FIELD OFFICER

CAPT Margaret Riggs Previous PHS Positions Associate Director for Science, Preparedness and Response (O-6 Supervisory Billet), Division of HIV/TB, CDC-Zambia Office, U.S. Embassy, Lusaka, Zambia, 2015-2019. Accomplishments and Impacts: • Led USG technical assistance and organized CDC support to the Government of Zambia; coordinated 10 CDC subject matter experts in epidemiology, mass vaccination, water & sanitation, laboratory confirmation, case management and response to provide assistance to successfully end a cholera outbreak affecting over 5900 people with 114 deaths Cholera Epidemic — Lusaka, Zambia, 2017–2018 • Designed and directed a Rapid Response Team training program in collaboration with WHO and the ZNPHI, training over 350 frontline public health and clinical health workers, including the Zambia Ministry of Defence and point of entry staff in border provinces with Democratic Republic of Congo during the 2018 Ebola virus disease outbreak; served as liaison for USG assistance in Zambia • Led CDC-Zambia through three successful interagency negotiations with strategic information in the PEPFAR-Zambia 2016 - 2018 Country Operational Plans and received approval for budgets averaging $387 million from the Office of Global AIDS Coordinator in Washington, DC to improve health outcomes, increase program sustainability and integration, and strengthen health systems in Zambia. • Guided USG support and technical assistance in collaboration with the multinational cooperating partners to build and strengthen the Zambia National Public Health Institute that most recently successfully served as the lead Government of Zambia agency responsible for organizing the public health response efforts during the 2017-2018 Cholera Epidemic and preparedness for the DRC Ebola outbreak 2018. • Ensured financial support and oversaw the Zambia FETP through successful program completion of 14 residents in the Advanced and 30 residents in Level One programs. • Advised CDC-Zambia data collection process and prepared release of the results on World AIDS Day 2016 for new Populationbased HIV Impact Assessments in Zambia. This survey demonstrates tremendous progress towards achieving epidemic control: confirming reductions in incidence, measuring high population viral load suppression, and demonstrating that persons who report knowing they are HIV-infected are likely to be accessing treatment with successful viral load suppression. • Represented CDC at high-level events with the US Embassy, WHO, and the Government of Zambia; advised the Minister of Health while also serving on national level technical working groups. • Provided technical assistance and support to the Government of Zambia during a cholera outbreak affecting over 1000 people in April – May 2016 and an anthrax outbreak affecting over 50 people who consumed hippopotamus meat in July – October 2016. • Served as acting Country Director numerous times during leadership absences, overseeing a CDC Country Office of 72 staff and a $120 million budget. • Advised the Ministry of Health on the development of a strategic workplan and allocation of a $3 million CDC-funded budget for the newly created Zambia National Public Health Institute and guided their activities to develop a Public Health Emergency Operations Center as Zambia builds its position as a Regional Collaborating Center for the new Africa CDC. Supervisory Epidemiologist (O-6 Supervisory Billet), Career Epidemiology Field Officer (CEFO) Program, Field Services Branch, Division of State and Local Readiness, Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response, CDC, Atlanta, Ga, 2012-2015. Accomplishments and Impacts: • Supervised all 35 CEFOs in 2014 and served as an acting deputy in the Field Services Branch for three months as the only supervisor in the Branch when there was staff turnover • Led a multidisciplinary Responder Safety and Health workgroup of federal and non-federal partners for an integrated approach to coordinate creation a planning template disseminated nationwide. • Served as acting branch chief for Field Services Branch Dec 1, 2014 – Jan 20, 2015. • Led the Field Services Branch field staff through an organizational change for six months as the new branch was formed and the CEFO Program moved into the Division of State and Local Readiness. • Developed five new CEFO assignments in collaboration with states and territories that had not recently hired a CEFO; recruited and hired six new CEFOs to fill the new and old vacancies. • Led development and first time use of an electronic quarterly reporting system by CEFOs to document activities, role played, accomplishments, publications, and presentations in an efficient and timely process. • Created a quarterly and annual summary to report CEFO activities to internal and external stakeholders thus improving information sharing and building awareness of the CEFO Program activities nationally. • Led the Core Competency Assessment of all CEFOs using the CSTE/CDC applied epidemiology competency tool and supervised a Research Fellow to create a novel preparedness competency tool with results summarized to inform training curriculum for improved CEFO professional development. • Led 2 research fellows in the development of a plan to evaluate the scientific, programmatic and technical impacts of the CEFOs in their assignments that will serve as a model for other CDC programs. • Co-led developing a written summary report of the accomplishments and goals of the CEFO Program and presented the response to a Board of Scientific Counselors review of the scientific merit of the program. • Co-led the Epidemiology and Surveillance Subcommittee for the Division of State and Local Readiness Technical Assistance Steering Committee to develop a portfolio of resources in response to request for assistance requests that provides a concise tool for use by CDC project officers, as well as state, local and territorial health departments nationwide. • Initiated the formation of a multidisciplinary 8-person team for the Leadership Management Institute who collaborated to improve dissemination of public health tools, documents, guidance, and publications. • Initiated innovative idea to improve communication with CEFOs nationwide by incorporating videoconferencing technology into monthly meetings and led a planning workgroup. • Invited to train over 30 public health and medical students at University of Michigan in community assessments through a creative scenario and coordinated their deployment to KY for tornado response. • Invited to train over 40 public health professionals and MRC volunteers in Connecticut for community assessment methodology& conducted full scale exercise that built capacity to deploy assessment teams. Career Epidemiology Field Officer (O-5 Billet), Career Epidemiology Field Officer Program, Office of Science and Public Health Practice, Coordinating Officer of Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response, CDC assigned to the Kentucky Department for Public Health, Frankfort, KY, 2007-2012. Accomplishments and Impacts: • Consultant for epidemiologic surveillance of 2009 novel H1N1; served as an Operations Section Chief for the KY Department for Public Health (KDPH) Department Operations Center (DOC) assisted with plans for mass vaccination, developed guidance in cooperation with state OSHA for use and protection of PPE resources for hospitals throughout KY, developed guidance for the public on the use of facemasks and respirators, developed guidance for use of PPE among health care workers. • Deployed for 2012 KY Tornado Outbreak: served as Operations Section Chief for KY Dept for Public Health Operations Center/led 2 teams of over 40 public health staff to conduct rapid community assessments in 2 regions devastated by tornados/co-led disaster related injury surveillance. • Led exercise training for 40 environmentalists on KY Environmental Health Strike Teams to better organize and direct deployments by establishing plans and procedures for activation, training, deployment and demobilization that was recognized with a NACCHO Best Practice Award and has been utilized for recruitment, retention and development of strike teams. • Led community assessments in 2 underserved KY regions funded by first successful $1.1 million grant application for Healthy Homes/Lead Hazard Control project from US Housing/Urban Development with KDPH. • Led and coordinated a collaborative training for 10 state, 30 local and 150 USPHS officers in Paducah, KY in May 2011 that included: mass casualty functional exercise with over 100 patients, pet sheltering functional exercise with 25 patients, Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response for 420 homes, 20 preparedness assessments of ancillary health care facilities, 20 shelter assessments at buildings of opportunity, shelter assessment training for 50 individuals, long term care facility preparedness forum for 30 individuals, evaluating evacuation plans and training for 20 child care facilities. • Initiated and led Healthy Homes Assessment training conducted by USPHS officers for 36 staff in Eastern KY. • Provided epidemiologic expertise to lead outbreak investigations with 32 cases of multi-drug resistant Acinetobactor health care associated infection, 40 cases of shigella toxin producing E. coli, 184 cases of cryptosporidium, 260 cases of shigella, investigation of potential asbestos contamination in a rural community, hot tub folliculitis at a lake resort, MRSA exposure in schools and daycares and nationwide food recalls. • Led Responder Safety and Health Capability development. • Initiated and led community assessment survey in Dec 2010 using Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response sampling methodology for a Health Impact Assessment regarding coal gasification plants to be built near a Western Kentucky community. • Organized and led a statewide initiative in 2011 to evaluate state foodborne outbreak investigation methods by comparing to Guidelines from the Council to Improve Foodborne Outbreak Response (CIFOR) and successfully applied for a grant to complete this training for over 30 epidemiologists, environmentalists and public health subject matter experts to include developing a table top exercise for foodborne outbreak during disaster response. • Led a team of 10 local environmental health officers and 3 USPHS engineers to conduct sanitation assessments of on-site septic systems and served as a liaison with the state, LHD and FEMA JFO as well as HHS Region IV Emergency Coordinators for two flooded areas with over 300 homes in Pike County following severe flash flooding. • Subject matter expert for designing and implementing surveillance activities during the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup races in Sparta, KY and the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY. • Initiated, led and organized shelter surveillance for 210 shelters throughout KY, organized and trained Environmental Health Strike Teams, served as a liaison and consultant for the state Health Commissioner and Governor’s Offices during the Winter Storm in Feb 2009 • Initiated, led and organized the development of an Outbreak Investigation Manual, Training and Full-Scale Exercise for state and local health department staff in KY. • Initiated, led and organized a workgroup to develop a plan to increase the capacity within the Environmental & Epidemiology Divisions to utilize GIS software and GPS technology at the KY Dept for Public Health. Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer (O-4 Billet), Industrywide Studies Branch, Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH., 2005-2007. Major Accomplishments: • Conducted an epidemiologic field investigation of health effects associated with exposure to mold in flood-damaged homes in the greater New Orleans area • Implemented and evaluated hospital illness and injury surveillance system initiated by CDC in the greater New Orleans area following Hurricane Katrina • Initiated and coauthored an article on urgent/emerging public health issues, Morbidity Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), discussing worker safety during a hurricane response • Initiated and developed a medical surveillance form for evacuation center workers and facilitated its quick review and posting on the agency website • Invited to co-lead an MMWR article on mold and respiratory health effects in New Orleans following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita • Initiated study on effects of circadian rhythm disruption on menstrual cycle patterns among flight attendants • Published a manuscript describing characteristics of flood-damaged homes in New Orleans. • Co-authored four articles on the hurricane disaster in New Orleans. Related Professional Activities CDC Institutions of Higher Education Liaison, School Fieldwork Unit, COVID-19 Response, CDC EOC Virtual, 2020-2021. Deployed to the CDC EOC September 2020 to present to develop and oversee Mask Adherence Observation surveillance at Colleges and Universities Project (MASCUP!) across the U.S to improve mitigation strategies among those under 25 years of age nationally. CDC Mitigation Implementation and Technical Assistance Liaison, COVID-19 Response, CDC EOC Virtual, 2020. Deployed to the CDC EOC for 5 months to provide specialized technical assistance to state health commissioners, governor’s offices, state, local and territorial health departments regarding mitigation strategies and the nuances of the CDC guidance to apply to their jurisdictions Contact Tracing Trainer, COVID-19 Response, CDC EOC, Kayenta, AZ, 2020. Deployed to Navajo Nation for 3 weeks to streamline contact tracing and train IHS healthcare employees and Navajo Nation public health staff on the processes for effective contact tracing during the height of the surge of cases in April and May of 2020. Zambia National Public Health Institute Ebola Rapid Response Team Training, directed the training for over 400 public health, military and border point of entry staff in 10 provinces to prepare Zambia to prevent, detect and respond during the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 2018 - 2019 Exercise Director, Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Response, Anniston, AL, 2014-2015. Deployed to the CDC EOC and to the training facility in Anniston, AL to serve as a trainer for the CDC course, Preparing Healthcare Workers to Work in Ebola Treatment Units in West Africa. CDC developed the course within one month to respond to request from the White House to properly train Americans who were deploying to help with the 2014 EVD Outbreak in West Africa. Consulted for surveillance, outbreak investigations, emergency preparedness and response and environmental health issues Acting Territorial Epidemiologist, US Virgin Islands Department of Health, St. Croix, USVI, 2011. Responsible for responding to all public health communicable disease inquiries to the territory. Build a notifiable disease surveillance system. Assist with meeting the national requirements for public health preparedness Surveillance Lead, Haiti Earthquake Response – Support of the HHS Incident Response Coordination Team, Public Health Branch, 2010. Deployed to the Haiti earthquake response within one week of the disaster. Consulted for surveillance, outbreak investigations, emergency preparedness and environmental health issues Field Epidemiology Trainer, co-led an epidemiology, outbreak and surveillance course for 12 physicians and veterinarians, Afghan Public Health Institute, Kabul, Afghanistan, 10 days, 2009 Adjunct Professor at University of Pikeville Invited lecturer at: University of Kentucky, University of Florida, Eastern KY University, University of Zambia RDF-3 Preventive Medicine Branch Director 2009- 2015 Reviewer, Defense Program for Health Services Research Funding Opportunity Announcement, 2019 Reviewer, CDC/DGHT Objective Review Panels for HIV Funding Opportunity Announcements, 2016-2018 Reviewer, CDC Shepard Awards, 2012-2015 Reviewer, SciPAC Awards 2011 - 2013 and 2017 - 2018 Editorial Review Board Member, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2006-2009 Editorial Review Board Member, Public Health Reports, 2006-2012

PHS Awards/Honors • COVID-19 Pandemic Campaign Medal for fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, pending • Outstanding Unit Commendation for serving on COVID-19 Response Assistance Field Team (CRAFT), pending • Global Health Campaign Medal for fighting the HIV epidemic and improving public health under PEPFAR, pending • Unit Commendation for successful efforts to plan and execute 2018 USPHS Symposium in Dallas, TX, Oct 2018 • Unit Commendation for successful efforts to plan and execute 2017 USPHS Symposium in Chattanooga, TN, 2018 • Outstanding Unit Citation for outstanding leadership, unwavering dedication, and personal sacrifice which saved countless lives and prevented a global catastrophe during the Ebola outbreak, December 2016 • Unit Commendation for their successful efforts to plan and execute the 2014 USPHS Symposium Category Day activities and presentations, August 2016 • Outstanding Unit Citation for exemplary public health support during the humanitarian emergency response during the surge of unaccompanied children crossing the Southwest US border, July 2016 • Presidential Unit Citation for USG response to the Ebola outbreak, June 2016 • Unit Commendation for providing critical medical screening and vaccinations for hundreds of children in support of the UAC mission, June 2016 • Unit Commendation for superior dedication and outstanding leadership by promoting the National Prevention Strategy (NPS) through the PACE Program in Atlanta, GA, Dec 2015 • Unit Commendation for excellence in augmenting Napa County's epidemiologic capacity and rapidly providing critical data regarding the health status of residents following the 2014 South Napa Earthquake, Nov 2015 • Unit Commendation for improving preparedness in the nation via a model in Connecticut through Disaster Epi-Strike Team training and development, June 2015 • Outstanding Unit Citation for providing medical care, shelter, and public health support for displaced citizens of New York and New Jersey during Superstorm Sandy, December 2013 • Unit Commendation for successful efforts to plan and execute the 2013 USPHS Symposium, October 2013 • Unit Commendation for leadership and insight in developing category specific plans for the National Prevention Strategy, January 2013 • Unit Commendation for successful efforts to plan and execute the 2012 USPHS Symposium, December 2012 • Commendation Medal for exceptional leadership in developing and executing CASPER community services, May 2012 • Unit Commendation for exemplary performance of rapid assessments of immediate public health needs following a flood in KY, March 2012 • Unit Commendation for successful efforts to plan and execute the 2011 USPHS Symposium, November 2011 • Unit Commendation for planning the first self-directed training by a USPHS team resulting in highly successful Operation Foothold, September 2011 • USPHS Responder of the Year Award, June 2011 • SciPAC Scientist Responder of the Year Award, June 2011 • Outstanding Unit Citation for rapid and significant relief to the citizens of Haiti as part of Haiti Earthquake Response Team, April 2011 • Commendation Medal for innovation and hard work to response efforts, recovery, and planning following 2009 KY ice storm, October 2010 • Outstanding Unit Citation for leading the Department of Health and Human Services’ prolonged response to the 2009 pandemic, September 2010 • Outstanding Unit Citation for CDC’s early and effective response to pandemic H1N1, April 2010 • Unit Commendation for rapid, efficient & effective assessment of public health needs during the Kentucky ice storms, November 2009 • Unit Commendation for planning successful category day programs during the 2009 USPHS Symposium, 2009 • Unit Commendation for demonstrating that disaster data collection can be effectively enhanced using handheld computers with GPS capability, February 2009 • SciPAC Junior Scientist Officer of the Year Award, June 2008 • Unit Commendation for collaborative effort in the development and implementation of activities related to the 2007 Symposium, Cincinnati OH, May 2008 • PHS Citation for dedication to duty while serving as an EIS Officer for NIOSH, October 2007 • Unit Commendation for the NIOSH Respirator Donning Investigations Team, June 2007 • Outstanding Unit Citation for 2005 Gulf Hurricanes Response Team, January 2007 • Crisis Response Service Award, Hurricane Sandy support missions, January 2014 • Response Service Award, leadership in Pike County Flood Response Disaster Engineering Team, June 2012 • Special Assignment Award, serving 60 days as the USVI Territorial Epidemiologist, pending • Global Response Service Award, 7.0 magnitude Haiti Earthquake, October 2010 • Crisis Response Service Award, 7.0 magnitude Haiti Earthquake, October 2010 • Crisis Response Service Award, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, January 2006. COA Offices Held or Membership on Board Committees Member, Atlanta COA, 2020 – present; 2010 - 2015 Member, Overseas COA, 2015 - 2019 Member, Cincinnati COA, 2006 – 2010 Position Statement It is my distinct pleasure to apply for the Commissioned Officers Association (COA) Board of Directors Field Representative. I believe my experience, passion for getting involved and desire to share the contributions made by Commissioned Corps Officers will greatly benefit COA. I have spent my career serving in field assignments and strive to promote the mission and goals of COA by increasing recognition of the critical role of the Commissioned Corps to our nation, strengthening membership and promoting community activities of local branches in all of the locations I’ve been assigned. As a prior service enlisted soldier in the US Army, I am fully supportive of the continuing transformation of the Commissioned Corps to be recognized as an elite uniformed service ready to meet the challenges of advancing public health. My current role as a CDC field liaison and the Healthy Communities Director for a non-profit organization, Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR), in Eastern Kentucky is a unique opportunity to advance the health and safety of the United States. In this role I serve as a subject matter expert for rural health and advocate for reducing health disparities. I work to identify key health issues that confront underserved rural areas and organize collaborative efforts to address them, provide leadership in the development and translation of scientific information to public health practice, develop integrated and collaborative projects working with universities, communities, other federal and non-profit partners to build and sustain healthy communities. I advise the SOAR Board of Directors on health- related matters and also serve on several workgroups and committees: CDC Rural Health Learning Community, Appalachian Food for Health Committee, Kentucky Diabetes Prevention Workgroup, Kentucky National Diabetes Prevention Program Workgroup, Kentucky River Health Consortium, Pediatric Healthcare Community Action Team, and the University of Kentucky Perinatal Assistance and Treatment Home Program Study Advisory Committee. While assigned overseas, I served as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the American Embassy Commissary and Recreation Association overseeing the support services at the embassy for recreation, tourism, special events, purchasing consumables, ensuring safe bus operation for school and airport transport and overseeing duties and salary of the commissary employees. I am a member or Rotary International where I am frequently requested to present on public health issues and always find ways to promote public health outside of work duties. I am invited annually by several universities to present on my career experiences and use these opportunities to represent and promote career opportunities in the Commissioned Corps. Recently I was invited to an appointment as an adjunct professor at the University of Pikeville to assist with their development of a global health curriculum. Current deployment during the COVID-19 response effort has allowed me to work with over 60 universities and colleges around the nation to monitor and promote mask use on campuses and encourage prevention strategies among students. This also provides an opportunity to advocate and educate the next generation of public health professionals about the value and critical role of the Commissioned Corps to protect US safety and health. I am very supportive of COA through promotion of public health and officer advocacy, mentorship, community service and working to increase membership. I have presented and participated in subcommittees for event planning for the USPHS Symposium since 2007 including being the lead for the planning and implementation of an all-category social event for the 2007 Symposium in Cincinnati and working to ensure Category Day events over the past 10 years are full of the latest scientific and technical topics, build esprit de corps with Officers in all categories and encourage post-conference events. I actively promote community events within local COAs to include founding the Prevention through Active Community Engagement effort in Atlanta in 2013 and initiating and participating in Pen Pal Programs since 2005 as well as promoting social events and mentoring junior officers to encourage COA membership. I initiated community education events overseas by reaching out to local children and sharing with Ministries of Health the important contributions that a national uniformed public health service can make during emergency response efforts. I also have contributed to articles in Frontline about activities of local COA events. I would add value as a voting Director of COA by being a Field Representative to advocate for visibility of the Commissioned Corps, as well as enhancing communication and support for members throughout the entire membership. My experience in leadership positions, serving on other Boards of Directors and advocacy for field based assignments have prepared me for this position and I would appreciate the opportunity to commit my efforts as an officially appointed COA Board of Directors Field Representative. Thank you for your consideration. Margaret A. Riggs, PhD, MPH, MS CAPT, USPHS