DIS Recognition Day 2024
In honor of DIS Recognition Day, the California Prevention Training Center (CAPTC) – UCSF, is celebrating the essential life-saving work of Disease Intervention Professionals!
You and your colleagues are cordially invited to the inaugural Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) Greatest Of All Time (G.O.A.T.) Awards!
Don’t forget to invite fellow Disease Intervention Professionals!
Thank you and see you Friday, October 4, 2024, at 10 am PDT!
Since 1995, CAPTC’s Disease Intervention Training Center (DITC) has trained the nation’s disease intervention workforce, funded by the CDC. Our programs equip disease intervention professionals (DIPs) with skills in contact tracing, case investigation, and emergency response, focusing on HIV/STIs and other communicable infections like COVID-19 and tuberculosis. We develop innovative curricula and online training modules, supported by a team with decades of experience in STI/HIV services. Our training caters to both beginners and seasoned professionals, providing the knowledge and tools necessary for effective community support.
Greatest Of All Time (G.O.A.T) Award Winners
Alira Medel (she/her)
Health Program Manager- California Department of Public Health (CA)
DIS G.O.A.T. of Supporting Communities
Alira has been conducting disease intervention work for over 22 years, focusing on syphilis and HIV. Alira is motivated to continue to work in this field by a deep desire to make a positive difference in people’s life. As a DIS G.O.A.T, Alira has honed the skills of compassion, humility, non-judgment and respect.
Alira was nominated by her colleagues to receive this award for her unwavering commitment to decreasing congenital syphilis in her community. Alira is celebrated for her deep knowledge of surveillance, her curriculum development skills, as well as for serving as an empathetic and good-humored role model and visionary leader.
Bryan Hughes
DIS Advisor- California Department of Public Health (CA)
DIS G.O.A.T. of Linkage to Care
Since 1992, Bryan has had the pleasure to support his state and community as a DIS. Through Bryan’s career, Bryan has been able to learn and grow from working with many talented DIS, as well as through supporting individuals from different cultures and lived experiences. Bryan accepts this award on behalf of all his talented and fantastic colleagues who according to Bryan, too often operate in the shadows, not accustomed to being recognized, much less rewarded. In addition to being a DIS G.O.A.T., Bryan is a coach and mentor through the Advisership Program, an avid racer of remote-controlled Sprint cars and enjoys listening to his daughter who plays bass and guitar.
Bryan was nominated for this award by colleagues who celebrate Bryan’s commitment to client care, outreach to people experiencing incarceration, as well as Bryan’s work with DIS mentees. Bryan is also appreciated for the ability to empathize while delivering tough news, to be clear when teaching, and to truly connect with others.
Christina Boyles
Health Program Specialist I/Tribal Liaison- Office of State Epidemiology, Hawthorne (NV)
DIS G.O.A.T. of Harm Reduction
As a DIS focusing on harm reduction, as well as a Tribal Liaison, Christina is dedicated to public health equity for rural and tribal communities. Christina was nominated for this award by colleagues, who celebrate Christina’s invaluable work in extending essential DIS services to underserved communities. In particular, they highlight Christina’s commitment to fostering strong relationships with tribal communities and ensuring that rural areas receive the attention and care they deserve. Finally, Christina’s colleagues admire Christina’s ability to navigate the unique challenges of disease intervention work with grace and professionalism.
Connor Balderston
DIS Lane County Public Health (OR)
DIS G.O.A.T. of Partner Elicitation
Connor began his career as a DIS in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, conducting the important work of disease intervention while simultaneously finishing his undergraduate degree. Connor stays motivated in his DIS role by fostering connections with patients and external partners in other clinical spaces. He is also motivated by the satisfaction of breaking down barriers for patients that otherwise might not be able to navigate or access the care they deserve. One of Connor’s most cherished hobbies is playing the cello in an orchestra setting, which he has done for the past 18 years.
Connor was nominated for this award by colleagues who have seen him grow into an essential and trusted part of their team. Connor is admired by colleagues for his humility, work ethic, and is also appreciated by patients who boast about Connor’s empathy, respect and knowledge of STIs. As a DIS G.O.A.T. Connor is skilled at providing patient education about STI diagnosis, partner notification, treatment navigation and linkage to care and needed services.
Crystal Manuel
DIS Tohono O’odham Nation Health Care, Public Health Nursing Department (AZ)
DIS G.O.A.T. of Field Work / Field Notification
With over 22 years of experience at the Public Health Nursing Department, Crystal is one of two DIS staff who manages sexually transmitted infections for the entire Tohono O’odham Nation, the second largest tribe in Arizona, for which she is an enrolled member. Crystal is passionate about educating the community on STI prevention and loves to come up with fun and creative ways to engage people to attend their booths and presentations, making sure that people she engages find learning about health both enjoyable and impactful.
Crystal was nominated to receive this award by colleagues who appreciate Crystal’s positivity and ability to build rapport with community members. As a DIS G.O.A.T., Crystal makes every effort to ensure the patient and their partners are contacted, treated, and educated. As a DIS G.O.A.T. who navigates challenges of providing support to their community, Crystal is able to gain trust, which helps when completing and closing out many of the cases and ensures cases are treated. Crystal’s team is very grateful for the effort, dedication and hard work that Crystal provides to the Tohono O’odham Nation.
Jabette Franco
Communicable Disease Investigator/DIS Pinal County Public Health (AZ)
DIS G.O.A.T. of Linkage to Care
Jabette has worked as a Communicable Disease Investigator/DIS for 10+ years but has been working in the field of public health for the last three decades. Jabette is motivated to continue to conduct this pivotal work by a desire to increase access to care and services for the community. Jabette’s hobbies include camping, traveling, and spending time with family and grandkids.
Jabette was nominated by colleagues to receive this award because Jabette’s an invaluable member of their team and is one of the best case interviewers they have ever met. According to the team, Jabette has earned this award because of the ability to make every client feel heard, validated, and educated. Jabette’s team also applauds Jabette’s ability to wear many hats with grace and tenacity, including training staff, supporting with programmatic needs and being the go-to person to answer questions from others in the team.
Kimberly Matteson
Southwest Region Field Services Consultant- Office of Infectious Disease, Washington State Department of Health (WA)
DIS G.O.A.T. of Field Work / Field Notification
Kimberly is a recipient of this year’s Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T.) Award, in recognition of her dedicated work to supporting the health and wellbeing of rural communities. Kimberly’s passion and motivation to continue disease intervention work is rooted in personal experiences, particularly as a young mother who received kindness and support when she needed it most. Kimberly strives to be a source of support for others, believing that it takes a compassionate team to make a difference. Outside of work, Kimberly enjoys family time, especially with her granddaughter, and staying active through yoga, Pilates, and hiking the beautiful Pacific Northwest. This November, Kimberly will fulfill a lifelong dream to attend a yoga retreat in Peru.
Kimberly’s colleagues have nominated her for this award in recognition of her extraordinary dedication to supporting her clients and community, which was exemplified by her “literally saving one person’s life” and going above and beyond to supporting another client and their unborn child. Her commitment and compassion have been crucial, often being the only advocate between her clients and the lifesaving services they needed. Kimberly’s indispensable enthusiasm and dedication, make her a vital member of her team, and an unwavering advocate of clients who face stigma and neglect from the systems meant to support them.
Lawrence Sagadraca
Disease Control Specialist II- Office of State Epidemiology, Las Vegas (NV)
DIS G.O.A.T. of Field Work / Field Notification
Lawrence has been a Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) for two years and is driven by a strong passion for improving community health and preventing outbreaks.
Lawrence was nominated by colleagues for this award in recognition of the exceptional dedication and expertise in supporting disease intervention efforts. Lawrence’s colleagues celebrate Lawrence’s thorough approach to disease intervention and commitment to public health, which have made Lawrence an integral part of their team’s success. Lawrence’s contributions are invaluable, especially in maintaining high standards of service during critical times, making Lawrence highly deserving of this recognition.
Renata Moreno Perez
DIS- Lane County Public Health (OR)
DIS G.O.A.T. of Supporting Communities
Renata has been in her current role as a DIS with Lane County Public Health for almost 2 years and a half. She enjoys working in the STI field because of the opportunity to break down stigma with clients through honest conversations about sexual health. Originally from Leon, Mexico, Renata is bicultural/bilingual and prioritizes creating a safe space for Latinx community members to be open and ask questions about sexual health. Renata also advocates for clients when they are unable to navigate health systems due to language barriers. In her free time, Renata enjoys taking her dog, Chiki, to the dog park, going on adventures around Oregon, and taking long, extended naps.
Renata was nominated by her colleagues to receive this award in recognition of her dedication to helping support the needs of patients in her community. Renata’s colleagues celebrate her compassion and kindness when working with her patients, as well as her efforts to promote their clinic’s services and provide education about the importance of STI screening at community events. Renata is dedicated to helping people navigate partner notification and has also become a trusted member of her community, her team has no doubt their community is better off because of her efforts.
Maria Hernandez
HIV/STI DIS- Office of HIV & Hepatitis C Services Arizona Department of Health Services (AZ) DIS G.O.A.T. of Partner Elicitation
Maria has been an HIV/STI Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) with the CDC Foundation, contracted with the Arizona Department of Health Services, since 2022. In this role, Maria assists individuals with HIV/STI infections by navigating them to care, providing essential resources, and offering education in a safe and supportive environment. Maria is motivated to continue disease intervention work by a deep commitment to helping others and promoting sexual health, ensuring that clients receive the guidance and support they need for their well-being.
Maria was nominated to receive this award in recognition of expertise and commitment to improving care for individuals in correctional facilities; and being instrumental in building strong partnerships and opening doors to enhance services within the correctional system. Maria’s team celebrates Maria’s ability to navigate the complexity of providing care to people experiencing incarceration, as well as Maria’s leadership and initiative to strengthen relationship with correctional staff and healthcare providers. All of Maria’s efforts ensure that clients receive the quality care they deserve and will continue to have a lasting impact their team’s success and the well-being of those they serve.
Rachel Powell
Communicable Disease RN- Linn County Health Services (OR) DIS G.O.A.T. of Supporting Communities
Rachel has been a Communicable Disease Registered Nurse since January 2022. Initially unaware of public health during nursing school, Rachel has since developed a strong passion for the mission of public health, particularly in patient education. Rachel is dedicated to educating the community, especially underserved populations, in hopes of reducing disease transmission and destigmatize certain diseases and infections. Outside of work, Rachel is a busy mom of two young children who enjoys baking and going on Disney trips with her family.
Rachel was nominated for this award by her colleagues in recognition of her leadership and ability to help build the DIS knowledge of their growing team. She is celebrated for her expertise in disease prevention and public health, often demonstrating how to integrate disease dynamics and epidemiology through collaborative infection prevention and intervention efforts with community members.
Raven Sanchez
Communicable Disease Investigator- Disease Surveillance Program at Gila River Tribal Health Department in Sacaton (AZ)
DIS G.O.A.T. of Linkage to care
Raven is a member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe from Whiteriver, Arizona, and has been working for the Gila River Indian Community for just under a year. Prior to joining the health department, Raven worked in Behavioral Health for four years. Raven also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Global Health Studies from Allegheny College. In this current role as Community Disease Investigator, Raven enjoys the diverse challenges of the day-to-day work, finding fulfillment in educating others about various diseases. Passionate about education, Raven thrives on sharing knowledge with the community. Raven enjoys spending free time creating art, with oil painting and beading as favorite hobbies.
Raven was nominated by colleagues to receive this award in recognition of the extensive knowledge and advocacy around substance use, going above and beyond to address the highly intertwined obstacles which substances and STIs pose for the community. Raven is celebrated for the kind and proactive approach to doing DIS work, often providing clients with tools to support their recovery journey (coloring pencils, crayons, hygiene, business card to reach her, etc.), as well as championing the use of incentives for both prenatal and all other clients. Raven’s team celebrates Raven as a champion for addressing the high rates of syphilis and congenital syphilis in their community.
Renee Maldonado
Health Technician/Disease Investigator- Tohono O’odham Nation Healthcare Public Health Nursing Department (AZ) DIS G.O.A.T. of Partner Elicitation
Renee Maldonado is a member of the Tohono O’odham Nation Tribe from Ajo, AZ, and one of two DIS currently working in the Public Health Nursing Department. With 6.5 years of experience as a Health Technician and Disease Investigator, Renee focuses on managing syphilis cases within the Nation. Renee is motivated by a commitment to keeping the Native community healthy and informed about public health issues, emphasizing education, health promotion, and prevention efforts to reduce Syphilis cases, particularly congenital syphilis. Renee is pursuing a nursing degree to become a Public Health Nurse (PHN) and hopes to continue disease intervention work supporting Tohono O’odham Nation as a PHN. In Renee’s free time, Renee enjoys spending time with family and pets, coaching volleyball, softball, and t-ball, and exploring the beautiful desert landscape.
Renee was nominated for this award by colleagues in recognition of the invaluable work in conducting partner elicitation to ensure patients and their partners are contacted, treated and educated; efforts which have garnered Renee high treatment rates. Renee’s team celebrates Renee’s positivity, innovative ideas on ways to provide education to the community, as well as Renee’s efforts to ensure collaboration with other tribes, counties and the state. Renee’s team is grateful for the effort, dedication and hard work that Renee provides to the Tohono O’odham Nation.
Riley Roadifer
HIV Communicable Disease Investigator- Maricopa County Department of Public Health (AZ) DIS G.O.A.T. of Field Work / Field Notification
Riley has been a Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) with the Maricopa County Department of Public Health since March 2022. Driven by the motivation to address the barriers that prevent individuals from accessing essential care and education, Riley is dedicated to helping those who often lack access to vital services. The support and advice from colleagues also inspire him during challenging cases. In his free time, Riley enjoys camping and exploring the outdoors.
Riley was nominated for this award by his colleagues in recognition of his willingness to be a team player and provide assistance and training to fellow team members, as well as efforts to improving the process of data collection. Riley’s team celebrates him for his ability to step up and support fellow team members to ensure no opportunity is missed to provide disease intervention, recently supporting a new staff member to provide rapid testing and HIV/STI exposure notification in the field, leading to identifying a newly diagnosed client who was immediately linked to care.
Rylee McAllister
HIV/STI DIS- Arizona Department of Health Services (AZ) DIS G.O.A.T. of Linkage to care
Rylee has four years of experience as a Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS), including two years with Maricopa County Public Health and two years with the Arizona Department of Health Services. Passionate about her role, Rylee values the meaningful connections she forms with individuals, viewing each conversation as an opportunity to provide support and resources for their health journeys. She believes that building trust and fostering open communication can lead to positive change and is committed to creating a safe space for her clients. Motivated by witnessing clients gain confidence in managing their health, Rylee also enjoys traveling and has visited 45 out of 50 states, with plans to travel abroad next.
Rylee was nominated for this award by her colleagues in recognition of her unwavering dedication to her clients, for her willingness to go the extra mile to ensure clients achieve the best possible outcomes, as well as for handling challenging cases with determination and professionalism. Rylee’s team celebrates how deeply she cares about those she serves, her eagerness to learn, and her willingness to assist others, which they say make her an invaluable team player. Rylee is also celebrated by her clients, who express their appreciation for Rylee’s compassionate approach and exceptional care.
Samantha Tiburcio
HIV DIS- Maricopa County Department of Public Health (AZ) DIS G.O.A.T. of Partner Elicitation
Samantha has been part of the Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) program at Maricopa County since November. Her passion for this work is driven by a deep commitment to promoting health equity and improving the lives of vulnerable populations. Having witnessed the impact of stigma and misinformation surrounding HIV, she is dedicated to educating others and reducing barriers to testing and treatment. In her free time, Samantha enjoys working out and staying active.
Samantha was nominated for this award by her colleagues in recognition of her diligence to partner services and partner elicitation, her client-centered approach to her disease intervention work, and imaginative approach to conducting partner elicitation. Her team celebrates Samantha’s creative methods to finding partners, which have supported her in identifying clusters and others who are in need of testing and those who could benefit from testing and treatment.
Wanda Anderson
LINCS Contact Specialist- San Francisco City Clinic (CA) DIS G.O.A.T. of Harm Reduction
Wanda Anderson has been with the DIS program for nearly seven years. Wanda is generally driven by the wish to connect with others, and enjoys seeing others succeed. Wanda very much appreciates a team environment and gets excited when a group of people can pull together and cooperate in times of difficulty, or when challenged.
Wanda was nominated for this award by colleagues in recognition of Wanda’s dedication and hard work ethic, which lead Wanda to always striving to have the best outcomes for all patients of the San Francisco City Clinic. Wanda’s team celebrates Wanda’s positive attitude and solution orientated mindset, as well as Wanda’s client-centered approach to disease intervention and willingness to help clients and team members. Wanda is instrumental to the success of the San Francisco City Clinic and is an asset to their team!
Leia Lagman
DIS For Linkage to Care- Office of State Epidemiology, Reno (NV) DIS G.O.A.T. of Linkage to care
Leia was nominated for this award by colleagues in recognition of consistently going above and beyond in the role of DIS, providing unwavering support to the Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) team. Despite significant staff and programmatic changes, Leia’s team celebrates that Leia has remained a stable and committed force, ensuring that DIS work continues to be effective and impactful. Leia’s dedication, adaptability, and leadership have been instrumental in navigating these transitions, making Leia a deserving recipient of this recognition.