Who We Are

Public Health Prepared is the workforce development and public health practice branch of the broader Michigan Center for Infectious Disease Threats & Pandemic Preparedness (MCIDT) initiative, funded by the University of Michigan.

We are housed within the Epidemiology Department at the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

Our Goals

Advance the practical application of MCIDT research findings

Engage the public health practice community to inform potential research initiatives

Train, organize, and connect those working in infectious disease emergency preparedness and response in Michigan and the region

Our Focus Areas

Public Health Prepared focuses on building knowledge, skills, and abilities to address emerging, or reemerging infectious diseases (e.g. COVID-19, Zika, Ebola, Measles), communicable diseases (e.g. Hepatitis C, Influenza), and outbreak investigations.

Training content draws upon existing frameworks, models, and competency sets such as those defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH), Public Health National Center for Innovations (PHNCI), Council on Linkages Between Academia and Public Health Practice (COL), and de Beaumont Foundation (dBF).

Our Team

LAURA POWER, MD, MPH

Director

ABRAM WAGNER, PHD

Co-Investigator

Photo of Phoebe Kulik

PHOEBE KULIK, MPH, CHES

Senior Director of Workforce Development

DANY ZEMMEL, MPH

Training and Engagement Senior Manager

STOREE HARRIS, MPH, CHW, CWDP

Project Coordinator

Seth Neeley, MEd

Instructional Designer Senior

Photo of Ryleigh Emelander

Ryleigh Emelander, MPH

Marketing and Communications Coordinator

Photo of Mariana Quinn

Mariana Quinn, MPH

Evaluation Coordinator

Our Advisory Board Members

  • Cindra James, Emergency Preparedness Consultant
  • Karla Black, Kent County Health Department
  • Norm Hess, Michigan Association for Local Public Health
  • JoLynn Montgomery, Lead Epidemiologist, University Health Service, U-M
  • Sandro CintiMichigan Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease
  • Marty Soehnlen, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services Bureau of Labs
  • Jessie Jones, Michigan Public Health Institute 
  • Mark Hamed, Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac, Tuscola and District Health Department #2
  • Jay Fiedler, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services
  • Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services
  • Lisa Peacock, Public Health Consultant
  • Jeff Jones, Michigan Primary Care Association
  • Catalina Picasso, Michigan State University School of Veterinary Medicine
  • Renee Calkins, Michigan Center for Rural Health

Take a look at our year in review!

Public Health Prepared: A Program of the Michigan Center for Infectious Disease Threats and Pandemic Preparedness July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023 MOST-VISITED WEBPAGES: 1. Homepage; 2. Collaborations; 3. Training & Resources. 5 New Blog Posts; 288 views. Most Viewed Posts: 1. What is Public Health Surveillance and Why is It Useful? 2. Individualized Emergency Responses Matter: An Introduction to CASPER 3. How Do We Keep Track of Communicable Disease Surveillance? 791 New Users 1,380 Total Users Social Media Metrics: Twitter (X): 9,571 Impressions; LinkedIn: 39 New Followers; Facebook: 68.2% More Page Views, Newsletter Metrics: 831 New Subscribers; 1,405 Total Subscribers