The volunteers formed two teams based on their specializations. The epidemiology team includes Ricky Camplain<\/strong>, assistant professor for the Department of Health Sciences and CHER, Meghan Warren<\/strong>, professor in the Department of Physical Therapy<\/a> and Athletic Training, Joe Mihaljevec<\/strong>, assistant professor in the School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems<\/a>, Brettania O\u2019Connor<\/strong>, assistant clinical professor in the Department of Health Sciences, and Crystal Hepp<\/strong>, assistant professor with NAU\u2019s School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems<\/a> and an affiliate researcher with NAU\u2019s Pathogen and Microbiome Institute<\/a>.<\/p>\n The disease investigation team includes Sabo, Nicky Teufel-Shone<\/strong>, professor in Health Sciences and associate director of CHER, Carol Goldtooth<\/strong>, community health educator for NAU\u2019s Native American Cancer Prevention<\/a>, Dulce Jimenez<\/strong> and Marissa Tutt<\/strong>, program coordinators for CHER, Omar Gomez<\/strong>, graduate research assistant at CHER, and Alisa Neel<\/strong> and Tessa McAninch<\/strong>, undergraduate students in public health.<\/p>\n The disease investigation team is helping with the county call center, which is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the week and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. The volunteers all have extensive experience with qualitative research, most are trained in epidemiology and biostatistics, and several speak either Spanish or Navajo.<\/p>\n Sabo said the NAU volunteers are working closely with Dr. Marie Peoples, COVID-19 incident commander and CCHHS manager, Matt Maurer, lead epidemiologist for the COVID-19 team, and Sarah Schildecker, division manager at Coconino County Public Health Services.<\/p>\n \u201cWe at the Center for Health Equity Research admire the incredible professionalism and humanity the Coconino County COVID-19 response team brings to the protection of our public\u2019s health,\u201d Sabo said. \u201cEach day, our NAU public health professionals\u2014including faculty, staff and students\u2014learn in earnest of the collective and tireless effort it requires to contain a community infection of this magnitude and to support our community members affected by this outbreak.\u201d<\/p>\n Peoples said the support from CHER has been instrumental in sharing the increased demand on their public health team.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Center for Health Equity Research at NAU has become an invaluable partner in Coconino County\u2019s response to the spread of COVID-19. As our epidemiologists and public health team have worked diligently to track the spread of this illness in our community, CHER has provided critically important additional staff to support in disease investigation and data management,\u201d Peoples said. \u201cAdditionally, CHER has agreed to support the county\u2019s efforts to utilize forecasting to establish a better understanding of the mid-range and long-range impacts that COVID-19 might have on our community and to develop a thorough planning document for our response.\u201d<\/p>\n SICCS volunteers worked with the county to create a secured system in which volunteers can help Coconino County public health experts conduct disease investigation without being exposed to COVID-19.<\/p>\n \u201cThey made it possible for NAU volunteers to contribute to a primary public health goal of disease surveillance from the safety of our own homes,\u201d Sabo said.<\/p>\n Sabo said the teams encourage everyone to protect \u201cfrontline public health workers\u201d by staying home, checking on older family members or neighbors and donating resources or skills to help the community.<\/p>\n \u201cNow is a good time for people to see how they can make a difference in their community,\u201d Sabo said.<\/p>\n If you have questions about COVID-19, visit Coconino County\u2019s website<\/a>, call (928) 679-7300 or email COVID19Information@coconino.az.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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