CDR John Gibbins, USPHS
CDR Gibbins served as an Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) officer at NIOSH from 2006-2008, where he deployed in support of several high-profile agency investigations, including an investigation of neurologic illness among swine abattoir workers, subsequently linked to exposure to aerosolized pig brains.
He also volunteered to deploy in support of Operation Pacific Partnership 2008 aboard the USNS Mercy. There he provided clinical veterinary services to the government and citizens of Timor Leste, as well as consultative services to the Ministry of Agriculture. He also served as an occupational health consultant for the Preventive Medicine Department OIC, and provided recommendations on improving working conditions at a cement factory and a coffee production plant.
CDR Gibbins also served as a vital officer in the success of the following 2009 missions: CONTINUING PROMISE, PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP, and ARTIC CROSSROADS. He dedicated over 50 hours in conjunction with other category members to develop Request for Information (RFI) documents for seven countries, and developed a master inventory list for pharmaceuticals and supplies. He served as a liaison officer with Army and U.S. Coast Guard personnel in both hemispheres for mission planning for both the 2009 and 2010 missions.
With all these attributes and contributions in mind, CDR Gibbins is well deserving of the award for Commissioned Corps Veterinary Responder of the Year.
CDR Jennifer Wright, USPHS
CDR Wright is currently assigned to CDC’s Outbreak Response and Prevention Branch (proposed) and serves as the OutbreakNet Team Lead. She obtained both a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Auburn University. She obtained her Master’s of Public Health degree from Emory University Rollin’s School of Public Health. CDR Wright entered the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) program in the summer of 2002, working primarily on influenza where her work led to a change in national recommendations for pediatric use of influenza vaccine. CDR Wright also participated in the response to the SARS and Monkeypox outbreaks. Following EIS, she served as the Study Director for the Anthrax Vaccine Research Program, a multi-million dollar, double blinded placebo controlled phase 4 clinical trial of the only licensed anthrax vaccine in the United States. She also served as the CDC lead for the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Anthrax Vaccine Work Group. Additionally, she served as the Veterinary Professional Advisory Committee chair during 2009. CDR Wright is highly deserving of the award for Commissioned Corps Veterinarian of the Year.
LCDR Casey Barton Behravesh, USPHS
LCDR Barton Behravesh is currently assigned to CDC’s Outbreak Response and Prevention Branch (proposed) and works as a Veterinary Epidemiologist on the Outbreak Response Team where she investigates outbreaks of enteric pathogens due to foodborne, waterborne, and animal contact. She has investigated numerous multi-state outbreak investigations including Salmonella infections associated with dry dog and cat food, contaminated chicken, produce items, reptile and live poultry contact, and peanut butter and peanut-containing products, and Escherichia coli O157 infections linked to ground beef and animal contact in petting zoos. Her work in the field of veterinary public health focusing on enteric disease outbreak investigations, surveillance, and control has made important contributions in the prevention of diseases transmitted between humans and animals.
LCDR Barton Behravesh obtained a Master of Science degree in Veterinary Parasitology and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Texas A&M University. She also obtained a Doctor of Public Health degree from the University of Texas Health Science at Houston School of Public Health. She is board certified in the American College of Veterinary Preventative Medicine. LCDR Barton Behravesh completed CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Program in 2006. She currently serves on the Veterinary Professional Advisory Committee. Because of her numerous contributions to the mission of the Corps, LCDR Barton Behravesh is highly deserving of the award for Commissioned Corps Junior Veterinarian Officer of the Year.
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HHS, Office of Public Health and Science |