Laura O. Rank
Queen Creek,AZ
Summary
Diligent public health professional with 12+ years of experience in program management, disease investigation, health communication, health education, and data management. An accomplished leader, skilled at leading high-performing teams, fostering trusted relationships, and problem-solving to achieve goals. Passionate about improving health outcomes through evidence-based practice, and health equality.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Case Investigation Team Lead
CDC Foundation for Arizona Department of Health Services
01.2022 - 03.2025
- Led a team of 12 disease investigators responsible for conducting Covid-19, enteric disease, sexually transmitted infections, product recall and emerging morbidity (e.g., Mpox, Ebola, H5N5) investigations for 15 jurisdictions and one tribal nation in Arizona
- Conducted quality assurance reviews and provided performance feedback and coaching to ensure consistent, high-quality investigations
- Trained and mentored new investigators and held monthly individual coaching sessions with all investigators
- Organized and facilitated daily team huddles and monthly team meetings to promote collaboration, resolve challenges and to celebrate successes
- Presented project updates and team successes to leadership and agency meetings
- Utilized databases such as MEDSIS, REDCap, PRISM, ASIIS, Contexture, Lexis Nexis to accurately capture and manage public health data
- Oversaw/conducted Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever medical records review for state reporting
- Collaborated with the University of Arizona Data 2 Care project to assist with reconnecting HIV positive patients back to health care services
Case Investigator
CDC Foundation for Arizona Department of Health Services
06.2020 - 01.2022
- Conducted over 1,000 Covid-19 and enteric case investigations, ensuring accurate data collection and compliance with public health reporting standards
- Obtained and documented detailed patient information and calculated isolation/quarantine periods based on exposure and symptom onset
- Educated patients about their infectious period and recommended guidelines for release from isolation
- Assisted patients in identifying close contacts and collected names of household and non-household contacts
- Assessed patient’s understanding and ability to self-isolate
- Problem-solved potential barriers and provided guidance on securing appropriate supportive services
- Demonstrated empathy, critical thinking, and cultural humility/competency with each patient encounter
- Trained and mentored new investigators; recorded and conducted mock interviews
- Developed written protocols for conducting case/contract tracing investigations
- Evaluated and edited investigation survey tool
ESL Instructor- Independent Contractor
VIPKID International
11.2017 - 11.2019
- Provided one-on-one full immersion English classes for school-aged Chinese students via an online platform
- Instructed students in the fundamentals of the English language to build skills in speaking, writing, reading, and writing
- Provided constructive feedback to instructors and parents to help improve proficiency and ensure continuous learning
- Resolved technical issues promptly to ensure seamless online communication
Newborn Hearing Screener
Pediatrix Medical Group
Gilbert, USA
06.2015 - 01.2018
- Administered automated auditory brain stem response (AABR) tests on newborn babies and documented results in electronic medical records
- Educated parents on hearing loss and early intervention programs
- Maintained medical and screening equipment in accordance with sterilization and disinfection protocols
- Abided by and enforced hospital policies and procedures including HIPAA guidelines to ensure patient confidentiality
Public Health Advisor/Health Communication Specialist
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
Atlanta, USA
09.2004 - 12.2011
- Provided guidance and technical assistance to state grantees related to work plan development, budgeting, resource enhancement, partnership development, and program evaluation
- Led health literacy initiatives, including development of web-based public health literacy course, editing communication materials for plain language and accuracy, and development/delivery of presentations at national conferences
- Provided social marketing consultation and communication planning support for CDC programs including development of marketing plans and audience profiles, conducting consumer and psychosocial research, and audience segmentation for tailored audiences
- Coordinated planning, production, and distribution of quarterly Division newsletter
- Served as contributing author and editor for a writing staff of ten
- Oversaw and directed government contractor in the design, production, and dissemination of final products
- Participated in emergency response efforts for H1N1 and Hurricane Katrina, including SWOT analysis and evaluation/development of public health education messages
Education
Master of Science - Health Sciences
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VABachelor of Science - Nutrition/Dietetics
East Carolina University
Greenville, NCSkills
- Transformational Leadership
- Public Health Education
- Data Management
- Program Management
- Training & Development
- Quality Control & Assurance
- Disease Investigation & Contact Tracing
- Health Communication & Literacy
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Performance evaluation
- Project coordination
- Coaching and mentoring
- Team building
Websites
Timeline
Case Investigation Team Lead
CDC Foundation for Arizona Department of Health Services
01.2022 - 03.2025
Case Investigator
CDC Foundation for Arizona Department of Health Services
06.2020 - 01.2022
ESL Instructor- Independent Contractor
VIPKID International
11.2017 - 11.2019
Newborn Hearing Screener
Pediatrix Medical Group
06.2015 - 01.2018
Public Health Advisor/Health Communication Specialist
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
09.2004 - 12.2011
Master of Science - Health Sciences
James Madison University
Bachelor of Science - Nutrition/Dietetics
East Carolina University
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