Williams-Hutchins Health Equity Award

1st Place: Tyrin Gamble

Project Title: Developing a Systematic Process for Identifying New Trends in Health Care Policy

Mentors: Kristin Brusuelas and Eileen Chappelle

Project Placement: CDC’s Office of the Associate Director for Policy and Strategy

Project Details: The Office of the Associate Director for Policy and Strategy (OADPS) aims to support CDC in its efforts to “protect America from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S.” Within OADPS, the Health care System Partnership (HSP) Team’s goal is to build CDC staff capacity in health policy and collaboration. Currently, members of the HSP Team are conducting literature scans to identify ongoing healthcare policy topics and trends as well as forecasting what is to come. Although efforts have been made to forecast trends in health care policy, an evaluation process for health care policy trends have not been identified, which showcases the need for further development. The purpose of Tyrin’s project was to develop a systematic process for identifying immersive topics or issues in health care policy. Creating a process for health care policy evaluation will help review health policy documents for important topics and key terms topics that can play a vital role in the next steps for CDC. To conduct this study, the methodology consists of four steps: literature review, national partner website review, interviews with CDC subject matter experts and OADPS staff, and compiling of the information gained from the study to develop a sustainable process for monitoring health policy topics. The results of this effort are the following: a systematic process for identifying key health care policy topics, improved capacity building in health care policy forecasting, and better support for collaborations related to health policy across CDC.

Honorable Mention: Tatiana Aguilar

1st Place: Paulina Pimentel-Mora

Project Title: Maintaining a Low COVID-19 Community Level

Mentors: Douglas Durley, Jr and Michrisha Eddins

Project Placement: Wayne County Health Department

Project Details: As a communicable disease (COVID-19) case investigator for the Wayne County Health Department, Paulina used the Michigan Disease Surveillance System (MDSS) and Patient Education Genius (PEG) – systems that allow case investigators to upload COVID-19 case data to the county database to aid other investigators in their tracking efforts and support CDC in obtaining general epidemiologic data. The two systems allowed Paulina as a case investigator, to upload COVID-19 case data to the county database to assist other investigators in their tracking efforts and support CDC in obtaining general epidemiologic data. Paulina interviewed individuals who had tested positive for COVID-19 and shared information and resources as needed. Paulina also created an employee case-investigating calendar for use by all case investigators.

1st Place: Anou Vang

Project Title: Addressing Mental Health Within Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in Higher Education

Mentor: Anthony Reyes

Project Placement: Community Health Councils

Project Details: Anou interned with Community Health Councils (CHC), a non-profit that has been at the forefront of systems change work to eliminate disparities in health and well-being. Today, CHC’s work falls under healthcare systems, economic resiliency, and community resiliency. They also run the Social Change Institute in partnership with community leaders representing non-profits, youth advocacy groups, community residents, and grassroots organizations to collectively build equitable systems and sustainable movements. Anou was instrumental in community engagement efforts and in the planning of an in-person summit. She was on the front line with residents, took the lead on several efforts, and always contributed valuable feedback. Anou’s health equity group was responsible for facilitating a group discussion on the topic of Mental Health and Substance Use as it relates to public health. Alongside her peers, she presented on the topic as well as co-hosted a panel of professionals working in the field of mental health and harm reduction. Her group health equity project, presented at the CDC Showcase, explored solutions to improve the mental health within Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in higher education settings.

Honorable Mentions: Monia Zein and Adeline Rosales

Williams-Hutchins Health Equity Award candidates will be evaluated and selected by their program based on one of the following criteria:

• Exceptional performance, including work factors such as quality, productivity, timeliness, cost reduction, or improved service to the public
• Exemplary actions, including special projects, overcoming unusual or difficult circumstances, or problem-solving using extraordinary methods or insight
• Efficient and courteous service, unusual initiative in developing new approaches or procedures, innovations that improve effectiveness, creative work on a specific project, efforts beyond the call of duty and beyond the scope of the position.

The announcement of Williams-Hutchins award recipient(s) occurs at the end of the summer experience.

Each award recipient receives a certificate. Their project is highlighted on the Office of Health Equity webpage and in the Health Equity Matters Newsletter the following fall, prior to the announcement of the CUPS summer application deadline.

For questions about the Williams-Hutchins Health Equity Award and criteria, please contact omhhe@cdc.gov.