Public Health Education

JENNIFER EBIRERI AKPO

Phone No: 916-***-****

E-mail: *************@*****.***; ***************@*****.***

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Summary

I am a public health professional focusing on public health leadership, epidemiology, health improvement, health education, and health promotion. I have over ten years of experience in public health focused on immunization programs, epidemiology, health education, and health promotion. I am interested in working in a challenging environment that promotes professional development and encourages personal growth through career advancement.

Education

Doctor of Public Health (Public Health Leadership): Georgia Southern University (2024)

Master of Public Health, MPH: University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK (2012)

Bachelors in human Physiology, B.Sc.: Delta State University, Nigeria (2010)

Certifications/ Trainings

Introduction to Incident Command System, ICS-100 by FEMA (2025)

Basic Incident Command System of Initial Response, IS-00200.c by FEMA (2025)

An Introduction to the National Incident Management System, IS-00700.b by FEMA (2025)

National Response Framework: An Introduction, IS-00800.d by FEMA (2025)

Publications

Ebireri. J., Aderemi, A.V., Omoregbe, N., Adeloye,D. (2016). Interventions addressing risk factors of ischemic heart disease in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review. BMJ Open;6: e011881. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-201*-******. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/6/7/e011881

Adewoye, A., Akpo, J.E., Opoku, S.T. (2022). Substance use & mental health: Challenges and the way forward amidst COVID-19 Pandemic. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N4nju6gz1-jjlTsv8pOvU-4e63157T9J/view?usp=sharing

Akpo, J.E., Adewoye, A., Opoku, S.T. (2022). Telemedicine Use in Rural America: Building on Current Momentum. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1x6pYIb6W_IdKMxqOT1nbNpHzrtfyEDit/view

Shafik, N.; Akpo, J.E.; Waterfield, K.C.; Mase, W.A. COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy in Autoimmune Disease Patients: Policy Action and Ethical Considerations. Vaccines 2023, 11, 1283. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11081283

Akpo, J. E., Murphy, C., Mull, J., Gaillard, T., Bilello, L.A., & Webb, F.J. (2024). Engaging with social media: Implications for COVID-19 research participation among adults living in the state of Florida. Journal of Community Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-024-01409-7

Akpo, J.E., Opoku, S., Apenteng, B., & Mase. (2024). Perceptions of Telemedicine in The United States: Are there racial/ethnic differences? Telemedicine and e-health. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2024.0471

Akpo, J.E., Opoku, S., Apenteng, B., & Mase. (2024). Examining Relationship between Discriminated Medical Care and Telehealth Use in the United States. Accepted for Publication by the Journal of Telehealth and Medicine Today on 6/30/25.

Peer Reviewer- Telemedicine & e-health Journal (2025)

Doctoral Internship- University of Florida Health- Center for Health Equity & Engagement Research (CHEER) (January-April 2024)

Involved in data analysis of the Florida State Registry for Aging Studies

Involved in developing and submission of manuscripts.

Involved in the Equity Action Lab $design to improve the mental health of Floridians.

Involved in data analysis of the effectiveness of a self-monitored blood pressure intervention in urban community clinics.

Adjunct Professor- South Texas College (2021-present)

Lecture in the Medical and Health Services Management Department.

Develop syllabus and overall course structure and administer grades.

Participate in professional development courses.

Provide timely, quality student access through electronic communication and other appropriate methods.

Evaluate students by various means to measure their progress in achieving course objectives and inform them promptly of their progress.

Maintain professional and consistent communication with Department Chairs and staff.

Epidemiologist/COVID-NET Coordinator at New Mexico State Department of Health- CDC Foundation (November 2021-present)

Engage in grant writing processes that lead to grant approval for the New Mexico RESP-NET program

Assist with planning and conducting investigations on COVID-19

Transmitting COVID-NET data to the CDC weekly

Supervise the surveillance officers responsible for case ascertainment and completing CRFs

Organize and coordinate weekly meetings

Attend the RESP-NET meetings organized by the CDC monthly

Implement and maintain disease surveillance on COVID-19 hospitalizations.

Maintain relationships with infection prevention preventionists (ICPs) and receive updates from ICPs of various hospitals.

Process and analyze data on changes in trends of COVID-19.

Work collaboratively with stakeholders.

Provide recommendations for quarantine/isolation procedures and travel screening based on the CDC guidelines.

Conduct data analysis for the New Mexico DOH Discharge Follow-Up Project (DFUT)

Research special projects related to COVID-19

Work on any other assigned duties

Epidemiologist Investigator at Harris County Public Health Department- CDC Foundation (August 2020- 2021)

Conducted community disease surveillance, including targeted active surveillance.

Trained and taught new hires about COVID-19-related death investigations.

Provided appropriate prevention, control, and educational activities on COVID-19.

Prepared morbidity case investigations for surveillance reporting.

Provided analysis of morbidity data.

Participated in COVID-19 investigations and provided intervention for epidemic or unusual community health-related episodes or outbreaks.

Provided information related to preparedness and other public health issues.

Maintained and enhanced current surveillance system within Harris County Jurisdiction and maintained relationships with hospital infection control preventionists, school health care coordinators, and nurses to promote reporting of Texas notifiable conditions.

Involved in special tasks, such as responding to emergency events.

Staff Epidemiologist- City of Houston (2020)

Conducted field investigations and surveillance of disease and bioterrorism-related activities.

Collected, evaluated, and analyzed data from investigations and surveillances. Present findings and compile reports for review by the supervisor.

Maintained and updated disease surveillance database on COVID-19.

Analyzed trend indicators of potential emergency public health events.

Represented the Epidemiology Bureau in meetings and communications with committees, task forces, assigned facilities, and other organizations to encourage timely disease reporting and promote other interests of the Bureau/Department.

Served as a resource person in the area of expertise within the Bureau of Epidemiology.

Outreach Counselor: Maximus Inc (2020)

Conducted outreach, including phone calls, home visits, and community presentations in the field by project policy and procedures. I was responsible for a specific geographic area and related tasks for that area.

Conducted one-on-one and group outreach presentations to recipients and community members within a specific territory.

Presented program education and enrollment options to recipients to encourage recipient action. Identified, developed, built, and maintained positive relationships with county staff, state agencies, and community/faith-based groups to enhance presence in the community.

Identified, solved, and escalated unresolved issues and concerns to management immediately and regularly.

Established and maintained knowledge of the community and participated in community events, health fairs, and other activities as needed.

Responsible for documenting activity in automated systems and reporting outcomes on a daily/ weekly basis. Responsible for ensuring the confidentiality of client information.

Assisted other Outreach Counselors and other team members with management and completion of daily duties to ensure compliance with contract standards and requirements.

Documents Reviewer: Epiq Global (2018- 2019)

Reviewed and analyzed documents.

Interpreted and analyzed data.

Assisted with special projects and collaborated with other departments as needed.

Assumed other responsibilities as needed to support the talent development team.

Working knowledge of Relativity 9 software.

Substitute Teacher: Fort Bend ISD (2019-2020)

Followed lesson plans provided by the regular teacher to create a cohesive and consistent learning experience for students.

Managed the classroom effectively to encourage student participation, minimize distractions and maintain a positive learning environment.

Adapted teaching methods to fit the needs of each individual student.

Supervised students in and out of the classroom, including in the halls, on the playground and in the cafeteria.

Provided in-class and at-home assignments based on the available lesson plan.

Public Health Specialist: National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Nigeria (2014-2018)

Coordinated a wide range of health education services in communities, including establishing effective referral and publicity systems, monitoring quality and documentation, and facilitating the use of community services to promote the delivery of cost-effective health education services.

Provided direct group or one-to-one health education services within communities.

Coordinated health information projects such as program catalogs, newsletters, informational displays, community health events, etc.

Prepared reports, proposals, and documentation as assigned.

Planned and implemented activities to promote health education and health promotion within communities.

Researched, identified, and supervised the development of educational materials for public health and immunization programs.

Coordinated and conducted training for paraprofessional staff, youth, and volunteers in developing, conducting, and evaluating program activities.

Assigned work and directed other staff, youth, and volunteers in health education programs.

Supervised provision of direct educational services; provided services such as presentations and training to community coalitions and other groups.

Supervised routine immunization.

Planned and organized health events to promote immunization for preventable diseases in children.

Conducted immunization education monthly to increase awareness of vaccine-preventable diseases in children.

Worked with physicians and primary health centers to provide education and interventions to increase the use of best vaccine storage and handling practices.

Conducted monthly audits and quality assurance checks after every immunization program to ensure proper implementation.

Encouraged and Enlightened community members on the importance of Routine Immunization (RI),

Organized and coordinated meetings at the state level.

Planned the target population to be vaccinated for various communities based on research conducted.

Ensured supervisory and logistic plans were available at the communities.

Provided guidance and technical support to resolve management challenges faced within communities.

Ensured adequate supervision and deployment of teams based on updated micro plan.

Made recommendations where necessary for additional teams to be hired.

Administrative Officer: Ultimate Engineering Consultants, Abuja, Nigeria (2013-2016)

Prepared reports and presentations assigned.

Arranged travel and accommodations for staff.

Disbursed and stored office correspondence.

Organized office meetings and schedules.

Represented the company for official meetings.

Organized a filing system for office documents.

Prepared and planned company’s goals, objectives, and criteria for management processes.

Provided general administrative support.

Coordinating Assistant: Diabetes and Hypertension Help Society, Abuja, Nigeria (2010-2011)

Counseled and advised people on risk factors associated with diabetes and hypertension and how these chronic conditions can be prevented and adequately managed.

Health risk assessment on diabetes and hypertension.

Conducted vital sign examinations of people, i.e., blood sugar tests, blood pressure checks, and Body Mass Index (BMI).

Organized and conducted health outreach and sensitization programs on diabetes and hypertension in high schools, corporate establishments, shopping centers, and communities.

Analysis and Interpretation of data.

Associations

Member, American Public Health Association (APHA)

Conferences

2020 Virtual One Health Conference- Hosted by Harris County Public Health (October 20 and 22, 2020)

Region V1 Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Virtual Health Submit (October 29-30, 2020)

Presented at the APHA 2022 Conference on “Disparities in the use of Telemedicine among Immigrants during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Poster Presentation at the GPHA 2023 conference on “Telemedicine and parental frustration in accessing pediatrics care.”

Council for State and Territorial Epidemiologists annual SO meeting (May 14-15, 2024)

Poster Presentation at APHA 2024 Conference on “Effectiveness of a Self-monitored Blood Pressure Intervention in Urban Community Clinics.”

Poster Presentation at NIH Network of Minority Health Research Investigators South Region Workshop 2024 on “Interest in Research Participation among Adults from Culturally Different Populations living in Florida: Findings from the Florida Statewide Registry for Aging Studies (FSRAS)”

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