The Immunization Branch announces a new section reorganization and several staff updates since the last issue. An overview of the new section structure is below.

*Clinical and Policy Support (formerly Technical Assistance)
*Influenza Preparedness and Response (formerly Bioterrorism Preparedness)
*Information and Education
*Registry and Assessment NEW!
*Vaccine Management and Field Services (formerly Field Services)
*Vaccine Preventable Disease Epidemiology and Control (formerly SIRE)

Juliet Rafol joined the Branch as the new Assistant Branch Chief. Juliet served previously as Section Chief for the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch (CLPPB) and Assistant Branch Chief of the Microbial Diseases Laboratory Branch (MDL). Juliet also worked for 13 years with the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) in the California Environmental Protection Agency.

Steve Nickell, PhD, formerly the Branch’s Research Coordinator, is now the Acting Chief for the new Registry and Assessment Section. Steve has been with the Branch since 2006, working with the VFC Program. Previously, he served as Coordinator of the California Adult Hepatitis Vaccine Project. An immunologist by training, Steve ran an NIH-funded academic research program at Johns Hopkins and the University of New Mexico for 13 years before becoming head of the Immunization Program for the State of New Mexico in 2002. He received his BA degree in Microbiology from the University of California, Berkeley and his PhD in Infectious Disease Epidemiology from Johns Hopkins University.

Harvey Kayman, MD, MPH, is the new Acting Chief of the Influenza Preparedness and Response Section. Dr. Kayman has many years of experience in public health positions in California and South Carolina. He has also served as a pediatrician in the US Army and for Kaiser Permanente. He was educated at Cornell University, the University of Chicago, and UC Berkeley, where he serves on the faculty of the School of Public Health.

Laurie Hauer, RN, MPA, joins the Branch after working with communicable diseases in hospital and public health settings. Most recently, Laurie worked at Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency where she co-managed federal, state, and locally funded programs to improve and expand outpatient HIV care. Laurie will assist the Influenza Preparedness section in developing infection control guidances for hospitals, local health departments, and other congregate living settings.

Julie Hamilton is a new Health Program specialist with the Influenza Preparedness Section. Julie has 17 years experience in emergency medicine, fire service, and disaster response and was a unit leader in the Hurricane Katrina response team in New Orleans. Her last position was Quality Improvement and Data Coordinator for the Emergency Medical Services Authority in Sacramento. She is a trained paramedic.
Leona O’Neill, formerly a Branch Staff Services Manager I, has been promoted to supervisor in the Operation Support Unit. Her new role is to oversee the day-to-day administrative operations in the Branch and coordinate the functions of office staff and contract analysts. She will manage and coordinates the local assistance contracts including personal services contracts and interagency agreements.

AJ Ramsey joins the Branch as VFC Rep for Northern California. AJ worked previously as Immunization Coordinator at CommuniCare, directing immunization services at three clinics. He also assessed and provided immunizations, and conducted outreach to Yolo County migrant workers.

Christina Sadorra, formerly a VFC Rep in the Bay Area, has moved into the Junior Field Rep position in the Bay Area. Seless Barnes has moved from the Northern California VFC Rep position to the Bay Area. Augustine Yoo from the Richmond office filled a second Bay Area VFC Rep position.