
Task 1
Task 1
The purpose of Task 1 was to establish a Coordinating Body consisting of key stakeholders in the region that represent organizations with public health emergency preparedness and response responsibilities at the local, state, tribal, and regional levels. This group is working together by consensus using a modified Delphi process to create a 5-year work plan for the Region VIII CPHEPR. The work plan recommended strategies and interventions to improve PHEPR capabilities at all levels, with emphasis given to evidence-based practices. The work plan also included the training, implementation, or development of each proposed strategy.
Task 1 Coordinating Body Representation

Task 1 Timeline

Task 1 Coordinating Body Membership
Name |
Title |
State |
Mitch Saruwatari | Director, National Emergency Management, Kaiser Permanente | CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY |
Celeste Peterson | Emergency Management Program Manager, Intermountain Health Care, Center for Disaster Preparedness | CO, MT, UT, WY |
Steve Sanchez | Chair of the Southeast Regional Healthcare Coalition, Hospital Emergency Preparedness Committee | CO |
** | Public Health Transition Coordinator, La Plata County Public Health Department | CO |
** | EPR Coordinator, Montrose County Public Health Department | CO |
Amanda Hettinger | Director, Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response | CO |
Tony Ward | Chair and Professor, School of Public and Community Health Sciences, University of Montana | MT |
Peter Callahan | Supervisor, Public Health Emergency, Department of Public Health and Health Services | MT |
Cindee Mckee | Healthcare Coalition Director, Hospital Preparedness Program | MT |
Colin Tobin | Hospital Program Preparedness Manager | MT |
Nezar Wehbi | State Health Officer and Epidemiologist | ND |
Juli Sickler | Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response, Department of Health | ND |
Gary Schwartz | Chair/Director, MPH Program, University of North Dakota | ND |
Marcus Lee | PHEP Coordinator, Grand Forks Public Health Department | ND |
Whitney Lutkemeier | Assistant Administrator for Public Health Preparedness and Response, Department of Health | SD |
** | STS Healthcare Coalition Manger, Salt Lake County Health Department | UT |
Kirk Benge | Health Officer, Tri-County Health Department | UT |
Rich Swanson | Risk Manager, Davis County School District | UT |
Leisha Nolen | State Epidemiologist, Department of Health and Human Services | UT |
Kasey Shakespear | Assistant Director, Rural Health Association of Utah | UT |
Cassie Meredith | Emergency Manager, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah | UT |
Traci Foutz | Emergency Response Coordinator, Fremont County | WY |
Alexia Harrist | State Health Office, Department of Health | WY |
Kris Cundall | Education Counselor, Wyoming Health and Safety, Department of Education | WY |
Jean Stachon | Health Officer, Sweetwater County | WY |
**To be posted at a later date