TB Notes Newsletter
No. 2, 2011
Dear Colleague:
We were saddened to learn of the death of Dr. David J. Sencer, the longest-serving director of CDC (from 1966 to 1977), who died on May 2 at Emory University Hospital. Dr. Sencer was a giant of public health, making wide-ranging changes and improvements to public health since he became assistant director of CDC in 1960. Two of his major contributions were to the eradication of smallpox and the founding of the school of public health at Emory University. Dr. Sencer started his federal service with the Tuberculosis Division, and always remained interested in our progress towards the elimination of TB in the United States. Please see the item about his life and work in the Personnel Notes section.
Kathryn Koski, MS, MPH, was selected as the Associate Director for Management and Operations (ADMO) for DTBE. She was selected among a highly competitive group of 20 qualified applicants. She officially assumed this role on February 27; we are delighted to have her here.
A number of important conferences are held each year in the spring and summer. The 15th annual conference of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD), North American Region, convened February 24–26 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The theme for this year’s conference was “Engaging Vulnerable Populations.” The program featured world-renowned experts speaking in plenary sessions devoted to such topics as tuberculosis and indigenous populations, tuberculosis and diabetes, and novel diagnostic tools. Information about presentations given at the meeting can be found at http://www.bc.lung.ca/association_and_services/union.html
The 60th annual Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) conference was held April 11–15, 2011, in Atlanta. EIS is a postgraduate on-the-job program of service and training in applied epidemiology. Every year DTBE is fortunate in having success at these conferences, not only in the outstanding presentations given by our current EIS officers, but also in our recruitment efforts for new EIS officers. Please read Maryam Haddad’s article on this year’s EIS conference and the news of our new and current officers.
The 2011 international conference of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) was held May 13–18 in Denver, Colorado. It is estimated that there were 200 (or more) TB-related presentations and posters at the ATS conference, making it one of the world’s major TB conferences. The 29th semi-annual meeting of the TB Trials Consortium (TBTC) also took place in Denver on May 13–14, 2011, in conjunction with the ATS conference.
The 7th National Conference on Laboratory Aspects of Tuberculosis was held at the Omni Hotel at CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia, June 13–15, 2011. This TB lab meeting was sponsored by the Association of Public Health Laboratories and CDC and consisted of general sessions, breakout sessions, posters, and an exhibit hall. It was held immediately before the 2011 National TB Conference.
The 2011 National TB Conference was held June 15–17, 2011, in Atlanta. This meeting brings together state, local, territorial, and other TB control professionals with colleagues from CDC to discuss a wide array of medical, technical, and programmatic TB issues. All attendees interested in TB-related advocacy were invited to attend the Stop TB USA annual partnership meeting on June 15. We will have coverage of some of the conference events in the next issue of TB Notes.
Please note: the National Tuberculosis Nurse Coalition (NTNC) is seeking members to join its collective voice for nurses working in TB control activities, and to advocate for TB elimination throughout the nation. NTNC advises and supports the TB control officials of state, local, and territorial governments by providing a coordinated nursing perspective on issues vital to the success of TB prevention and control programs. The NTNC is part of the National TB Controllers Association (NTCA). NTNC membership is open to all nurses who work in TB control programs, case manage TB patients, or are retired TB control staff members. All nurses who join NTCA become members of NTNC; please visit the NTNC/NTCA website to join.
The 19th semi-annual meeting of the TB Epidemiologic Studies Consortium (TBESC) will be held July 20–21 in Chicago, Illinois. Also, on September 20–22, 2011, the TB Education and Training Network (TB ETN) and the TB Program Evaluation Network (TB PEN) will once again join forces for their annual conference. The meeting, which has the theme, “Waves of Change, Oceans of Opportunity,” is being held at the Westin Atlanta North at Perimeter Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia.
I enjoyed seeing all of you at the 2011 National TB Conference!
Kenneth G. Castro, MD
Assistant Surgeon General, USPHS, &
Commanding Flag Officer
CDC/ATSDR Commissioned Corps
Director, Division of Tuberculosis Elimination
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
Contact Us:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Division of Tuberculosis Elimination (DTBE)
1600 Clifton Rd., NE
MS E10
Atlanta, GA 30333 - 800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636)
TTY: (888) 232-6348 - New Hours of Operation
8am-8pm ET/Monday-Friday
Closed Holidays - cdcinfo@cdc.gov
