Preventing epidemics & pandemics: Lessons learned
In this session, we will identify key principles of surveillance, biosecurity, emergency preparedness and response that work. We will learn key lessons in responding to COVID, HPAI, and foodborne outbreaks. We will also discuss concrete examples of One Health that can be applied to prepare for future emerging threats.
This session originally was presented at AVMA Convention 2024.
Dr. Becker’s career has evolved over the years, to achieve a natural balance between public and animal health sectors. In 2021, she was awarded the James Steele-KF Meyer One Health Gold-Headed Cane Award for her contributions to One Health demonstrating the interdependence of information sharing and collaboration between animal and human health sectors. She earned a BA from Brown University, a DVM from the University of Illinois’s College of Veterinary Medicine, an MPH from Johns Hopkins University and is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. Dr. Becker currently serves at USDA/APHIS Veterinary Services as the Area Veterinarian in Charge for Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia and Virginia with priority on preparedness and response to foreign diseases and ensuring animal health to support the U.S. export and import industry.
In July of 2023, Dr. Becker began a 3-year term as President of the American One Health Veterinary Society. From 1998-2000, Dr. Becker joined the CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Officer based in North Carolina with a focus on infectious disease investigation and response and surveillance during natural disasters such as the major hurricanes experienced during her EIS assignment at North Carolina’s Department of Health. Following the EIS, CDC detailed her to HHS’s Office of Global Health where she focused on global health policy, health systems performance measures, and the development of Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programs in China. Following the September 11th 2001 terrorist attacks and anthrax bioterrorism, she accepted a position as senior public health advisor to HHS’s Assistant Secretary for Public Health Emergency Preparedness. Dr. Becker was HHS’s primary lead for the Global Health Security Action Group which was created to combat intentional and naturally occurring health and security threats. When Avian Influenza was reported in Eastern Africa, she was detailed by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service to serve in USAID’s Africa Bureau to assist with the prevention and control of avian influenza as well as other zoonotic and livestock disease threats. From 2013-2018, she served as the Director of the Applied Epidemiology Staff within USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service’s Office of Public Health Science.
Before joining APHIS in 2021, Dr. Becker served as Director of the Office of Health Services for the Peace Corps, providing an opportunity to demonstrate how veterinarians can make an impact and lead in both animal and human health, before and during the COVID pandemic. Dr. Becker enjoyed the practice of veterinary medicine for several years and remains current on veterinary practice skills and licensure. She currently lives in Richmond with a son and black labrador Coconut and has a daughter who lives in Colorado. She enjoys the great outdoors during all seasons, physical fitness, travel, and spending time with family and friends.