About the Training

3/17/2020
9am-1pm (MST)

4-hour Webinar

Cost: Free

Register for Public Health Emergencies is closed.

Description

Participants of this training will develop a basic understanding of what asbestos is and become familiar with the history of the asbestos environmental public health emergency in Libby, MT. They will understand the roles of the EPA, CDC/ATSDR, CARD and the community within the Libby public health emergency and be able to apply lessons learned from the Libby experience to future public health emergencies.

Trainer Information

Jean Pfau, PhD

Dr. Jean Pfau received her Ph.D. in Microbiology/Biochemistry, but her post-doctoral training fostered her true passion for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, which became her research focus. In 2001, Dr. Mike Spence, the Montana State Medical Officer, requested assistance in the evaluation of anecdotal evidence for high rates of autoimmune diseases in Libby, Montana, and Dr. Pfau, faculty at the University of Montana at that time, was pleased to join the effort of expanding our understanding of the health effects of asbestos. Her colleagues in that effort included Dr. Curtis Noonan and Dr. Tony Ward. Nearly 20 years later, she has published over 60 peer reviewed papers and 6 book chapters, and has collaborated with researchers across the U.S. as well as in Western Australia, Canada, and South Africa. Currently a Senior Research Scientist at Montana State University, Dr. Pfau continues to work closely with the Center for Asbestos Related Diseases in Libby. She teaches undergraduate Anatomy & Physiology and Medical Microbiology, and graduate courses in Physiology for the WIMU Program in Veterinary Medicine.

Stephanie Shaw, Case Manager, Center for Asbestos Related Disease

Stephanie graduated from Montana State University – Northern, with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, and minor in Psychology. Prior to coming to CARD in April of 2019, Stephanie served in the Marine Corps for 8 years. She provides free care coordination through, smoking cessation counseling, depression screening, Pilot reimbursement submission assistance, collaborating with local providers and Pilot to request additional authorized services, and arranging benefits such as Medicare and Pilot. She also enjoys outreach and getting the word out about CARD and their services.  Stephanie spends her free time volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate and as a Design Team Member with the Lincoln Country Zero to Five Collaboration. Being born and raised in Libby, Stephanie is excited to put back into the community she loves and adores.

Tracy McNew, Administrative Director, Center for Asbestos Related Disease

Tracy started working at CARD in 2009 bringing experience in both nursing and nonprofit management. She manages the day to day flow of  clinical services as well as overall operations and resources at CARD. Tracy most enjoys outreach and research done to improve understanding of  Libby amphibole asbestos related disease and how it can be better treated and prevented in the future. Originally from New York, Tracy was trained as a nurse and received a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Binghamton University.  She later transferred to the University of Montana where she obtained her Master’s degree in public administration. Tracy truly enjoys the challenges of doing meaningful work in both healthcare and research at CARD.

Virginia Kocieda, Director of the Lincoln County Asbestos Resource Program (ARP).

The mission of ARP is to reduce the community’s risk of exposure to Libby amphibole asbestos found within the Libby Asbestos Superfund Site. She is a trained research scientist and a former American Association for the Advancement of Science, Science and Technology Policy Fellow. She has a Bachelor of Science in Biology, a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology, and completed two years of postdoctoral training at the NIH NIAID Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton, MT.

Karen Lee Morrissette, MD, MPH

MD from West Virginia University School of Medicine and MPH from John’s Hopkins University School of Public Health. Retired US Air Force Colonel residency trained in General Preventive Medicine and Aerospace Medicine. Physician at CARD since 12/2019.