Brandy D. Armstrong
West Virginia Department of Health
S. Charleston
14
years of professional experience
Demonstrated success in public health project and team management, including epidemiology, statistical analysis and literature reviews. Skilled in technical writing, surveillance and field research. Results-driven and proactive with a diligent, responsive and resourceful nature.
Work History
Flexible Disease and Surveillance Epidemiologist
1 Year 4 Months- Oversee infectious disease surveillance and reporting for OEPS.
- Oversee Reportable Disease Rule updates, postings, and sharing of information in collaboration with state.
- Cross-cover duties and assist program area epidemiologists with program expectations and deliverables as needed.
- Creates reports on epidemiological findings for epidemiologic program areas, regional epidemiologists, and local health departments.
- Analyzes epidemiological data to identify trends and inform public health initiatives.
- Reviews literature related to epidemiology and emerging health threats.
- Collaborates with healthcare providers, laboratories, and local health departments to improve reporting accuracy and timeliness.
- Leads annual data reconciliation and close-out.
- Monitor WVEDSS queues to ensure consistent flow among OEPS programs and identify issues.
- Evaluates and supports the enhancement of the West Virginia Electronic Disease Surveillance System.
- Developed an interactive monthly infectious disease dashboard for publication using Tableau.
- Provides training for local health departments on the West Virginia Electronic Disease Surveillance System and case investigation.
- Lead OEPS surveillance related meetings to facilitate collaboration efforts across surveillance programs.
- Rotates ‘Epi On-Call’ duties on a monthly basis.
- Reviewed and interpreted electronic laboratory reports.
- Member of the BPH Data Stewards Council to review and vote on data modernization initiative plan for the BPH.
- Member of and participated in the Data Standardization Workgroup for the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE).
- Develop training resources and education.
- Works with third party informatics vendor to map electronic laboratory reports.
- Identifies, troubleshoots, and helps resolve issues affecting electronic disease surveillance system performance.
- Leads surveillance standardization initiatives for the office.
- Monitor infectious disease case counts in WV.
- Notify program areas of category 1 diseases when applicable.
- Review and update website materials to support cohesiveness of OEPS surveillance and support LHD.
- Assists with backend website updates.
- Represent WV at a national level to the CDC and other states.
- Assist with threat preparedness and outbreak response as needed.
- Develop grant work plan and budget for ELC cross-cutting epidemiologist.
- Developed and optimized SQL Server queries to retrieve, analyze, and validate data.
Emergency Response Epidemiologist
3 Years 6 Months- Lead the state COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough project in collaboration with the CDC to produce two MMWRs related to the project.
- Lead outbreak epidemiologist for two regions in West Virginia.
- Provided outbreak management and infection prevention recommendations to public health stakeholders, improving outbreak response strategies.
- Developed and presented numerous trainings on case and outbreak management of COVID-19 to case investigators and local health departments.
- Developed and presented trainings on case and outbreak management of COVID-19 to case investigators and local health departments, strengthening local response capabilities.
- Developed, published, and updated protocols and procedures for outbreak response, contact tracing, and surveillance activities for hepatitis, COVID-19, mpox, and other infectious diseases, enhancing response effectiveness.
- Co-chair for HIV/Hepatitis C response taskforce.
- Oversaw Hepatitis A surveillance activities, ensuring timely case reporting, investigation, and data management.
- Developed training resources and education.
- Assisted with threat preparedness and outbreak response as needed.
- Developed training resources and education.
- Monitored WVEDSS queues.
- Assisted annual data reconciliation and close-out.
- Publications: Author affiliation to two separate Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports (MMWRs).
- Https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7206a3.htm
- Https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7224a6.htm
Vaccine Preventable and Respiratory Disease Epidemiologist I
6 Months- Coordinated with state influenza surveillance coordinator to prepare and publish weekly flu surveillance reports during flu season, enroll sentinel providers for ILINet reporting, compile virologic lab data, and assess geographic spread.
- Reviewed electronic lab reports and initiated case investigations.
- Reviewed electronic lab reports and opened case investigations as necessary
- Delivered targeted feedback to regional epidemiologists and local health departments on case investigation details and infection prevention/control recommendations to enhance local response efforts.
Regional Epidemiologist I
1 Year 7 Months- Assisted local health departments with case and outbreak investigations, enhancing response effectiveness.
- Collaboration with local hospitals, providers, labs and the state health department for the prevention and control of disease transmission.
- Provide training and technical assistance for local health department investigators (nurses, sanitarians, contact tracers, etc.) on our surveillance systems (ChexOut and NBS) and case investigation.
- Review cases and submit electronic notification to the state health department.
- Collaborated with local hospitals, providers, labs, and state health department to prevent and control disease transmission.
- Worked a full-time schedule of 40 hours per week in health department operations.
Epidemiology Investigator
1 Year 6 Months- Conducted case and outbreak investigations, contributing to local public health responses.
- Developed and presented infectious disease reports to board of local health, informing decision-making and policy development.
Health Unit Coordinator
3 Years 1 Month- Managed duties regarding emergency patient care, admission, transfer, and discharge, electronic health records charting, communication with healthcare professionals, patients, and families, monitored EKG strips, and assisted with infection control audits.
- Coordinated patient admissions and discharges, ensuring seamless workflow and communication among healthcare teams.
- Managed electronic health records with precision, maintaining confidentiality and compliance with regulatory standards.
- Facilitated interdepartmental communications to streamline patient care processes and enhance service delivery.
Public Health Sanitarian
9 Months- Inspected facilities such as restaurants, schools, daycares, pools, nursing homes, and tattoo parlors to ensure they meet health and sanitation codes
- Investigated complaints regarding food poisoning, sewage issues, mold, pests, or unsafe living conditions, ensuring prompt resolution and public health safety
- Enforced public health laws and regulations related to food safety, waste disposal, water quality, and housing
- Conducted environmental health assessments of homes, businesses, and public spaces
- Tested water supplies (private wells, public systems, recreational water) for contamination
- Educated public and businesses on sanitation practices, hygiene, and disease prevention, promoting safe environments and health awareness
- Responded to public health emergencies, such as outbreaks, natural disasters, or chemical exposures
- Reviewed plans and permits for septic systems, new construction, or food establishments
- Documented inspections and wrote reports to ensure compliance and legal accountability
Office Manager/Medical Assistant
3 Years 1 Month- Supervised five employees.
- Ensured efficient workflow and team collaboration.
- Assisted with payroll and timekeeping, contributing to accurate employee compensation.
- Performed front office duties including billing, coding, patient communication, scheduling, accounts receivable, and payable, facilitating smooth operational processes.
- Back-office duties such as patient triage, assisting physician with exams and charting. Patient care such as injections, phlebotomy, EKGs and vital signs.
Education
MPH - Public Health
- Incomplete
- Coursework: Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Research Methods, Public Health Administration, Environmental Health, Public Health Policy, Social and Behavioral Health.
- GPA: 3.4 GPA
B.S. - Biology
- Coursework: Human Anatomy and Physiology, Botany, General and Organic Chemistry, Physics, Calculus, Statistics in Science and Research, Psychology, Zoology, Life-span Development, Issues in Social Science, Ethical Practice, Personality, Abnormal Psychology, Immunology, Genetics, History Systems Theories Psychology, Oral Communication Skills, Research in Science, Pathophysiology, Seminar in Science, Issues in Medicine and the Environment, Scientific Writing
- Projects/Research: Measuring Colony Forming Units on the Surface of Apples Before and After Washing with Tap Water, Cleaning Vinegar, and Fruit Organic Wash.
- GPA: 3.2 GPA
Medical Assisting (NRCMA)
- Coursework: Medical Law and Ethics, Psychology, and Therapeutic Procedures, Integumentary, Sensory, and Nervous Systems, Patient Care and Communication, Endocrinology and Reproduction, Urinary, Blood, Lymphatic, and Immune Systems and Laboratory Procedures, Cardiopulmonary Systems, Vital Signs, Electrocardiography, and CPR, Health Insurance Basics, Claims Processing, and Computerized Billing, Muscular System, Infection Control, Minor Office Surgery, and Pharmacology, Digestive System, Nutrition, Financial Management, and First Aid.
- GPA: 3.6 GPA
Skills
Epidemic curve modeling
Data visualization techniques
Trend monitoring
Technical assistanttttttce
Program management
Case coordination
Attention to detail
Project coordination
Multitasking
Problem-solving
Data analysis
Analytical thinking
Accomplishments
Publications: Author affiliation to two separate Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports (MMWR's).
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7206a3.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7224a6.htm
Timeline
Flexible Disease and Surveillance Epidemiologist
West Virginia Department of Health
04.2025 - CurrentRead More
Emergency Response Epidemiologist
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation
10.2021 - 04.2025Read More
Vaccine Preventable and Respiratory Disease Epidemiologist I
West Virginia Department of Health
04.2021 - 10.2021Read More
Regional Epidemiologist I
Kanawha-Charleston Health Department
09.2019 - 04.2021Read More
Epidemiology Investigator
Kanawha-Charleston Health Department
03.2018 - 09.2019Read More
Public Health Sanitarian
Kanawha-Charleston Health Department
06.2017 - 03.2018Read More
Health Unit Coordinator
Charleston Area Medical Center
05.2015 - 06.2018Read More
Office Manager/Medical Assistant
Charleston Heart Clinic
04.2012 - 05.2015Read More
University of New England
MPH from Public Health
Read More
University of Charleston
B.S. from Biology
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Everest Institute
Medical Assisting (NRCMA)
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