Purpose
CDC would like to congratulate the 2025 CDC U.S. TB Elimination Champions for their impactful work in preventing and controlling tuberculosis (TB). This initiative highlights individuals and organizations whose efforts advance TB elimination in the United States, showcasing their achievements and best practices.
Alaska State Public Health Laboratory- Tuberculosis Lab
During a months-long renovation to the Washington State Public Health Laboratory (PHL), the Alaska State Public Health Laboratory (ASPHL) generously conducted Washington State’s TB testing. ASPHL also assigned and shipped specimens for testing services performed at laboratories outside Alaska. Thanks to ASPHL’s welcoming collaboration and technical assistance, Washington State PHL could continue critical TB laboratory testing services.
Alice M. Cuenca
Alice M. Cuenca is a communicable disease coordinator at the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services. Since 2007, she has managed over 1,000 confirmed cases of drug-susceptible TB disease and 19 cases of multidrug-resistant TB disease. She works with partners to develop plans for care and treatment and facilitates TB medication shipments to Guam. Alice also volunteers time to support patients, ensuring they have access to care and services. Finally, she supports TB education initiatives to raise awareness of TB among the community and health care providers.
Amelia Poulin and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO)
The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) is a nonprofit organization committed to reducing TB infections, and lowering TB morbidity and mortality, through TB prevention and treatment efforts. ASTHO supports its members and fosters collaboration among health departments and partner organizations.
Amelia Poulin is the Assistant Director of Emerging Infectious Disease for ASTHO. Her dedication to ASTHO's TB-related work has strengthened public health capacity, built networks, and contributed to TB elimination. Amelia increased awareness of TB program work by authoring several ASTHO blogs. She also created new tools such as a toolkit that helps TB programs develop action plans to address drug shortages and other medication access challenges.
Barbara Andrino
Dr. Barbara Andrino served as a dedicated TB clinician at the Fairfax Health District in Virginia for 12 years before retiring in 2024. During this time, she provided tailored care plans to meet her patients’ needs and ensured successful treatment completion. Dr. Andrino assisted with contact tracing activities by assessing and treating contacts of patients with TB disease. She prioritized family members at higher risk for TB. Dr. Andrino was an avid supporter for TB best practices and consistently shared her knowledge with colleagues.
Charles Harvey
Dr. Charles Harvey is the TB control officer and medical consultant at the Oklahoma State Department of Health. He has dedicated over 20 years to TB elimination efforts through education and patient care. Dr. Harvey mentored and educated infectious disease fellows and physician assistant students. He also trained TB nurses and physicians in Oklahoma on TB treatment protocols. Dr. Harvey has facilitated patient access to TB treatment and resources that have benefited the overall health of his community.
Chatham County Health Department Chest Clinic
The Chatham County Health Department Chest Clinic provides TB screening, diagnostic, and treatment services to residents of Savannah, Georgia, and surrounding counties. The Chest Clinic team works to reduce the incidence of TB disease. In 2024, the team tested approximately 1,382 people for TB infection. They drove thousands of miles to provide directly observed therapy for people taking treatment for TB and to facilitate laboratory services to patients. The efforts of this team improved access to TB treatment and overall health outcomes for persons with TB.
See footnote for a complete list of names.A
Chima Mbakwem, Guam Tuberculosis Control Program Staff, and the Bureau of Family Health and Nursing Services
During a TB outbreak that affected Guam in 2024, the Guam TB/Hansen Disease Program, led by Program Manager Chima Mbakwem, collaborated with the Bureau of Family Health and Nursing Services to manage multiple cases of drug-resistant TB disease. The team facilitated testing of over 500 identified contacts of persons with TB disease during outbreak investigations from December 2024 to February 2025. Despite many challenges, including drug shortages, the team controlled the TB outbreak and ensured people with TB disease initiated and completed treatment.
See footnote for a complete list of names.B
Diana Cervantes
Diana Cervantes is a Senior Public Health Investigator for the City of Houston (Texas) Bureau of TB Control. As a correctional facility liaison, Diana conducts contact investigations and surveillance activities at the Harris County Jail, the Federal Detention Center, and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detention Facility. In 2024, Diana interviewed more than 150 inmates as part of contact tracing activities and provided professional guidance and training to correctional facility medical teams. She also built effective partnerships with facility staff at each organization. Diana’s efforts helped facilities improve TB prevention and control efforts.
DuPage County Health Department
The DuPage Health Department's TB Clinic in Wheaton, Illinois demonstrated dedication and expertise in TB prevention and control. After a local university student was diagnosed with TB disease, the clinic's staff acted immediately. As part of a contact investigation, they screened 150 students in just one week. Their efforts didn’t stop there. They even worked through a holiday to ensure timely reading of TB skin tests. The team’s expertise, efficiency, and unwavering commitment to public health played a crucial role in preventing further spread of TB disease.
See footnote for a complete list of names.C
Erin Corriveau
Dr. Erin Corriveau is dedicated to improving access to TB treatment and testing in the Kansas City metropolitan area. She put together a team to review new TB cases and connect patients with necessary resources. Dr. Corriveau established a network of community sites to improve access to TB testing and works to help people with TB disease complete treatment.
Florida Public Health Laboratory
The Florida Mycobacteriology Laboratory is a state-of-the-art diagnostic laboratory that provides services to TB programs in Florida and across the United States. They have proactively offered tests to support health care providers treating TB, especially drug-resistant TB disease. Thanks to their advanced TB testing services, patients have obtained a quick TB diagnosis and were placed on appropriate treatment regimens. They have demonstrated a great commitment to eliminating TB.
Harbor UCLA Pediatric Infectious Disease Clinic
The Harbor UCLA Pediatric Infectious Disease Clinic outreach team partnered with the Los Angeles County TB Control Program to serve children with latent TB infection in the southern region of Los Angeles County. The team provided education and treatment for latent TB infection while facilitating access to health services. During this collaboration, the team served over 50 children.
See footnote for a complete list of names.D
Harris County Public Health TB Elimination
The Harris County Public Health TB Elimination (HCPHTB) team from Texas demonstrated their commitment to eliminate TB by helping patients access transportation, housing, and food. They raised funds to support patients and are developing a gift card program to cover transportation costs and time off from work. HCPHTB is also working on securing temporary housing for patients who need to temporarily isolate during treatment. Their efforts have significantly impacted their community, with a high percentage of patients successfully completing treatment.
See footnote for a complete list of names.E
Jennifer Riemann
Jennifer Riemann is the District TB Coordinator at the Coastal Health District TB Program in Savannah, Georgia. She demonstrates dedication to TB elimination efforts and compassion for people being treated for TB. Jennifer makes sure that people receiving TB treatment feel supported during the treatment process. She further enhances the patient experience by overseeing, teaching, and inspiring the nurses who serve TB patients. Jennifer also provides TB education to TB contacts, community members, and medical care workers.
Melanie Teubner-Humber
Melanie Teubner-Humber is the TB Nurse Case Manager at the Northeast Texas Public Health District. Melanie is committed to eliminating TB in the community. She ensures timely diagnoses and provides TB education to patients and staff. Melanie also goes above and beyond for patients throughout their TB treatment process. Not only does she provide medical care to patients receiving TB treatment, but she also makes sure they are heard and supported.
New York City Shelter-Based TB Detection, Prevention, and Response Teams
Beginning in 2022, staff from New York City public health, social services, public hospitals, and community healthcare agencies collaborated in response to increased cases of TB disease. They expanded TB testing, evaluation, and care coordination in shelter settings. Since 2022, they have tested over 20,000 people and helped connect people with diagnosis and treatment services. The teams worked to implement interventions among shelter populations including TB education, testing, directly observed therapy, and mobile chest x-ray clinics. Through many challenges, they successfully established timely patient care and follow-up, reducing the spread of TB disease.
See footnote for a complete list of names.F
Royal Medical Group
The Royal Medical Group (RMG) partnered with the Orange County, California Health Care Agency and the California Health Department, TB Control Branch, in a CDC-funded, multi-site project for civil surgeons. The civil surgeons perform medical examinations for people seeking lawful permanent residence in the United States. The goals included improving reporting of people diagnosed with TB infection who legally immigrated to the United States from 2022-2024. The RMG increased delivery of latent TB infection education, referral information, and uptake of latent TB infection treatment by patients seen at the RMG.
See footnote for a complete list of names.G
St. Luke’s Medical Center Extension Clinic
St. Luke’s Medical Center Extension Clinic, based in the Philippines, provides high-quality medical TB screening, diagnosis, and treatment services for U.S. immigrant visa applicants to reduce the risk of TB transmission. Following CDC’s Technical Instructions for Panel Physicians, from 2021-2024, the clinic screened 35,000 applicants for TB and maintained a treatment success rate of over 95% among patients participating in directly observed therapy. Their commitment to TB elimination has made a lasting impact on public health, reinforcing their role as a leader in the fight to eliminate TB in the United States.
See footnote for a complete list of names.H
Status Adjusters Project Awardees
From September 2022 to 2024 the California Department of Public Health in collaboration with Orange County Health Care Agency, Florida Department of Health in collaboration with University of Florida, Minnesota Department of Health, and Williamson County and Cities Health District, Texas, participated in a project to prevent TB disease among individuals adjusting their immigration status in the United States. They engaged civil surgeons in their jurisdictions to provide TB blood testing services and report positive test results to the local health department. Civil surgeons perform medical examinations for people seeking lawful permanent residence in the United States. The partnership developed educational materials, trained civil surgeons, and facilitated treatment for patients. This project successfully established new reporting tools to streamline reporting for latent TB infection and treatment.
See footnote for a complete list of names.I
Teresa L. Rugg
Teresa Rugg serves as the TB Program Supervisor for Snohomish County Health Department in Everett, Washington and Executive Director for TB PhotoVoice. With over 30 years of experience, her efforts to end TB in the United States range from leading a collaborative and patient-focused TB program to elevating the voices of TB survivors. Teresa’s efforts have made a significant and lasting impact on the community. She has raised awareness of TB, fostered a patient-centered approach to TB prevention and elimination, and spread successful practices to other TB programs.
Thienkhai Vu and Brian Hass
Dr. Thienkhai Vu and Dr. Brian Haas advance TB care through chest radiology at San Francisco General Hospital. They provide case reviews, guide treatment decisions, and support healthcare providers across Northern California. Drs. Vu and Haas offer TB radiology training and consult on complex cases. They also collaborate with the California Department of Public Health and the Curry International TB Center. Their dedication and expertise help improve TB diagnoses and patient care in their communities.
Tom Rogers Muyunga-Mukasa
Tom Rogers Muyunga-Mukasa is the founder and manager at NOAHS ARK and Advocacy Network Africa in Washington, DC. Since 2023, Tom has mobilized communities around the theme “End TB.” Tom has organized approximately 200 in-person events raising awareness about TB and providing health education in the D.C./Maryland/Virginia area. He has connected people at risk for TB to testing, treatment, and care services. Tom has dedicated his time, resources, and efforts to help make communities free from TB.
Whitman County Public Health and CHAS Health
In 2024, Whitman County Public Health and the CHAS Federally Qualified Health Center located in Washington state, collaborated to care for a person with extensively drug-resistant TB disease. Whitman County Public Health acquired the medicines needed for treatment, provided directly observed therapy, and coordinated with partners to provide care and monitoring. CHAS Health provided consultation and coordination of patient care. The two teams were in constant communication with each other to ensure effective monitoring. Working with limited resources, these two groups provided an excellent outcome for the patient.
See footnote for a complete list of names.J
Yolanda T. Jacobs
Yolanda T. Jacobs is a Surveillance Data Coordinator for the South Carolina Department of Public Health. During her 40-year tenure, Yolanda’s roles have included administrative duties, contributing to Aggregate Reports for Tuberculosis Program Evaluation (ARPE) reporting, ordering and distribution of TB medicines, and supporting genotyping activities. These experiences have provided her with a vast knowledge of all things TB. Yolanda’s dedication, skills, and vigilance have done much to protect the community from TB.
- (Left) From top to bottom: Rushena Garner, Cassandra Perisee. (Right) From top to bottom: Krystal Sharp, Silvia Da' Silva, Sheena Roberson.
- Picture 1 - From left to right: Sherill Tinio, Iris Sablan, Linda Rafael, Marilyn Dela Cruz, Ester Gutierrez, Relida Sumaylo, Margarita Gay, Caridad Batangan, Remedios David, Erlina Camaganacan, Teresa Manalo, Lea Bolano. Picture 2 (Row 1) - From left to right: Chima Mbakwem, Marsa Meter, Lea Bolano, Herrold Templenza, Matthew Braganza; (Row 2) - From left to right: Alice Cuenca, Teresa Manalo, Ester Bilon, Juanenrico Santiago.
- From left to right: Andrea Gargani, Maria Tinoco-Manriquez, Laura Herrera, Tamam Jada, Kayli Braun, Dean Schraufnagel, Ashley Matese, Christopher R. Hoff, Ewa Bridgeforth, Gabriela Munoz, Lynn Pistorio. Not pictured, Nancy Buccelli.
- From left to right: April King-Todd, Tuberculosis Control Program; Pedro Mendez Ruiz, Tuberculosis Control Program; Julie Higashi, Tuberculosis Control Program; Melissa Zhang, Tuberculosis Control Program; Catherine Lapointe, Tuberculosis Control Program; Natividad Bustos, Tuberculosis Control Program; Felice Adler-Shohet, Department of Health Services; Annabelle Sasu, Department of Health Services; Kenneth Zangwill, Department of Health Services; Michael Bolaris, Department of Health Services. Not pictured, but additional members of the team - Sylvia Yeh and Keiko Yoshioka; Department of Health Services.
- Dr. Yates Lee, Saul Duran, Elna Nesbitt, Marlo Kelly, Chemeka Brown, Jill Roberts, Niairah Poole, My Nguyen, Jennifer Dimaggio, Duane Treybig, Guadelupe Luna, Patsy Guzman, Melissa Lucio, and Denese Carrera.
- Response teams include individuals from the following organizations: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Bureau of Tuberculosis Control, and Various Partners, including NYC Health + Hospitals, NYC Department of Homeless Services, NYC Office of Housing Recovery Operations, NYC Office of Housing Preservation and Development, New York State (NYS) Department of Health, shelter staff, clinical vendors, and others. Pictured: Alisa DiMaggio, New York City Health + Hospitals (NYC H+H); Shannon O’Shea, DocGo; Erica Silverman, NYC H+H; Joanavel Pascual, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH); Robert Riggs, NYC DOHMH; Gabrielle Corvese, NYC Department of Homeless Services; Dr. Andrew Wallach, NYC H+H; Dr. Julia Budde, NYC H+H; Dr. Anjna Ganatra, NYC H+H; Dr. Natoushka Trenard, NYC H+H; Dr. Caralee Caplan-Shaw, NYC H+H; Kathleen Blaney, RN, NYC H+H; Anthony Romano, NYC DOHMH; Lisa Trieu, NYC DOHMH; Julia Jimenez, NYC DOHMH; Magali Calderon, NYC DOHMH; Manda Dabovic, NYC DOHMH; Teresa Mark, NYC DOHMH; Maria Moreno, NYC DOHMH and CDC; Caroline Desmonts, NYC DOHMH and CDC; Bondaleah Fall, NYC DOHMH; Sergey Kurdenkov, NYC DOHMH; Carolina Pichardo, NYC DOHMH; Jasmine Carrero, NYC DOHMH; Isatu Toure Kaba, NYC DOHMH; Tetiana Kalika, NYC DOHMH; Edwin Barrera, NYC DOHMH; Jeanne Sullivan Meissner, NYC DOHMH ; Jenna Colliflower, NYC DOHMH and CDC; Eric Eason, NYC DOHMH; Mohammed Alam, NYC DOHMH; Christina Kaul, NYC DOHMH; Kit Voit, NYC DOHMH; Khadija Rahman, NYC DOHMH and CDC. Not pictured: Fanta Kaba, NYC DOHMH; Alice Easton, NYC DOHMH; Brittan Badenhop, NYC DOHMH; Rehema Korich, NYC DOHMH; Melanie Askari, NYC DOHMH and CDC; Christian Castro, NYC DOHMH; Khady Ndiaye, NYC DOHMH; Jessica Pineda-Bano, NYC DOHMH; Stacey Steward, NYC DOHMH; Debra Sheehan, NYC DOHMH; Albert Gyamfi, NYC DOHMH; Shayna Watson, NYC DOHMH; Gabreila Remigio, NYC DOHMH; Shawntaine Crumpton, NYC DOHMH; Dympna Roman, NYC DOHMH; Nonie Gillespie, NYC DOHMH; Carol Randall, NYC DOHMH; Francisco Arocha, NYC DOHMH; Adalgisa Gonzalez, NYC DOHMH; Leslie Balbi, NYC DOHMH; Arthuro Hughes, NYC DOHMH; Dr. Noelle Boma, New York City Health + Hospitals; and various other partners including NYC Office of Housing Recovery Operations, NYC Office of Housing Preservation and Development, New York State (NYS) Department of Health, NYC H+H and Health Department clinical and administrative staff, NYC shelter staff, clinical vendors, and others.
- From left to right: Eva Garcia, Dr. Sunita Lohiya, Lilian Trejo.
- From left to right: Dr. Orlando Ocampo, Dr. Maria Peachy L. Villanueva, Dr. Dennis Serrano, Dr. Redentor Asis.
- Top left photo: Williamson County and Cities Health District, Texas. From left to right: Lori Eitelbach, Susanna Thornton, Rosa Garcia, Kaitlin Murphee, Amanda Norwood. Top right photo: California Department of Public Health. From left to right: Amanda Le, Vanessa Fong, Melissa Ehman, Dorothy Hoang Reede, Pennan Barry, Chris Keh, Jennifer Flood, Juanita Velasquez. Center left photo: Florida Department of health. (Row 1) David Ashkin, Maria Gomez, (Row 2) Sindy Steinberg, Lori Johnston. Center right photo: Orange County Health Care Agency. Angelito Bravo, Ronald Daria. Bottom left photo: University of Florida. Michael Lauzardo, Stephanie Key, Karen Simpson, Stefani Nixon. Not pictured: Minnesota Department of Health staff: Blain Mamo, Hana al’Absi, Katie Stinebaugh, Mateo Frumholtz, Sarah Gordon.
- From left to right Corrin McMichael, Shelby Bafus, Jamie Peters, Amanda Burks; Matthew Lassen, Chris Skidmore.