The ability to use data relies heavily on having a workforce trained in epidemiology, data analysis, and data systems. Through funding support from the CDC Foundation and the CHCC Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) Program, CHCC was able to recruit an Epidemiologist in August 2020 after more than a year of the position being vacant. Epidemiologist Emily Haanschoten came to the CNMI CHCC with epidemiologic skills and knowledge in oral health and WIC program as an epidemiologist for maternal and child health at the Montana Department of Health and Human Services. At CHCC, Emily was responsible for planning, developing, implementing and evaluating a wide range of investigative and analytical activities; conducting routine and advanced-level epidemiological work comprising surveillance, data collection and analysis, identifies trends, outbreaks of diseases or other adverse health events. She focused on optimizing data management and analysis through automated processes and efficient coding. Ms. Haanschoeten relocated to the US mainland shortly after the start of FY2022. The vacant epidemiologist position was filled with Ms. Jennifer Dudek who was recruited in FY2022 and transitioned into leading on-going projects along with new ones.

An outline of staff members who contribute to data analysis and data systems for MCH include:

Epidemiologist: Jennifer Dudek, MPH.  has 12+ years’ experience in public health.  Ms. Dudek has extensive data management and analysis background and has provided technical assistance and training in the epidemiologic capacity in tribal communities.  Ms. Dudek is also skilled in designing, planning, and initiating epidemiologic studies, surveys, and investigations. Ms. Dudek has an MPH concentration in Epidemiology and a background in Microbiology.  Her technical Skills include SAS, SPSS, ArcGIS, Epi info.

State Systems Development Initiative (SSDI) Project Coordinator: Richard Sablan, BS. The SSDI Project Coordinator position is funded through SSDI grant funding. Richard has a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health Education from California State University San Bernadino. In 2019, Richard completed the HRSA/MCHB National Training Course on MCH Epidemiology in Charleston, South Carolina. The training course focused on statistics and epidemiological methods.

Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Data System Administrator: Vacian Pangelinan. The EHDI Data System Administrator position is funded through a federal award from the HRSA MCHB UNHS program. Mr. Pangelinan completed college coursework through Riverside Community College in California and completed certification in CompTIA A+. As the EHDI Data System Administrator, Vacian oversees the data linkages between the newborn hearing screening machines, EHDI database and the birth registry system out of the HVSO. Additionally, the EHDI Data System Administrator conducts data quality checks, generates hearing screening data reports, and works identify needed data system upgrades/updates. Mr. Pangelinan is cross trained in conducting newborn hearing screenings and often times provides technical support to hospital nursing staff when issues arise with the hearing screening equipment.

Immunization Information System (IIS) Coordinator: Jose (Ping) Santos. The IIS Coordinator position is supported through federal funding form the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Jose Santos completed college coursework in Computer Science and Technology from Stevens-Henager College and Boise State University in Boise, Idaho. He has worked for the past 8 years in Public Health, specifically focused on public health data systems and was formerly the EHDI Data Tracking and Surveillance and MCHB Systems Administrator. The IIS Coordinator is responsible for facilitating activities and project plans related to the CNMI’s implementation and utilization of the immunization registry, the WebIz. Mr. Santos provides oversight of data staff, oversees the maintenance activities of the registry, monitors data quality, generates data reports and tabulations, and works with various federal, national, and regional partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Immunization Registry (AIRA), and others.

Home Visiting Data Specialist: Jerome Ballesteros AAS, graduated from the Northern Marianas College on the island of Saipan with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Business with an emphasis in Computer Applications. The Home Visiting Project Data Specialist position is funded through the HRSA MIECHV grant award. Mr. Jerome Ballesteros has served as the Data Specialist since October 2017 and is responsible for maintaining the data collection systems and processed for the Home Visiting program. The position is responsible for monitoring and reviewing data collected as described under the Home Visiting data collections and conducts quality review checks and quality improvement projects to improve upon the program data collection processes and systems. Additionally, Mr. Ballesteros prepares summaries of statistical reports and other related MCH reports and tabulations.

Additionally, the CNMI CHCC has been able to leverage epidemiological support from the Pacific Islands Health Officers Associations (PIHOA).