At a glance
Since 1986, the MCH Epidemiology Program (MCHEP) has assigned almost 50 senior CDC epidemiologists to field sites. Assignments focus on building epidemiological, data use, and evaluation capacity. Assignees also help their host site build and mentor their epidemiology workforce (e.g., fellows, interns, and junior staff).
MCHEP CDC Epidemiology Assignees
MCHEP works collaboratively with state, local, and tribal public health agencies to host assignees. Currently, nine CDC senior maternal and child health (MCH) epidemiologists are assigned to state health departments.
Places with MCHEP-Supported CDC Epidemiology Assignees—February 2024
Meet the Assignees and their Assignment Focal Areas
Connecticut—Katharyn (Kasia) Baca, PhD, MPH, MA
- Health equity
- Respectful maternal care
- Reproductive justice
- Substance exposure during pregnancy
- Birth defects
Hawaii—NaeHyung Lee, PhD
- Child health
- Adverse childhood experiences
Iowa—Debra Kane, PhD, RN
- Maternal and neonatal levels of care
- Risk-appropriate perinatal care
- Maternal care quality
- Maternal morbidity and mortality
- Culturally congruent doula care
Massachusetts—Susan Manning, MD, MPH
- Health equity
- Racial and ethnic disparities
- Performance and quality improvement
Nebraska—Erika Fuchs, PhD, MPH
- Health equity
- Maternal and child vaccination
- Infectious disease
- Preterm birth
- Lead poisoning prevention
Nevada—Ghasi Phillips-Bell, ScD, MS
- Preterm birth and infant mortality
- Safe infant sleep and breastfeeding practices
- Family planning
- Preconception health
- Performance and quality improvement
- Racial and ethnic disparities
- Congenital syphilis surveillance
New York—Blair Berger, PhD, MSPH
- Maternal morbidity and mortality
- Respectful maternity care
- Opioid use disorder during pregnancy
- Birth equity
- Family-centered NICU care
Oregon—Suzanne Zane, DVM, MPH
- Reproductive health
- Infectious disease
- Maternal morbidity and mortality
- Perinatal care quality
- Birth anomalies surveillance
- Early childhood health