Region IV Public Health Training Center

The Prescription for Response: Hurricane Helene Emergency Coordination and Resource Management in Tennessee  Note: This is a recording of a live webinar held on May 6, 2025. Training Overview: In this presentation, you will learn about the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and its impact on Tennessee. We will highlight public health and medical response efforts, including critical deployable equipment and strike teams utilized during the disaster. Additionally, we will explore pharmacy-related planning and response topics addressed throughout the event. This session will also cover successes and lessons learned from the response, providing valuable insights to inform strategies for mitigating the impact of future disasters. About the Presenter: Paul E. Petersen, PharmD, MPH, CEM, is the Director of the Tennessee Department of Health’s Emergency Preparedness Program. Dr. Petersen serves as lead in Tennessee’s response to all public health and medical emergencies. Tennessee has experienced a wide range of threats and public health emergencies requiring decisive action by program staff, health care coalitions, and other response partners. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he also served as the interim Director for the Vaccine-Preventable Disease and Immunization Program.   Originally from California, he earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree a the University of the Pacific Thomas L. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in 2001. Dr. Petersen completed his PGYI Pharmacy Practice Residency at Saint Thomas Hospital in Nashville where he also served as the Clinical Operating Room Pharmacist prior to his move to state government in 2005. He completed his Master of Public Health degree from East Tennessee State University in 2022. He serves on various national preparedness policy committees including work with the National Academies, National Emergency Management Association, and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. He is also an active member of several professional public health and pharmacy associations including the 2025 President of the Nashville Area Pharmacists Association.  CERTIFICATE:  The course contains two modules: a module to access the webinar and an evaluation module. After accessing the two modules, learners will earn a certificate of completion. When the certificate is available, learners will see a Certificate button on their dashboard. This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UB6HP31680, Public Health Training Centers for $4,348,992. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. Read more

Note: This is a recording of a webinar held on January 27, 2020. Training Overview This webinar will explore the role of stigma and how it interacts with the disease of addiction. Addiction is a chronic medical condition characterized by relapses and remissions that is often misunderstood, unrecognized and seldom appropriately treated. We shall examine stigma from three perspectives. First at the level of the individual, where the shame and guilt of addiction keeps the person suffering from a substance use disorder from self-identifying as in need of treatment and appropriately accessing resources. Second, at the level of the family and friends, stigma can prevent advocating for their loved ones as well as keeps the patient in the shadows. And finally at the level of the society stigma may lead to failure in effective treatment policy, denial of services, discrimination and marginalization of our patients.  The course contains two modules: a content module and a resources and evaluation module. After accessing both modules, learners will earn a certificate of completion. When the certificate is available, learners will see a Certificate button on their dashboard. This recording is approximately 90 minutes. There are no prerequisites. Participants will need a broadband internet connection (Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred browsers) and computer speakers. For technical support, please contact [email protected]. About the Trainer Navjyot Bedi, MD is the Medical Director and Senior Addiction Psychiatrist at Talbott Recovery in Atlanta, Georgia. He started at Talbott back in 2006 as a Staff Addiction Psychiatrist. Since that time, he has been a valuable part of the treatment team in the addiction/co-occurring psychiatric disorders treatment programs at Talbott Recovery, and particularly with the Professionals Program. He obtained his medical degree from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi where he also completed his internship and residency. He completed psychotherapy training at the Philadelphia Society for Psychoanalytic Psychology.  He then completed a residency in Psychiatry at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania where he served as Chief Resident in the Department of Psychiatry.  Subsequently he became a Fellow in Addiction Psychiatry at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.  This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UB6HP31680, Public Health Training Centers for $4,348,992. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. Read more

The Story Behind the Numbers: Understanding the Art of Narrative Construction in Public Health Note: This is a recording of a live webinar held on October 21, 2025. Training Overview: Discover the power of storytelling as a tool for public health impact. In this interactive session, participants will explore the key elements of compelling stories that resonate with diverse audiences, while learning to navigate ethical and cultural considerations such as consent, dignity, and stigma when integrating local narratives. The webinar will also guide participants in building a mini logic model to connect storytelling efforts to measurable outcomes, equipping them with practical tools to assess impact and strengthen community engagement.    About the Presenter: Lamarr Lewis, is a dedicated advocate, author, and agent of change. With a focus on community-based mental and public health, he works with diverse groups including individuals living with psychiatric disabilities, people in recovery from substance abuse, and at-hope youth (He does not use the term at-risk).  His career spans over twenty years with experience as a therapist, consultant, public speaker, facilitator, trainer, and human service professional. Lamarr integrates restorative justice principles into his work, fostering accountability, healing, and equity in the communities he serves.  He is an alumnus of Wittenberg University graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with minors in Africana Studies and Religion. He later received his master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Argosy University.  He has been a featured expert for such organizations as; Boeing, Region IV Public Health Training Center, Fulton County Probate Court, Mississippi Department of Health, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, ASTHO, NNPHI, and many more.  His lifelong mission is to leave the world better than how he found it. CERTIFICATE:  The course contains two modules: a module to access the webinar and an evaluation module. After accessing these modules, learners will earn a certificate of completion. This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UB6HP31680, Public Health Training Centers for $4,348,992. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. Read more

Note: This is a recording of a webinar held on February 4, 2016. Training Overview According to the CDC, "in May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infection in Brazil. The outbreak in Brazil led to reports of Guillain-Barre syndrome and pregnant women giving birth to babies with birth defects and poor pregnancy outcomes." Since then, active Zika infections have been identified in Central America and the Caribbean. Cherie Drenzek, DVM, MS, State Epidemiologist, Georgia Department of Public Health will provide an overview of the Zika virus and its spread, including, what it is, how it's transmitted and who it affects. Dr. Drenzek will also discuss how to protect against Zika and how health departments can prepare to recognize, manage and report Zika infections and communicate prevention measure to the public. The course contains two modules: a content module and a resources and evaluation module. After accessing both modules, learners will earn a certificate of completion. When the certificate is available, learners will see a Certificate button on their dashboard. This recording is approximately 90 minutes. There are no prerequisites. Participants will need a broadband internet connection (Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred browsers) and computer speakers. For technical support, please contact [email protected]. About the Trainer Dr. Cherie Drenzek grew up in Detroit, Michigan and received her bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences and her Master’s degree in Food Microbiology from Wayne State University in Detroit. She attended Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine and received her DVM in 1995; the same year, she entered the Epidemic Intelligence Service program at CDC and was stationed in the Rabies Section. Following EIS, Cherie was employed as an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UB6HP31680, Public Health Training Centers for $4,348,992. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. Read more

Think TB: Raising Tuberculosis Awareness and Enhancing Public Health Practices  Note: This is a recording of a live webinar held on April 2, 2025. This webinar was in partnership with the Southeastern National Tuberculosis Center (SNTC) and the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health. Training Overview: Join our upcoming webinar to enhance your knowledge of tuberculosis and its implications for public health practice. This session is designed to help public health professionals recognize transmission risks, understand local and national epidemiological trends, and explore the significance of treatment burden and compliance. Learn the critical role of collaboration with state TB programs in effectively managing and preventing TB in your communities. Equip yourself to be a key player in the fight against tuberculosis. About the Presenters: Maria Lasley, BSN, RN, is a Nurse Consultant for the Southeastern National Tuberculosis Center (SNTC). As a consultant, Maria is involved with planning, developing, conducting and evaluating TB-related trainings. She provides technical assistance, nursing consultation, mentoring, and education on TB nursing practices and case management, as well as facilitates the exchange of information between internal and external medical providers, state and territory TB programs, local community health departments and laboratories.  Maria is a self-motivated professional and demonstrates initiative with a focus on meeting or exceeding intended goals.  Pamela Nelson, BSN, RN, is the Regional Nursing Consultant and Area TB Coordinator for the Florida Department of Health (FDOH). Pamela has over 20 years of nursing experience with advanced training in tuberculosis, as well as emergency response and management. She is a member of the Florida Nurse Association and has received a number of honors and awards related to her work with tuberculosis and the state of Florida.   Amy Painter, BSN, RN, is the TB Division Director for the South Carolina Department of Public Health (SC DHEC). As the division director, she monitors and guides TB Control program activities to ensure compliance with state, federal, and local laws and regulations and with epidemiologic trends and grant deliverables. Amy is a self-starting, goal-oriented strategist whose confidence, perseverance, and vision promotes success. She has over twenty years of public health experience in a variety of programs and brings front-line nursing knowledge.  CERTIFICATE:  The course contains two modules: a module to access the webinar and an evaluation module. After accessing the two modules, learners will earn a certificate of completion. When the certificate is available, learners will see a Certificate button on their dashboard. This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UB6HP31680, Public Health Training Centers for $4,348,992. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. Read more

Note: This is a recording of a webinar held on December 9, 2019. Training Overview Change can be scary. It involves terrible things like the unknown, discomfort, work, and losing control. It can also be an opportunity for discovery, growth, creativity, and letting go. In fact, these things are often two sides of the same coin. So how can we make the most out of a world where so much is constantly in flux? How can we move forward and be productive when we never seem to have enough information or time to make the right decision? Instructor Shana Merlin will be pulling tools from the world of improvisational theater, where change is happening constantly in front of a live audience. We will take a look at what our internal response is to change and see if we can shift it into something more productive. Like a good improviser,  participants will learn how to recover quickly from unexpected events, be curious about the unfamiliar, be flexible in response to new information and start things without knowing exactly how they will end. The course contains two modules: a content module and a resources and evaluation module. After accessing both modules, learners will earn a certificate of completion. When the certificate is available, learners will see a Certificate button on their dashboard. This recording is approximately 90 minutes. There are no prerequisites. Participants will need a broadband internet connection (Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred browsers) and computer speakers. For technical support, please contact [email protected]. About the Trainer The Founder of Merlin Works, Shana Merlin is one of the most experienced and effective improv-based trainers in Texas. Shana is a lecturer in the College of Medicine Texas A&M University and an associate at the Center for Health Communication at the University of Texas.Presenting and performing nationwide, some of her clients have included Dell, T-Mobile, Silicon Labs, The University of Texas and Deloitte. Winner of “Best Improv Teacher” in Austin from the Austin Improv Collective, Shana founded Merlin Works, in 2003 to provide custom training, interactive presentations, and comedy shows to businesses and organizations using improvisation.  Some of her most requested fun, interactive programs are on the topics of team building, communication, sales, persuasion, leadership, making meetings matter, medical communications, and creativity.  This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UB6HP31680, Public Health Training Centers for $4,348,992. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. Read more