Florida Epidemic Intelligence Service

Goals & Opportunities

Are You Eligible for the FL EIS Fellowship?</strong

• Persons with a master's or doctoral degree in public health (e.g., MPH, MSPH, PhD, or DrPH) or in a similar health-related field. Preference will be given to those who have completed their degree within five years of the application deadline and those with an epidemiology or a related qualifying degree and coursework completed at an institution accredited by the Council of Education for Public Health (CEPH)
• Taken at least one course in epidemiology and one course in (bio) statistics during graduate or professional school.
• Need a strong interest in applied epidemiology and a commitment to a career in epidemiology in Florida.
• U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers are eligible to apply. The FL EIS Program is unable to provide VISA sponsorship.

Application Materials

All the items listed below must be submitted to the FL EIS Program during the application period and will not be considered outside of the application period.

• Complete the Florida Department of Health Job Application once the position is posted.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV): Please note this is more than just a standard resume and should include additional details such as research, publications, professional presentations, awards, and other relevant academic history along with the standard resume sections.
• References: Please provide the name, title, agency of employment, email address, and direct phone number of three professional references.
• Personal Statement: A narrative, no longer than two pages, which addresses the following questions:
  • What are your career plans after graduating from the FL EIS Program? Why?
  • How will the FL EIS Program help you fulfill these plans?
  • How will the FL EIS Program complement your previous training and experience?
  • Is there any aspect of public health that is particularly interesting to you? Why?
  • How will you contribute to the goals of the FL EIS Fellowship Program? (Please see the description in the posted job announcement).
• Transcripts: Submit transcripts from the school from which you received your highest degree and for any school from which you received public health training (e.g., MPH, MSPH, DrPH, PhD). Copies of your official transcripts are acceptable during the application process. An unofficial printout from the student system is not acceptable. If chosen for the fellowship, official sealed transcripts must be provided. For Foreign Schools: If transcripts are not issued by a U.S. institution, proof of degree completion must be submitted and accompanied by a credential verification document. This may be accomplished by submitting coursework documents to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This evaluation must include evaluation of coursework and verification of the degree. A list of private organizations prepared by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) is available at NACES.org.

The Florida EIS Fellowship has transformed the landscape of public health practice in Florida. Through rigorous training, real-world fieldwork, and a commitment to service, FL EIS Fellows have become trusted leaders in epidemiology. Their work has directly influenced policy, improved outbreak response, and improved health across the state. The program’s alumni continue to shape public health at local, state, and national levels—demonstrating the enduring value of investing in the next generation of epidemiologists.

2020-2025
Alexander Condis, Saresa Thomas Ford; Jeremy Adams, Mohammad Alak, Nikki Coble, Adrian Kinkead, Taylor Kwiatkowski, Mark Pagnotto, Parnia Roghani, Richard Santiago Jr., Michelle Slawinski, Alexis Bell, Emily Dougherty (Kostek), Bernie Kloppenburg, and Virginia Warren

2015-2019
Nushrat Alam, Ellen Dugan, Ashley Joseph, Briana O’Sullivan, Danielle Rankin; Erika Cathey, Charlie Clark, Diana Connor, Eboni Crawford, Toni Hudson, and Meri Phillips.

2010-2014
Alazandria Cruze, Michelle George, Ben Klekamp, Jennifer Roth, Vincy Samuel; Amber Barnes, Michael Drennon, Jessica Fung, Pamela Mann, Holly Montejano, Tara Richardson, JoAnne Tellado, and Lea Wansbrough.

2004-2009
Taj Azarian, Paco Castellon, Catherine Kroll, Sericea Smith, Raquel Stephenson; Karen Alelis, Leah Eisenstein, Kimberly Fraser, Rebecca Lazensky, Anita Lewis, Kateesha McConnell, Erin O'Connell; Aaron Kite Powell, Nicole Basta, Sharlene Traynor, Sharlene Emmanuel, Patricia Ragan; Andre Ourso, Aimee Pragle, Dawn Ginzl, Maria Bonafonte, Kelly Grainger, Rodlescia Sneed, Maria Donnelly; Robyn Kay, Matthew Laider, Janet Hamilton, Jose Lojo, Kendra Johnson; David Atrubin, Jerne Shapiro, Edhelene Rico, Meghan Weems, Carmela Mancini, and Michael Lo.

Research and Scientific Contributions
National and State Conference Presentations:

• American Public Health Association (APHA)
• Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE)
• National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)
• University of Florida Emerging Pathogens Institute Research Day
• Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) Overdose Data to Action

Peer-Reviewed Publications:

• CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
  • Brodifacoum Poisoning
  • VIM-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa Outbreak
  • Tuberculosis Contact Investigation
  • Meningococcal Disease Case Investigation
• Emerging Infectious Diseases
  • Pertussis in a Preschool

Infectious Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Response

• West Nile Virus: Delayed mortality analysis
• Oropouche Virus: Travel-associated cases in Florida
• Rabies: Exposure trends during bat maternity season
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Norovirus: County-level outbreak investigations
• Foodborne Illness: Holiday buffet and outdoor event outbreaks

Emergency & Hurricane Response

• Staffing special needs shelters during and after hurricanes
• Conducting post-hurricane shelter surveillance
• Deploying and assisting with rapid needs assessments after hurricanes
• Investigating carbon monoxide poisoning reports
• Mortality analyses post-hurricane
• Leading and assisting with disease outbreaks after storms

Substance Use and Behavioral Health

• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and Substance Use: Impact on Florida high school students
• Opioid Overdose Surveillance: County-level data and interventions
• High-Utilizer Identification: Acute care service usage patterns

Innovative Tools and Data Systems

• ESSENCE-FL: Syndromic surveillance enhancements
• Online Survey tools: Foodborne outbreaks
• Social Network Analysis: Using R for public health insights
• GIS Mapping: Injury and illness surveillance across counties

Training, Education and Knowledge Sharing

• Webinars and Workshops:
  • Epidemiology Training Tuesdays
  • Florida Health GIS Showcases
  • CDC and National Syndromic Surveillance Program (NSSP) Community of Practice Calls and meetings
  • Waterborne and Foodborne Disease Workshops
• Publications and Guides:
  • Severe Asthma Syndromic Surveillance Factsheet
  • ACEs Monitoring Best Practices

Community and Cross-Sector Collaboration

• Local Partnerships: Behavioral health intervention teams, health care facilities, emergency medical services, animal control, mosquito control
• Local Health Departments: Cross-county outbreak responses
• National Partnerships: CDC, ASTHO, NACCHO

Impact Snapshot

• 100+ presentations, posters, and webinars
• 25+ peer-reviewed publications and technical briefs
• 35+ counties engaged in surveillance and response
• 75+ fellows trained and mentored