OasisLMS

Tuesday, Aug. 20
11 a.m.-noon

Skyler Brennan, MPH

Skyler Brennan, MPH has been the zoonotic disease epidemiologist at the Georgia Department of Public Health since 2019. She is responsible for surveillance of notifiable diseases transmitted from animals to humans, such as rabies and several bioterrorism agents. She also participates in emergency preparedness activities at DPH.

Dr. Julie Gabel

Dr. Julie Gabel is a medical epidemiologist with the Georgia Department of Public Health in the Acute Disease Epidemiology Section, where she serves as the State Public Health Veterinarian. With more than 25 years of experience in public health, she provides leadership and oversight for the Zoonotic and Vectorborne Diseases Epidemiology Team. Dr. Gabel brings a uniquely diverse clinical background to her work, having previously practiced small animal medicine and surgery for six years and worked as a human critical care nurse prior to pursuing veterinary medicine. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine and her Master of Public Health from the Emory University Rollins School of Public Health.

These speakers have no real or perceived conflicts of interest that relate to this presentation.

Brucellosis, caused by certain Brucella species, is a zoonotic bacterial disease typically transmitted through direct contact with infected animals, most commonly cattle, pigs, feral swine, and dogs, or by consuming contaminated animal products such as raw milk or undercooked meat. It is also one of the most common laboratory-acquired bacterial infections. During this webinar, epidemiologists from the Georgia Department of Public Health will discuss the epidemiology of brucellosis, laboratory investigation protocols, and best practices for preventing laboratory-acquired infections.

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At the conclusion of this session, participants should be able to:

• Describe the epidemiology, transmission routes, and public health significance of brucellosis, including common animal reservoirs and risk factors for human infection.
• Explain laboratory investigation protocols for suspected brucellosis cases, including appropriate specimen handling, testing considerations, and communication with public health authorities.
• Identify best practices for preventing laboratory-acquired Brucella infections, including biosafety measures, risk mitigation strategies, and recommended response procedures. 

The Georgia Hospital Association Research & Education Foundation is an approved provider of nursing home administrator credits as a professional trade association in long term care under Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 393-13-.02, (1) (a).  Approved for 1 contact hour. 

By attending Brucellosis: Recognition, Investigation, and Laboratory Safety Webinar offered by Georgia Hospital Association, participants may earn up to 1 ACHE Qualifying Education Hour toward initial certification or recertification of the Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) designation. Attendees who wish to have the hours applied toward ACHE Qualifying Education credit must self-report their participation by logging into their MyACHE account and selecting ACHE Qualifying Education Credit.