At a glance
In the videos below, hear from IETA alumni about their one-of-a-kind experiences and how IETA impacted their public health career.
Cambodia
Silvina Masciotra, MSc describes her experience working in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, as a lab advisor with the CDC country office. A research microbiologist, Masciotra welcomed the opportunity to learn and apply new skillsets while on her IETA field assignment including how to advise local authorities.
Georgia
Alberto M. Santana, MS describes his IETA field assignment with CDC’s Georgia country office where he provided technical assistance and consultation to the National Center for Disease Prevention program. Santana welcomed the opportunity to apply his health communication skills in a global setting. He describes how he always had an interest in working in global health.
Kenya
Theresa Routh-Murphy, MBA, FAC-C III explains how she was able to leverage her expertise in contracts management in support of CDC’s KEMRI research platform in Kenya. Routh-Murphy recommends the IETA program to HHS employees of all professional backgrounds and describes the program as the best experience of her career.
South Africa
Emerson Evans, MPH talks about his experience as a CDC secondee to the U.S. Department of State’s PEFPAR Coordination Office at the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa. Working at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration as a Public Health Advisor at the time he completed the program, Evans describes IETA as an invaluable opportunity.
Ken Chen, MPH, MS, MBA describes his experience working in South Africa for CDC's Division of Global Health Protection. Chen explains that he initially thought that his background in finance would limit his opportunities to work internationally but this is not the case. Following IETA, Chen continues to work in global health at CDC.
Tanzania
CAPT Anna Satcher Johnson, a CDC epidemiologist, describes why participating in the IETA program was a life-changing experience for her. She completed her IETA field assignment with the Malaria Control Programme in Zanzibar where she applied her surveillance expertise. The experience instilled a new confidence in her both personally and professionally.
Uganda
Dr. Maestro Evans worked on Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcements and operations with CDC in Uganda. A clinical social worker by training, Dr. Evans had always wanted to work in global health. Since finishing the IETA program, he has gone on to work for CDC in Haiti, Rwanda, and Tanzania.
Zambia
An Executive Officer with the HHS Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, Natalia Cales, MPH, describes how she leveraged her policy and management background in support of the CDC Zambia office. She worked closely with the locally employed staff on major capital improvement projects. Cales shares the personal reason why IETA was so important to her.