Center Team
Center Team
Rocky Mountains & High Plains Center for Emergency Public Health
Led by a team of experienced faculty and staff, The Center is engaged in research and practice to help support stronger and more prepared local, state, national, and global health departments, agencies, and ministries of health. For general enquiries, please reach out to rmhp-ceph@utah.edu.
Leadership
|
Kimberley Shoaf, DrPH, MPH Dr. Kimberley Shoaf is a Professor in the Division of Public Health and the Executive Director of the Rocky Mountains & High Plain Center for Emergency Public Health. She has more than 30 years of experience in public health practice including experience as a health educator, trainer, and researcher. She has particular expertise in program planning and evaluation applicable to both general public health practice and emergency public health. She has worked with more than 50 local health departments in preparing for responding to disasters through training, assessments, and exercises as well as in writing of plans. She has both a research and an educational focus on workforce development within public health and primary care. Dr. Shoaf received her Master of Public Health degree in Population and Family Health and a DrPH in Community Health Sciences from the Fielding School of Public Health at the University of California, Los Angeles. |
|
Elaine Scallan Walter, PhD, MA Dr. Elaine Scallan Walter is a Professor of Epidemiology at the Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. She is the co-Director of the Region VIII Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center (RM-PHTC), one of 10 regional public health training centers designated by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) to provide training to professionals addressing a wide range of public health issues. She is also the co-Director the Colorado Integrated Food Safety Cetner of Excellence one of five Integrated Food Safety Centers of Excellence designated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide training, resources, and consultation to local and state health departments to improve foodborne and enteric disease surveillance and outbreak response. |
|
Michelle Seage, PhD, W-EMT Dr. Seage is passionate about building individual and organizational public health emergency preparedness and response capabilities and resilience within the PHEP workforce. She also has direct disaster response experience utilizing ICS. Before working with the Center, she worked for the federal government in resource-limited settings and has expertise in diplomatic and defense-related U.S. foreign policy. |
Research Staff
|
Austin Layton Austin Layton is a student in the Master of Healthcare Administration program in the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah. He has two years of administrative experience within the University of Utah's School of Medicine and over six years of direct patient care experience across the Wasatch Front. Austin provides logistical support and administrative management for the Rocky Mountain & High Plains Center for Emergency Public Health housed in the Division of Public Health. He also provides support and administrative management for the Division of Occupational and Environmental Health's viral aerosol project. Austin plans to graduate with his Master of Healthcare Administration degree in 2027. |
|
Emma Erwin, MSc, MPH Emma is the Training Manager for the Rocky Mountains and High Plains Center for Emergency Public Health at the University of Utah, creating online and in-person training initiatives while leading The Center’s communications and marketing efforts. She holds an MPH from the University of Utah and an MSc in Veterinary Epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the Royal Veterinary College, bringing a One Health perspective (and the Queen’s English) to U.S. emergency preparedness. Outside the Center, she works on research and community initiatives using innovative, AI-first tools to help communities better anticipate, understand, and respond to complex threats. When she’s not working, you’ll likely find her on a trail—slowly but surely collecting every national park stamp in her passport. |
|
Marci Harris, PhD, MPH, MPP Marci Harris is an Advanced Research Coordinator for the Division of Public Health. She leads evaluation efforts for the Center for Emergency Public Health, assessing the impact and effectiveness of the Center’s interventions and programs. Marci holds a BS in Economics, Consumer and Community Policy, and Gender Studies, as well as dual MS in Public Health (MPH) and Public Policy (MPP). She has also earned her PhD in Public Health. Prior to her current role, Marci spent a decade working with nonprofit organizations in Utah, where her experiences deepened her commitment to public policy and public health. Outside of work, she lives in Millcreek with her husband and their cats. Marci enjoys traveling, attending live music events, reading voraciously, and picking up new skills whenever she can. |
|
Megan Petersen, PhD(c), MPH, W-EMT Megan Petersen is a Doctoral Candidate at the University of Utah. She has more than 20 years of experience in global health and emergency public health. Megan's work has been primarily with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) focused on HIV/AIDS (PEPFAR), water, sanitation, hygiene, and Global Health Security. Megan believes in the vital work of global health and development in the effort to protect national security, improve diplomatic relationships, combat diseases to prevent future pandemics, and respond to humanitarian needs. Her academic work and research are focused on emergency public health, disaster planning, response, and recovery, and vaccine hesitancy. Megan received her Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in Community Health Science from the Fielding School of Public Health at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Bachelors of Social Science (BSS) from Brigham Young University (BYU). Megan is also a volunteer Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (W-EMT). |
|
Skyler Crouch, MPH, CPH Skyler is a public health PhD student who is interested in incorporating health equity principles into epidemiology. He is currently a PhD student researcher for the ForeSITE Center and the instructor for the Public Health Nutrition course. Previously, Skyler has served as a health equity epidemiologist for the Department of Family & Preventive Medicine, a manager for the U of U COVID-19 Contact Tracing Team, and the COVID-19 vaccination coordinator for the main U of U campus. He has a B.Sc. in Nutritional Science from Brigham Young University and an MPH from the University of Utah. Skyler is actively involved with the Utah Public Health Association and has served the organization in many roles, including Board President, Conference Chair, and President of the Student Assembly. He is also an LGBTQ+ subject matter expert for the Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center and an active member of the Healthy West Jordan Committee. He is an avid gardener and amateur botanist, a classical music fanatic, and an advocate for incorporating native plants into landscapes. |
|
Jessie Liwanu Welch-Stockton, MSW, LCSW, MPH, MBA Jessie is a public health PhD student at the University of Utah. She is interested in the overlap of public health policy and mental health. Jessie has a diverse professional background, consisting of a Master of Social Work and Master of Public Health awarded at the University of Utah, as well as her Master of Business Administration awarded at Southern Utah University. Jessie is currently a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in four states (Utah, Idaho, Montana, and Colorado). Her primary work as a clinician has been in emergency medicine settings and is focused on mental health crises. Jessie is an enrolled tribal member of the Cherokee Nation. In her free time, she enjoys all things “crafting” and has been known to enjoy a crisp, cold coke zero. |
|
Mae Tanner Mae is a public health PhD student whose interests lie in the spaces where emergency medical services and public health emergencies intersect. Her background in operations, logistics, incident management, and pre-hospital care/emergency medicine aligns well with her drive to help build emergency/disaster response capacity at the state and local levels. Mae holds a BSc in Interdisciplinary Studies from BYU-Hawaii and completed her MPH at Chamberlain University College of Health Sciences. As a nationally certified emergency medical technician (EMT-B) and wilderness EMT (W-EMT), Mae gravitates towards the boots-on-the-ground aspects of public health emergency preparedness, recovery, and response. When she's not cooking up a mess of food or lounging with a good book, Mae spends as much time as possible tromping around local trails with a comfortably heavy rucksack on her back. |
Affiliated Faculty
|
Christina A. Porucznik, PhD, MSPH Dr. Christina A. Porucznik is a Professor in the Division of Public Health. She is a doctorally-trained epidemiologist who served as an Epidemic Intelligence Service officer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at the Utah Department of Health before joining the faculty in 2005. She has worked in nonprofit, government, academic, and corporate settings with scientists, engineers, and policy makers. Dr. Porucznik received her Master of Science in Public Health and PHD in Epidemiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Public Health.
|
|
James L. VanDerslice, PhD, MSEE Jim VanDerslice, PhD is a Professor in the Division of Public Health. His research focuses on evaluating human exposures to chemical and microbiological hazards in the environment. Several of his studies have examined contaminants in drinking water and foods, and their effects on infants and children. He utilizes Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as a tool to assess spatial patterns in exposures. He has recently become interested in the effects of the built environment on physical activity and obesity, and is using GIS to classify the built environment of SLC neighborhoods using spatial data and aerial imagery. |
|
Lindsay Keegan, PhD Lindsay's research answers the question of how transmission dynamics of infectious diseases impact control and elimination efforts. Her research centers on developing and applying novel statistical and dynamical methods to address questions on the ecology and evolution of infectious diseases. Currently she is working on using statistical and mathematical techniques to understand the how pathogens spread in healthcare facilities. In addition, she is working on using dynamical methods to respond to COVID-19. When she’s not doing research, you can find Lindsay in the mountains doing all manner of human-powered sports. |
|
Lisa H. Gren, PhD, MSPH Lisa Gren, PhD, MSPH is an Associate Professor in the Division of Public Health at the University of Utah. Dr. Gren has earned a BS degree in microbiology, MSPH in Public Health, and PhD in Public Health. She teaches Introduction to Biostatistics (PBHLT 6100) and Public Health Systems and Services (PBHLT 6500). Dr. Gren is the Director for the University of Utah Primary Care Research Network, and Associate Director for the Center for Research on Migration and Refugee Immigration. |
|
L. Scott Benson, MD, PhD, MPH Scott Benson, MD, PhD, MPH is an Associate Professor in the Division of Public Health. His interest in global health was fostered by his environmental health research in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. This interest in the overlap between Public Health and the environment prompted him into medicine. He completed medical school, an internship/residency in Internal Medicine as well as a fellowship in Infectious Diseases. During his training, he conducted and participated in research in Ghana, Peru and India. He joined the Divisions of Public Health and Infectious Diseases where where he teaches, continues to work abroad and consults with infectious disease patients and returning travelers in the University Infectious Diseases clinic. |
Steering Committee
Each member of the Steering Committee was chosen to ensure varied representation from stakeholders in the region with expertise in public health emergency preparedness and response. They will have the opportunity to leverage their individual and collective experience and contacts to support the Center's efforts to meet the needs of State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial (STLT) public health departments throughout the region.
| Mitch Saruwatari, MPH Director, National Emergency Management, Kaiser Permanente, Regional |
| Katie Arrington, MPH Recovery and Resiliency Project Manager, Boulder County, CO |
| Charles Little, DO Medical Director, Mountain Plains Regional Disaster Health Response System, CO |
| Tammy Matt, BSN RN Public Health Nurse, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes, Tribal Health Department, MT |
| Representative Montana Public Health Emergency Preparedness, MT |
| Representative North Dakota Department of Health, ND |
| Representative South Dakota Department of Health, SD |
| Annette Newman MS, RN, CCRN Disaster Preparedness Consultant, Utah Hospital Association, UT |
| Leisha Nolen, PhD State Epidemiologist, Utah Department of Health and Human Services, UT |
| Kasey DeLynn Shakespear, MHA, MPH, MA, CERT-SSBB Executive Director, Rural Health Association for Utah, UT |
| Traci Foutz, AWEM Emergency Preparedness & Response Coordinator, Fremont County, WY |
| Sheryl Roub, CPM, MCSE, CPIM Manager, Public Health Preparedness and Response Unit, WY |
Tribal Advisory Group
Each member of the Tribal Advisory Group (TAG) was chosen to ensure varied representation from Tribal Communities and organizations supporting Tribal Communities in the region with expertise in public health and emergency preparedness and response. They will have the opportunity to leverage their individual and collective experience and contacts to support The Center's efforts to plan and respond to emergency public health needs and events of Tribal Nations and Communities throughout Region VIII.
| Susan Smith Community Health Representatives (CHR) Director, Southern Ute Mountain Tribe, CO |
| Jeffrey Berger Director of Disaster and Emergency Services, Fort Peck, Assiniboine, and Sioux Tribes, MT |
| Tammy Matt, BSN RN Public Health Nurse, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes, Tribal Health Department, MT |
| Robert DesRosier Retired Director of Emergency Management, Blackfeet Nation, MT |
| Mary DeSRosier Retired Indian Health Services General Physician, Blackfeet Nation, MT |
| Dariel Yazzie Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program/Division of Public Health Services, Navajo Department of Health, UT |
| Cassie Meredith Emergency Manager, The Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, UT |
| Keldon Brown Emergency Manager, Navajo Health System, UT |
| Cleon Yazzie Facilities Manager & Emergency Preparedness & Response Coordinator, Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake, Navajo Nation, UT |
| Rachel Matta Public Health Response Coordinator, Wind River Cares, Northern Arapahoe Tribe, WY |