What to know
The 2024 TB ETN and TB PEN Conference is September 17–19, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. This conference presents a unique opportunity for TB program staff to expand their understanding of TB education, training, and program evaluation.
Tuesday, September 17
8:00-8:30 am: Registration, Exhibit, and Poster Set-Up
8:30-9:15 am: Welcome and Opening Remarks
Branch chiefs from the Communications, Education, and Behavioral Studies Branch (CEBSB) and the Data Management, Statistics, and Evaluation Branch (DMSEB) will welcome attendees and give updates on current education, training, and evaluation activities.
Speakers
Nickolas DeLuca, PhD, CDC Division of TB Elimination
Andrew Hill, PhD, CDC Division of TB Elimination
Location
Decatur Ballroom
9:15-10:00 am: Division of Tuberculosis Elimination Updates
The Associate Director for Science for the Division of TB Elimination (DTBE) will share insights on the current state of TB in the United States and the role education, training, and evaluation is playing in prevention and control efforts. The Associate Director for Policy and Issues Management for DTBE will also provide insights into CDC policy on TB.
Speakers
Susan McClure, MPH, CDC Division of TB Elimination
Carla Winston, PhD, MA CDC Division of TB Elimination
Location
Decatur Ballroom
10:00-10:15 am: Break
10:15-11:00 am: Plenary - Personal TB Stories
TB survivors will share their stories, insights, and perspectives, including how TB survivors can become advocates for others suffering from TB.
Speakers
Kate O'Brien, BA, WeAreTB
John Parmer, PhD, CDC Division of TB Elimination
Renee Purdy, TB Survivor
Karen Reyna, Somos TB
Location
Decatur Ballroom
11:00-11:15 am: Break
11:15 am-12:00 pm: Breakout Session I (choose one)
ETN - Using Training to Improve Finding and Treating Populations at High-Risk for TB
This session will focus on communication skills for providers to use with patients when discussing sensitive topics.
- Speaker: Stefani Nixon, MPH, Southeastern National TB Center
- Location: Henry Oliver
ETN - Risk Communication Strategies for TB Outbreaks and Communications Lessons Learned from the Kansas Food Processing Cluster
This session will discuss risk communications strategies and lessons learned from a recent TB cluster involving food processing facilities and their local communities.
- Speakers:
- Meghan Allard, BSN, RN, Bureau of Disease Control & Prevention - TB Control, Kansas Department of Health and Environment
- Leeanna Allen, MPH, CDC Division of TB Elimination
- Lisa Edgerton-Johnston, BA, Bureau of Disease Control & Prevention - TB Control, Kansas Department of Health and Environment
- Meghan Allard, BSN, RN, Bureau of Disease Control & Prevention - TB Control, Kansas Department of Health and Environment
- Location: Swanton
ETN - Cultural Considerations for Tuberculosis Programs in Newcomer Communities
Join this session to learn how to engage refugee, immigrant, and migrant communities in public health programming aimed at reducing the burden of tuberculosis for newcomers.
- Speaker: Syreeta Wilkins, MA, National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants (NRC-RIM)
- Location: Mary Gay
PEN - Evaluation Highlights from State and Local TB Programs
This session will highlight state and local TB program evaluation activities.
- Speakers:
- Delaney Bonds, MPH, Kentucky Department of Public Health
- Lori Johnston, BS, Florida Department of Health
- Delaney Bonds, MPH, Kentucky Department of Public Health
- Location: Decatur Ballroom
12:00-1:30 pm: Lunch (on your own)
1:30-2:15 pm: Breakout Session II (choose one)
ETN - Creating Effective Training Using Quality Training Standards and Adult Learning Principals
This session will explore the 8 training development standards that provide guidance for creating high-quality trainings and the foundational principles of adult learning theory.
- Speaker: Gabrielle Benenson, MPH, CDC Division of Workforce Development
- Location: Swanton
PEN - Strategies to Improve Contact Investigation Examination and Treatment Initiation
Contact investigations (CIs) are an essential component of TB prevention and control. Presenters from state TB programs will share strategies that their programs implemented to improve overall contact investigation outcomes. Special attention will be given to contact examination and treatment initiation.
- Speakers:
- April Cobos, BS, District of Columbia Department of Health
- Chanda Hesson, BSN, State of Alaska Department of Health
- April Cobos, BS, District of Columbia Department of Health
- Location: Mary Gay
PEN - Estimating the Cost of TB Disease
This session will focus on methods that can be used in your program to help estimate the cost associated with TB disease. Presenters will also discuss the importance of evaluating TB costs for program improvement, resource allocation, and decision-making.
- Speakers:
- Kate Louther, MS, Public Health Madison and Dane County Wisconsin
- Suzanne Marks, MPH, MA, CDC Division of TB Elimination
- Kate Louther, MS, Public Health Madison and Dane County Wisconsin
- Location: Henry Oliver
2:15-2:30 pm: Break
2:30-4:30 pm: Breakout Session III (choose one)
ETN – TB Centers of Excellence for Training, Education, and Medical Consultation (COEs): Training and Education Highlights
Participants will learn about TB training and education needs from a national perspective. The TB COEs will also showcase their respective training and education activities, followed by breakout sessions with their assigned region.
- Speakers:
- Carissa Bisnath, MS, CHES, CDC Division of TB Elimination
- Jennifer Curran, EDD, Mayo Clinic Center for Tuberculosis
- Jeannie Fong, Curry International Tuberculosis Center, University of California San Francisco
- Megan Keaveney, MPH, CDC Division of TB Elimination
- Anita Khilall, MPH, Global TB Institute at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
- Donna Setzer, M.Ed, Southeastern National Tuberculosis Center, University of Florida
- Carissa Bisnath, MS, CHES, CDC Division of TB Elimination
- Location: Decatur Ballroom B and breakout rooms (noted below)
- Curry International Tuberculosis Center: Mary Gay
- Global TB Institute at Rutgers: Swanton
- Mayo Clinic Center for Tuberculosis: Henry Oliver
- Southeastern National Tuberculosis Center: Decatur Ballroom B
- Curry International Tuberculosis Center: Mary Gay
PEN - Round Table with CDC PE Consultants
Participants will share an overview of their program evaluation activities in small group discussions, with other programs and with CDC Evaluation Consultants and Program Consultants.
- Speakers: Evaluation Consultants and Program Consultants, CDC Division of TB Elimination
- Location: Decatur Ballroom A
4:30-5:15 pm: ETN-PEN Poster Viewing and Exhibits
5:20-6:45 pm: Social
Optional attendance. Attendees are responsible for their individual food and drink expenses.
Location
Brickstore Pub, 125 East Court Square, Decatur, GA
Wednesday, September 18
8:30-9:45 am: Plenary - Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Health Education, Communications, and Evaluation
This session will focus on generative artificial intelligence (AI) and the implications for TB education, communication, and evaluation program activities and how TB programs can best prepare to utilize this new technology.
Speaker
Amelia Burke-Garcia, PhD, MA, National Organization for Research (NORC), University of Chicago
Location
Decatur Ballroom
9:45-10:00 am: Break
10:00-10:45 am: Breakout Session IV (choose one)
ETN - Recruitment, Orientation, Retention: Strategies for Successful TB Nurse Education
This breakout session will explore key factors in developing successful TB nursing training including mindful recruiting strategies, individualized orientation, and ongoing continuing education.
- Speaker: Patricia Iyer, MSN, RN, BC, Nurse Educator
- Location: Henry Oliver
ETN - Working with Pacific Island Populations
Participants will hear about experiences with providing TB patient education to Pacific Island communities, including lessons learned and best practices.
- Speakers:
- Derrick Felix, MPH, CDC Division of TB Elimination
- Mary Ing RN, MSN-Ed, Hawaii State Department of Health
- Leanne Kihara, DNP, APRN, PHNA-BC, Hawaii State Department of Health
- Derrick Felix, MPH, CDC Division of TB Elimination
- Location: Swanton
PEN/ETN - Evaluation of Training and Education: A Template to Conduct a Training Needs Assessment of Providers
This session will provide participants with a template that can be used in their areas to help identify clinicians and health care workers' TB training needs and also help to tailor educational and training resources.
- Speaker: Emily Anderson, BSN, ADN, Kentucky Department of Public Health
- Location: Mary Gay
PEN – Strategies to Improve the Care Cascade Among Immigrants and Refugees
This session will describe how TB programs have addressed various stages of the TB care cascade among immigrant and refugee populations. Participants will learn about the Class B outreach process and strategies used by jurisdictions and how to improve evaluation and treatment outcomes.
- Speakers:
- April Cobos, BS, BA, District of Columbia Health
- Edward Lan, MPH, Los Angeles County, Department of Health
- April Cobos, BS, BA, District of Columbia Health
- Location: Decatur Ballroom B
11:00 am - 12:00 pm: Mini Plenaries (choose one)
ETN – TB Screening and Treatment in the Immigration Process
In this session, participants will hear about civil surgeons and physician’s updates, technical instructions updates, and the implications for TB education and training. Participants will learn about a project to establish surveillance and improve linkage to care and treatment of latent TB infection for people adjusting their U.S. immigration status.
- Speakers:
- Elise Caruso, MPH, CDC Division of TB Elimination
- Joanna Regan, MD, MPH, CDC Division of Global Migration and Health
- Thara Venkatappa, PhD, MSc, CDC Division of TB Elimination
- Elise Caruso, MPH, CDC Division of TB Elimination
- Location: Mary Gay
PEN - Strategies and Evaluations Focused on Special Populations
In this session, participants will learn about evaluations that focus on special populations, such as persons with TB in correctional facilities and TB among persons with HIV.
- Speakers:
- Lauren Lambert, MPH, CDC Division of TB Elimination
- Andrea Liptack, MSN, RN, FNP-BC, Wisconsin Department of Health Services
- Lauren Lambert, MPH, CDC Division of TB Elimination
- Location: Decatur Ballroom B
12:00-1:15 pm: Lunch (on your own)
1:15-2:15 pm: Breakout Session V (choose one)
ETN - An Introduction to Using Generative AI Tools for Training
This session will focus on how to use generative artificial intelligence (AI) including a review of available tools and an interactive exercise.
- Speaker: Ariel Gunn, EdD, Southeastern National TB Center, University of Florida
- Location: Swanton
ETN – Southern Border Health and Migrant Initiatives
This session will focus on effective public-private partnerships such as TB Care Finder which helps in-bound U.S. immigrants find the correct TB program or provider for their follow-up evaluation. The session will also include an overview of the CureTB program, which connects people with TB to health care services as they move between the U.S. and other countries.
- Speakers:
- Omar Duran Pena, MD, MPH, CDC Division of Global Migration and Health Southern Border Team
- Bianka Rubio, MBA, CDC Division of Global Migration and Health Southern Border Team
- Carlos Vera Garcia, MD, CDC Division of Global Migration and Health's Southern Border Team
- Omar Duran Pena, MD, MPH, CDC Division of Global Migration and Health Southern Border Team
- Location: Mary Gay
ETN - Social Media Tips and Best Practices
This session will discuss key components of a successful social media strategy, trends, and how to develop content based on existing web materials.
- Speakers:
- Chelsea Kearns, ABJ, CDC Office of Communications
- Bethany Pearson, ABJ, CDC Office of Communications
- Chelsea Kearns, ABJ, CDC Office of Communications
- Location: Henry Oliver
PEN - Strategies to Conduct and Evaluate Targeted Testing
This session will focus on targeted testing strategies implemented within state TB programs. The evaluation efforts, impact, and lessons learned will be shared.
- Speakers:
- Cassandra Burleson, MPH, Georgia Department of Public Health
- Sophia Hsu, RN, MSN, MPH, Los Angeles County Department of Health
- Juliet Leonard, FNP-C, APN, New Jersey Department of Health
- Cassandra Burleson, MPH, Georgia Department of Public Health
- Location: Decatur Ballroom B
2:15-2:30 pm: Break
2:30-4:30 pm: Breakout Session VI (choose one)
ETN – HRD/Training and Education Focal Point Meeting
In this session, Training and Education Focal Points will learn about human resource development updates and hear presentations from the field. From 3:30-4:30 pm, participants will interact with subject matter experts on a variety of topics during roundtable discussions.
- Speakers:
- Carissa Bisnath, MS, CHES, CDC Division of TB Elimination
- Marjorie McDermott, RN, Georgia Department of Public Health
- Veda Ting, Washington State Health Department
- Carissa Bisnath, MS, CHES, CDC Division of TB Elimination
- Location: Mary Gay, followed by roundtables in Decatur Ballroom A
PEN Data Workshop: From Data Collection to Data Interpretation
Part 1: Survey Design
This interactive session will highlight a systematic approach to creating surveys. Special attention will be given to general principles for formulating questions, formatting surveys, pre-testing approaches, and tips for analyzing and interpreting results. Participants will have the opportunity to practice applying the skills discussed during the session.
Part 2: Mock Data Party
Data parties are a fun way for groups with common goals to come together and interpret what their data findings mean and the implications for action. Attendees will receive a brief introduction to data parties, then participate in a mock data party using national-level NTIP data printed on ‘data placemats.’ Participants should bring their (fully charged) laptops.
- Speakers:
- Casey Siesel, MPH, CDC Division of Global Health Protection
- Eva Trinh, PhD, MPH, CDC Division of TB Elimination
- Casey Siesel, MPH, CDC Division of Global Health Protection
- Location: Decatur Ballroom B
Thursday, September 19
8:30-9:30 am: Plenary - TB ETN and TB PEN Oral Abstract Presentations
- Increasing Latent TB Infection Treatment Among Contacts to Active TB Cases in Kentucky
- Young Adult TB Peer Advocacy Activities in San Diego County
- Development of Electronic Latent Tuberculosis Infection Toolkit to Enhance Community Provider Screening and Treatment
- Strengthening Civil Surgeons’ Capacity to Improve Latent TB Infection Surveillance and Outcomes Among Status Adjusters
Speakers
PEN - Delaney Bonds, MPH, Kentucky Department of Public Health
ETN - Marti Brentnall, MPH, San Diego County Tuberculosis Control and Refugee Health Branch
ETN - Melanie Dolan RN, BSN, New York State Department of Health
PEN - Katie Stinebaugh, MPH, Minnesota Department of Health
Location
Decatur Ballroom
9:30-10:30 am: Plenary - CDC's Think. Test. Treat TB Campaign Overview and Results
This session will provide an overview of the strategies and implementation of the first national multilingual communications campaign to increase testing for inactive TB. Lessons from the implementation of Think. Test. Treat TB at the city media market level will be provided by Los Angeles County. Results from an outcome evaluation of the campaign in the Seattle, WA media market will be presented.
Speakers
Elise Caruso, MPH, CDC Division of TB Elimination
April King-Todd, RN, BSN, MPH,, Los Angeles County Department of Health
John Parmer, PhD, CDC Division of TB Elimination
Location
Decatur Ballroom
10:30-10:45 am: Break
10:45 am -12:00 pm: Plenary - Health Equity and TB
This session will explore how health equity can address some of the most pressing problems in TB elimination including health disparities, ensuring access to care, and protecting human rights. Participants will also hear about TB Elimination Alliance (TEA) activities and projects.
Speakers
Jeffrey Caballero, MPH, Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations
Beverly McKee, RN, PhD, Government of Nunavut
Location
Decatur Ballroom
12:00-12:30 pm: Closing Remarks
This wrap-up session will include conference highlights, audience insights, and thoughts for future gatherings.
Speakers
Nickolas DeLuca, PhD, CDC Division of TB Elimination
Andrew Hill, PhD, CDC Division of TB Elimination
Location
Decatur Ballroom