Debra K. Olson, DNP, MPH, RN, Director and Principal Investigator
Ms. Olson has over 25 years of experience in the practice of public health and an extensive background in the delivery of public health academic and continuing education which allows for leadership both in the community and the University. She is Associate Dean for Public Health Practice Education in the School of Public Health, faculty in the Division of Environmental Health Sciences and chairs the major in Public Health Practice. Ms. Olson has extensive experience in the application of new information technologies and competency based curriculum development. She has published numerous articles relating to occupational and environmental health and the roles and credentialing of public health professionals.

Craig W. Hedberg, PhD, Co-Investigator
Dr. Hedberg is an Associate Professor in the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. His areas of expertise include foodborne, vectorborne and zoonotic diseases as well as surveillance and disease investigations. Dr. Hedberg joined the faculty with 20 years of public health experience in local and state health departments. He is widely published regarding outbreak investigation and the epidemiology of infectious diseases.

Mary Hoeppner, EdD, MS, RN, Evaluator
Dr. Hoeppner served as the Assistant Director for the Program in Continuing Education at the Midwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety and has 20 years of managerial experience in educational leadership and curriculum development. She was Program Manager of a nursing education consortium comprised of four tertiary care public teaching hospitals and guided curriculum development reflective of five care delivery areas to provide continuing education and competency development. She has also served as a community faculty member within the nursing department of a local university.

Susan C. Larson, MPH, RN, Coordinator
Ms. Larson is an Education Specialist in the Centers for Public Health Education and Outreach. Her responsibilities have included curriculum development and coordination of the Occupational Health Nursing Symposium, project coordination for the NIOSH and NIEHS Hazardous Substance Training program, and the development, implementation and evaluation of a variety of new and existing educational offerings, including the Public Health Institute. Ms. Larson is a graduate of the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, has worked professionally as a public health nurse, nursing faculty member of a local college and as a manager of client relations for an occupational medicine clinic.