| 
View
 

Open Forum Presentations (redirected from Focal Point Call Schedule)

Page history last edited by TB PEN Technical Advisor 2 months, 1 week ago

2026 Open Forum Presentations


6/3/26 


TB Molecular Drug Susceptibility Data 

Open Forum Notes

Molecular DST Training for RVCT and NTIP PowerPoint

Multidrug Resistant TB Changes for 2025 Frozen Dataset Document

 

Description: 

The presentation focuses on TB Molecular Drug Susceptibility Data. This session will provide an overview of CDC’s Molecular Detection of Drug Resistance (MDDR) services, explain how to accurately capture molecular results in the RVCT, clarify data entry expectations, and describe how these data relate to NTIP goals and program evaluation/performance.



Presenters:

Angela Starks, PhD

Chief, Laboratory Branch
Division of Tuberculosis and Elimination
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Janná Murray, MS, MPH
Senior Microbiologist, Laboratory Branch
Division of Tuberculosis and Elimination 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 

Laura Young, MPH, CIC
Tuberculosis Epidemiologist

Division of Clinical Epidemiology
Virginia Department of Health

 

Sandy Price, BAM, BIT

Statistician

Division of Tuberculosis Elimination

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 

 

4/1/26

 

TB Testing Strategies for Persons Experiencing Homelessness: Implementation, Partnerships, and Lessons Learned  
 
Click here for Recording Link 

Description: 

This session will:

  • Describe the strategies, and processes used to conduct TB testing among people experiencing homelessness, including the use of mobile health units and on-site testing within shelters and other settings.
  • Highlight collaborative partnerships among public health agencies and key internal and external partners, and explain how these partnerships support outreach, testing, and follow-up care.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of testing approaches presented, including successes, challenges, and lessons learned.

 

Presenters:

Lauren Miller, MPH

Epidemiologist II Tuberculosis Program

Georgia Department of Public Health

Benjamin Yarn, B.B.A

Director, Tuberculosis Program

Medical and Clinical Services
Georgia Department of Public Health

Sophia Hsu RN, MSN, MPH

CDR, U.S. Public Health Service

Nurse Epidemiologist/Public Health Advisor

CDC | Division of TB Elimination

LA County Department of Public Health, TB Control Program

Nikola Strakova Lloyd, MPH

TB Response Lead Epidemiologist

Division of Global Populations and Infectious Disease Prevention

Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences

Massachusetts Department of Public Health


Michael Boyer, MS

Lead Refugee & Immigrant Health Epidemiologist

Division of Global Populations and Infectious Disease Prevention

Bureau of Infectious Disease & Laboratory Sciences

Massachusetts Department of Public Health

 

 

2/4/26
  
Managing LTBI as a Reportable Condition
 

Click here for Recording Link 

Open Forum Meeting Notes TB PEN Open Forum Notes Feb.4.2026.pdf

 

Description: 

The presentations will focus on the management of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) as a reportable condition. The presentations will describe:

  •   How the Program Obtains LTBI Information: An in-depth description of the methods and processes used to gather LTBI data, including the types of information collected.
  •   Surveillance and Data Collection Systems: An overview of the systems utilized for surveillance and data collection from various partners, ensuring comprehensive and accurate data management.
  •  Collaboration with Partners: A detailed explanation of how the program collaborates with both private and public partners to obtain LTBI information, highlighting the importance of these partnerships in effective



2025 Open Forum Presentations

 

8/6/25

Approaches and Ideas for LTBI Targeted Testing (TT)


Click here for Recording Link

 

Open Forum Meeting Notes 8.6.25 TB PEN Open Forum_Notes.pdf

 

Description: In this session, presenters will share their program's targeted testing activities. The presentations will cover targeted testing initiatives among individuals experiencing homelessness, as well as activities conducted in shelter facilities and various community settings. The presenters will highlight the methods they used to identify their target population and will share their approaches to conducting targeted testing with limited resources. This session aims to provide valuable insights and practical strategies that may benefit other programs.

  

Presenters:

Micah Nicole King, M.S.

Communicable Disease Supervisor

Office of Disease Surveillance

Southern Nevada Health District

Teresa Mark, MPH

Director of Outreach

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Bureau of Tuberculosis Control

 

Jeanne Sullivan Meissner, MPH
Director of Epidemiology
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Bureau of Tuberculosis Control

 


6/4/25

Using Power BI for Data Quality Assurance and Visualization


Click here for Recording Link


Presentation Slides Price_PEN20250604_NTSSPBI with notes.pdf


Open Forum Meeting Notes TB PEN Open Forum Meeting Minutes - June 4 2025.pdf  


Description
:
In this session, Sandy Price, a Statistician from the Division of TB Elimination, will explain how TB programs can use Power BI for data quality assurance. Sandy will also demonstrate how to view and download data in NTSS using Power BI and its application for data visualization. 

 

Presenter: 

 

Sandy Price, BAM, BIT

Statistician
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Department of Health and Human Services

 

 

4/2/25

Using Incentives and Enablers 


Link to Video:" target=""

Presentation Slides
April 2025 Open Forum_KyTBPC Using IE towards a patient's journey to wellness.pdf

 

PEN TB HOUSING PRESENTATION_final.pdf

 

Description: In this session, presenters will share how their TB program uses incentives and enablers and highlight how they are used in program evaluation activities.   

 

 

Presenters: 

 

Emily Goodwin, MPH

Epidemiologist II

Kentucky Department for Public Health

Division of Epidemiology and Health Planning

Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Program

 

Emily A. Anderson, BSN, RN

TB Program Controller/Manager 

Kentucky Department for Public Health

Division of Epidemiology and Health Planning (EPI)

 

Ana Delia Hernandez, LMFT, PsyD

Research Analyst II

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

 





2024 Open Forum Presentations

 

12/4/24

Data Communication and Storytelling for Health Promotion


Link to Download Video Recording: Dec 4 2024 TB PEN Open Forum Data Communication and Storytelling for Health Promotion.zip

 
Description: As public health professionals, data is at the core of much of our work. When it comes to communicating data, is your message getting through? Effective data communication can improve understanding, deepen trust, and move communities to take action. Creating understandable, accessible, and actionable data visualizations is a critical skill for public health professionals. Join Caroline Hoffman, MPH, to learn about effective data visualization and storytelling with data from a communications professional. Topics will include: Tips and tricks for creating data visualizations; tailoring content for your audience; best practices for storytelling with data; and using data visualizations to humanize and simplify complex public health information.

Presenter:

Caroline Hoffman, MPH

Environmental Health Communications Manager, RIDOH

 

 

 

10/2/24

Release of the 2030 National TB Performance Targets

 

Copy of Presentation Slides: 2030 National TB Targets Release_NCHHSTP Presentation for PEN_final_cleared.pdf

*Note. There is no link to a video recording for this presentation

 
Description: In this session, CDC’s Division of TB Elimination Health Scientist Erin Thomas will discuss the updates to the 2020 National TB Performance Targets. The presenter will share background information regarding the national TB performance targets, the method used to update the performance targets, and release of the 2030 targets. 

Presenter:

Erin Thomas, PhD

Program Evaluation and Health Economics Team 

Data Management, Statistics, and Evaluation Branch

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 

 

8/7/24

National Tuberculosis Indicators Project (NTIP)


Click here for Recording Link: 

 
Description: In this session, CDC’s Division of TB Elimination Health Scientist Eva Trinh will discuss the National TB Indicators Project (NTIP). The presenter will share background information regarding the development of NTIP, provide a general overview of the type of information included within NTIP, and conduct a question-and-answer session addressing the questions that our TB PEN members have submitted. 

Presenter:

Eva Trinh, PhD, MPH

Program Evaluation and Health Economics Team 

Data Management, Statistics, and Evaluation Branch

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

  

 

6/5/24

NYC ‘s Bureau of TB Control Disease Investigation and Case Management Team Addresses Increase in TB Cases in 2023
 

Video Recording Linkhttps://centersfordiseasecontrol.sharefile.com/public/share/web-sa00595e804c54b03b803a5f1c1d77ebb

Description: In this session, a presenter from the New York City’s Bureau of TB Control Disease Investigation and Case Management (DICM) Team will share how their team identified and addressed an increase in TB cases in 2023. Their efforts included TB patient education, treatment support, contact investigations, and the use of electronic directly observed therapy. The presenter will share the details of their efforts, barriers, outcomes, and lessons learned.


Presenters:

Christine Chuck, MPA

Director, Disease Investigation & Case Management

Bureau of Tuberculosis Control

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

 


4/3/24
Best Practices in Data Completeness for RVCT Variables
 
Video Recording Link: 
 https://centersfordiseasecontrol.sharefile.com/public/share/web-s38ca409c83c44f0f97fc83d2852cc1a1


Description
: During this session, a presenter from Nevada’s TB program will provide an overview of how their state program tracks the 2020 version 3 RVCT variables and how they attempt to get variables completed in a timely manner.  We will also have a second presenter from the CDC’s Division of TB Elimination who will provide an overview of how to accurately report on the RVCT information regarding reportable/countable cases and risk factors (which include occupation and industry and some of the new risk factors).  This overview will help address gaps participants may have when reporting this information.

 

Presenters:

Robert Pratt

Data Scientist

Surveillance Team, SEOIB
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 

Susan McElhany

Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health 

Tuberculosis Program

 


2023 Open Forum Presentations

12/6/23

The Use of Social Media and How to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Individual Programs

Video Recording Link: https://centersfordiseasecontrol.sharefile.com/public/share/web-sf6e1185ab2d2404db60ff963f8c24cfe


Description: The use of social media is increasing among individuals and organizations. Social media can be a powerful tool for sharing health communications campaigns, promoting awareness, and disseminating valuable information regarding a program’s efforts. During this session, presenters will share the methods they’ve used to access and evaluate various public health social media campaigns.   They will also share best practices and any barriers they’ve encountered.

Presenters:

Kevin Crooks, MPH 

Health Communications Specialist

Division of HIV Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 

Fernando Beltran

Chief Executive Officer

Identika, LLC

 

Sondra Dietz, MPH, MA

Research and Communications Specialist

Arlington County Public Health Division

Community Health Protection Bureau

 

 

6/07/2023 


Transitioning Focus from One Indicator to Another

Video Recording Link: https://centersfordiseasecontrol.sharefile.com/public/share/web-sc4e061e546374b0eb3f21b10c0a09321


Description
: Kentucky’s program staff proudly shares their experience developing a program evaluation plan and how they exceeded a national TB indicator and transitioned to focusing on a new indicator for their PE Plan.


Presenter:

Charlie Rhea, MPH 

Former full-time Epidemiologist for KY TB Program 2018-2022, currently part-time EPI as he completes his doctoral program at Vanderbilt University.

  Former KY PE Focal Point

  Former Board member of NTCA/Society of Epidemiology in TB Control

 

 

2/01/2023

Evaluation in Practice: Measuring TB Campaign Impact  

Presentation Link:  https://centersfordiseasecontrol.sharefile.com/public/share/web-sd0da635477094d78a51cf2a7e8b20960

 

Description: Members of the Northern Virginia TB Elimination Taskforce share the evaluation of their community engagement initiatives which resulted in the creation of a community engagement toolkit. The team will share their approach, lessons learned, and recommendations for TB Programs. 


Presenters:

Emily Astorga 

Public Health Nurse Senior
Alexandria Health Department

 

 

Sondra Dietz
Research and Communications Specialist
Arlington County Public Health Division


2022 Open Forum Presentations

 

12/7/2022 

Michigan’s Experiences Using Incentives & Enablers 

Presentation Link:  https://centersfordiseasecontrol.sharefile.com/public/share/web-sf088b045e8d148748263f39fd73b1b31

 

 
Description: Presenters share their experiences implementing program incentives and enablers in Michigan's TB program. 


Presenters:

Peter Davidson, Ph.D.
Tuberculosis Control Program Manager
Communicable Disease Division
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services


Claire Berlin, MPH

Tuberculosis Public Health Consultant

Michigan Department of Health Human Services

 

 

 

10/5/2022 
Implementing and Improving Targeted Testing and Treatment: LTBI Presentations by State and City TB Programs 

Presentation Link:  https://centersfordiseasecontrol.sharefile.com/public/share/web-s789140e9518144e697a2f32f6722feb0

 

Description: Presenters share the successes, barriers, and lessons learned from the targeted testing activities implemented within their jurisdictions.

Presenters:
Emily A. Anderson, BSN, RN
TB Controller/Program Manager
Division of Epidemiology and Health Planning
Kentucky Department for Public Health

Co-Presenting:
Jane C. Tingley,
Latent Tuberculosis Infection Epidemiologist
Division of Clinical Epidemiology
Virginia Dept. of Health
&
Amanda Khalil, MPH, BSN, CIC 
Nurse Consultant
Division of Clinical Epidemiology
Virginia Department of Health 

 

 

8/3/2022
Practical Evaluation:  Getting Big Returns on A Modest Investment in M&E

 

Presentation Link:  https://centersfordiseasecontrol.sharefile.com/public/share/web-s92e983ffc2ca44e8ac0dd267423660ae

Description: 

Many people fear evaluation (and -planning) because they set a gold-standard high bar for these processes and assume that nothing short of that will do any good. In reality, evaluation (and planning) are ways of THINKING about your efforts and how to improve them, and not a single designated magic formula.  The approach and the level of rigor required vary with every situation, and so often, a little bit goes a long way. AND/OR the earliest steps in the evaluation process can yield the most benefit.  

In this session, Tom Chapel, CDC’s former Chief Evaluation Officer, will introduce some key principles—based on steps in CDC’s Evaluation Framework---to help you right-size your approach to evaluation.  Doing so means you’re more likely to take the “leap” into evaluation, see it as something you can do or oversee competently, and, most importantly, ensure that the time spent pays off in insights you can use to make your program more effective.

 

Presenter Tom Chapel was CDC’s first Chief Evaluation Officer from 2011 until his (semi) retirement in 2020. But even before that---since 2001-- he was helping CDC programs and partners build their capacity to do better evaluation, performance measurement, and strategic planning from various perches within CDC’s Office of the Director. And before that as a Vice President at Macro International (now ICF) since the late 1980s. Tom was involved in planning, performance measurement, and evaluation issues at the national level as well. A popular keynote speaker, facilitator, and trainer nationally, Tom was a Board member of the American Evaluation Association, where he also won the Myrdal Government Evaluation Award in 2013. In retirement, Tom continues his evaluation and planning work as a guest researcher at CDC, a Fellow at the CDC Foundation, and as a prob-bono consultant for dozens of nonprofit organizations. 

 

2018 Presentations

 

February 7th Presentation:
Using Genotyping in proactive surveillance, whole genome sequencing.  Overview by CDC and then a State's example of use of genotyping in surveillance. 
Presentation- Whole-genome sequencing for investigation of recent TB transmission in the US: Current uses and future plans

                         Sarah Talarico, PhD and Benjamin Silk, PhD; Surveillance, Epi, and Outbreak Investigations Branch

                         WGS and TB Training.pdf

 

 


2017 Presentations

April 5th Presentation:

A Novel Assessment of Patients’ Knowledge and Priorities Regarding LTBI Treatment Initiation and Completion

 

June 14th Presentations:

Linelist Presentation 20170614.pdf

TB PEN Line List Example_6.14.17.pdf

 

August 10th Presentations:  ETN TB Education and Training Projects: Updates from the Field Webinar

 

 

 

 

October 4th Presentation:

    • Dr. Kimberly Carter will be presenting her paper, 'Improved Latent Tuberculosis Therapy Completion Rates in Refugee Patients Through Use of a Clinical Pharmacist' TB PEN Presentation 10.4.17_SLIDES.ppt

 

December 7, 2017 Presentation:  1-2pm Eastern Time 

    • Joint with ETN on LTBI Surveillance and Reporting, Andy Tibbs, Epidemiologist for Massachusetts   This webinar will be recorded and archived for those that can't make the live event. For your convenience, a link to the recording will be cross-posted here soon.

 

Focal Point Call Notes

 

 

 

 

 

Comments (1)

Justina Novak said

at 1:17 pm on Feb 2, 2017

If you have suggestions for topics please let the Steering Committee know.

You don't have permission to comment on this page.