Beyond the traditional role of nurses in hospitals and clinics, nurses at CDC and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) work to help improve and protect the nation’s health. They have diverse backgrounds and skills that allow them to work as researchers, educators, managers, analysts, directors, and more.

Polly A. Marchbanks, PhD, MSN, BSN (CAPT USPHS), is a nurse-epidemiologist working in CDC's Division of Reproductive Health and was a former EIS Officer. CAPT Marchbanks was recently recognized for her superior accomplishments toward research and training in applied epidemiology in the field of reproductive health, and in particular, studies related to fertility epidemiology. She was one of the recipients of the 2007 William C. Watson, Jr., Medal of Excellence, the highest honor bestowed by the CDC and ATSDR. Marchbanks believes nursing is an excellent foundation for epidemiology. She comments, "My nursing background helps me view epidemiologic issues more holistically, and it helps me be a compassionate epidemiologist who can more easily see the faces behind the statistics."

Mary I. Lambert, MN, RN (CAPT USPHS), was recently named Chief Management Official for CDC's Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response. She has primary oversight and responsibility for all programs that comprise CDC's terrorism preparedness and emergency response portfolio. She worked on multiple deployments in the District of Columbia, including those related to the September 11, 2001 events and the Capitol area anthrax exposure event. Her career thus far has included assignments within the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Veteran's Affairs, Department of Defense, private sector, and the White House. Lambert says she regards nursing as "the firm foundation for my achievements."

Lilia Ponce Manangan, RN, MPH, is currently an epidemiologist with the Division of Tuberculosis (TB) Elimination. She recently published the findings of a study on costs incurred by health departments in managing suspected TB patients. She analyzes data from the national TB surveillance system to monitor TB trends, especially among Asian/Pacific Islanders, to help reduce the disproportionate burden of TB in minorities in the United States. She is also the project officer of the National Surveillance of Severe Adverse Events Associated with Treatment of Latent TB Infection. Manangan attributes her nursing knowledge and skills to her ability to adapt very well to new environments and challenges throughout her 25-year career at the Indian Health Service and CDC.

Michele Hlavsa, RN, MPH, is an epidemiologist in the Division of Parasitic Diseases. She focuses on recreational water (i.e., water in swimming pools, spas, lakes, rivers, or oceans) and healthy swimming. She collaborates with state and local public health partners in investigating outbreaks of recreational water illness (gastrointestinal, dermatological, respiratory, and other illnesses that are spread by swallowing, breathing, or having contact with contaminated recreational water). She also studies the number of annual swimming visits in the United States and the reasons why people continue to swim while ill with diarrhea. She and the team also try to identify factors contributing to the two plus-fold increase in reported cases of cryptosporidiosis over the last few years. Her nursing background gives her a clearer understanding of the clinical aspects of epidemiological investigations, allowing her to more effectively collect and analyze data. Hlavsa comments, "My nursing background helps me look at the complex, multi-dimensional issue of healthy swimming from a holistic perspective."

Safe Water Team: From left to right, Amy Parker, MSN, MPH (LCDR USPHS), Pat Riley, CNM, MSN (CAPT USPHS), and Rob Quick, MD (CAPT USPHS). Photo by Greg Knobloch.

Pat Riley in front of a CARE sign; CDC collaborated with CARE-Kenya on the project. Photo by Amy Parker.

Amy Parker with Kenyan children holding bottles of the chlorine disinfectant used to treat drinking water. Photo by Charles Komolleh (a Kenyan on the CARE-Kenya team).