FETP 40th Anniversary
We train people who we sometimes call disease detectives. They go beneath the surface to try and identify: What are the causes? What can we do to control the diseases?
– Jared Omolo, MD
Epidemiologist, CDC Rwanda
Since 1980, CDC has helped train more than 18,000 disease detectives in over 80 countries through its flagship global Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP). 2020 is the 40th anniversary of CDC supporting the establishment of Thailand’s Field Epidemiology Training Program, the first FETP site created outside of North America.
FETPs expand CDC’s reach by training public health professionals to investigate and respond to disease outbreaks and other health threats. Through these programs, countries help fulfill the International Health Regulations (IHR) requirements for disease surveillance and response, and strengthen their capacity by conducting surveillance, analyzing data, and making sound evidence-based decisions. FETPs also work to address the increasingly important burden of noncommunicable diseases.
FETP graduates are CDC’s “boots on the ground” and play a critical role in ensuring global health security. They do this by strengthening the public health workforce and expanding regional and global disease detection networks available during crises.
Throughout 2020, DGHP will share stories and information about the FETP program, its members, and the work that they do around the world.
FETP is really one of the most exciting programs that we have. It has allowed us to work shoulder to shoulder with a lot of the governments throughout the region.
– Emily Zielinski Gutierrez, DrPH
Director, CDC Central America Region
Tatiana M. Lanzieri is a graduate of the first cohort of Brazil’s Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) called EpiSUS. The Brazilian Ministry of Health (MOH) launched EpiSUS in 2000, while Lanzieri was completing her residency in preventive medicine.
In 2010, Tatiana joined CDC headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, as a medical epidemiologist or “disease detective” for the National Center for Immunizations and Respiratory Diseases. She currently serves as the lead epidemiologist for the domestic rubella and cytomegalovirus programs. In honor of…
Dr. Simon Nyovuura Antara began his FETP journey as a resident in Kenya’s Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) in 2006. Since then, he has contributed significantly to the expansion and growth of the program. Antara helped create two FETP programs in Africa and mentored residents as a resident advisor (RA). Currently, he is the Director of the African Field Epidemiology Networkexternal iconexternal icon (AFENET). From his early days as a resident, to now leading AFENET, Antara’s FETP career track has had a profound impact in epidemiology across Africa.
Learn more about FETP’s work through these videos, developed by CDC and our partners.
- Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) 40th Anniversary Video
- TEPHINET FETP at 40 Videosexternal icon, including CDC, TEPHINET (Training Programs in Epidemiology and Public Health Interventions Network) and AFENET (African Field Epidemiology Network)