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.

Michigan Center for Infectious Disease Threats

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

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

Ryleigh Emelander, MPH

Marketing and Communications Coordinator

Mariana Quinn, MPH

Evaluation Coordinator

Our Advisory Board Members

  • Karla Black, Kent County Health Department
  • JoLynn Montgomery, University of Michigan, University Health Service
  • Carrie Anglewicz, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, Bureau of Labs
  • Jessie Jones, Michigan Public Health Institute 
  • Lisa Peacock, Public Health Consultant
  • 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
  • Brad Carlson, University of Michigan, Michigan Center for Infectious Disease Threats and Pandemic Preparedness
  • Jeff Jones, Michigan Primary Care Association
  • Renee Calkins, Michigan Center for Rural Health
  • Catalina Picasso, Michigan State University, College of Veterinary Medicine
  • Jennifer Morse, Central Michigan District Health Department, Mid-Michigan District Health Department, District Health Department #10
  • Sara Stoddard, Oakland County Health Division
  • Alan Malesky, Great Lakes Bay Health Centers
  • William Nettleton, Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department, Calhoun County Public Health Department