Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Diriba Gonfa

Philadelphia,NY

Summary

Accomplished professional with a robust background in public health and community leadership, notably with the City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health. Expert in disease surveillance and outbreak investigation, leveraging evidence gathering and critical thinking to guide impactful public health interventions. Demonstrated success in team collaboration and adaptability, driving initiatives that significantly enhance community well-being.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Diseases Surveillance Investigator II

City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health
11.2020 - Current
  • Conduct real-time monitoring and surveillance of communicable communicable diseases.
  • Collect, manage, and analyze disease incidence and prevalence data using epidemiological software and database - NEDSS.
  • Lead and coordinate outbreak investigations, identifying patterns of disease transmission and sources of infection.
  • Define the cases, conduct interviews, trace contacts for disease exposure, collaborate with healthcare providers, laboratories, and public health officials during outbreak investigations.
  • Perform statistical analyses to identify trends, risk factors, and disease determinants.
  • Generate reports, charts, and presentations to communicate findings to health authorities and the public.
  • Provide insights on emerging threats or increasing disease incidences to guide public health interventions.
  • Design and implement disease control and prevention measures, such as vaccination campaigns or public health advisories.
  • Collaborate with public health teams to develop policies, protocols, and educational materials to minimize disease spread.
  • Ensure compliance with state and federal reporting requirements for infectious diseases.
  • Assist with policy and guideline development for disease surveillance and reporting.

President

Oromo Community Organization of Pennsylvania
12.2016 - 01.2022

Lead the executive board and organization in developing and executing strategic initiatives aligned with the community’s needs.

Oversee organizational operations, ensuring adherence to the mission, vision, and goals of the organization.

Develop and implement long-term plans to address key community issues, including education, health, and economic development.

  • Initiate and manage community programs addressing critical local needs, including health awareness campaigns, educational workshops, and social services.
  • Supervise program coordinators and volunteers, ensuring successful execution and sustainability of initiatives.
  • Foster relationships with local stakeholders, including government officials, nonprofit organizations, and local businesses.
  • Advocate for policies and resources that benefit the community, engaging in dialogue with policymakers and civic leaders.
  • Spearhead fundraising efforts through grant writing, donor outreach, and community events to secure funding for organizational activities.
  • Oversee the organization’s budget, ensuring financial accountability, transparency, and proper allocation of resources.

Signal Support Specialist 25l

United States Army National Guard
02.2013 - 02.2021
  • Supported mission objectives by designing and implementing custom communication packages tailored to specific operational needs.
  • Enhanced communication capabilities by installing and maintaining signal support systems and networks.
  • Enabled effective communication among command staff by setting up, configuring, and maintaining tactical satellite systems.
  • Expanded professional knowledge base by attending advanced courses in satellite communications systems and emerging technologies.

Public Health Sanitarian

City of Philadelphia - Department of Public Health
07.2019 - 11.2020
  • Maintained accurate records of inspection findings, providing essential data for ongoing monitoring efforts and future policy development initiatives.
  • Conducted regular audits of internal processes to identify areas for improvement within the department''s operations.
  • Provided exceptional customer service when addressing public inquiries about environmental health-related topics or concerns raised during inspections.
  • Supported the development of departmental policies and procedures by contributing valuable insight from on-the-ground experience with sanitation inspections.

Science Technician

City of Philadelphia - Philadelphia Water
10.2014 - 06.2019
  • Enhanced research accuracy by conducting thorough laboratory experiments and documenting detailed results.
  • Developed strong communication skills by presenting complex scientific concepts clearly during meetings or conference presentations.
  • Improved overall lab safety by implementing and enforcing strict adherence to safety protocols.
  • Presented research findings at conferences, facilitating knowledge sharing with professionals from diverse fields of expertise.

Instructor

St. Mary University College
01.2006 - 01.2007
  • Promoted a positive learning environment by establishing clear expectations and maintaining consistent classroom management techniques (taught business math, microeconomics, statistics, and international trade).
  • Tracked student progress, frequently checking in with struggling students and identifying root causes of problems.
  • Initiated new learning methods, eliminating instructional gaps and improving comprehension.

Education

Ph.D. - Health Science

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy And Health Scie
Boston, MA
2023

Master of Science - Biotechnology

Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, PA
2012

Skills

  • Problem-Solving
  • Time Management
  • Problem-solving abilities
  • Multitasking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Evidence Gathering
  • Counter Surveillance
  • Policy and procedure understanding
  • Accurate incident reporting

Accomplishments

Philadelphia City Mayors Award for Community Engagement - 2021

Certification

Online Communities of Practices (CoPs) For Global Health Courses- USAID, Dec.2021  Philadelphia TB Contact Investigation Webinar Series- Rutger Global Tuberculosis Institute, July 2021

 Drug-resistant tuberculosis: How to interpret rapid molecular test results- WHO, Feb.2021

 Public Health Series 101: Introduction to Public Health Surveillance - CDC Train, Nov 2020

Timeline

Diseases Surveillance Investigator II

City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health
11.2020 - Current

Public Health Sanitarian

City of Philadelphia - Department of Public Health
07.2019 - 11.2020

President

Oromo Community Organization of Pennsylvania
12.2016 - 01.2022

Science Technician

City of Philadelphia - Philadelphia Water
10.2014 - 06.2019

Signal Support Specialist 25l

United States Army National Guard
02.2013 - 02.2021

Instructor

St. Mary University College
01.2006 - 01.2007

Online Communities of Practices (CoPs) For Global Health Courses- USAID, Dec.2021  Philadelphia TB Contact Investigation Webinar Series- Rutger Global Tuberculosis Institute, July 2021

 Drug-resistant tuberculosis: How to interpret rapid molecular test results- WHO, Feb.2021

 Public Health Series 101: Introduction to Public Health Surveillance - CDC Train, Nov 2020

Ph.D. - Health Science

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy And Health Scie

Master of Science - Biotechnology

Thomas Jefferson University
Diriba Gonfa