well nationally.”