Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists

06/19/2026

This Juneteenth, we celebrate the joy, resilience, and community of Black Americans. On this day in 1865, news of freedom finally reached Galveston, Texas — a moment of profound relief and a foundation for generations of strength. True freedom means the power to live a healthy life. Public health helps make that possible by building data, trust, and solutions that work for everyone.

To better understand the unique public health needs of Black Americans and turn acknowledgment into action, explore HHS’ Minority Health Index. This resource identifies communities where public health emergencies may have a disproportionate impact and adverse outcomes. tinyurl.com/2sbvtmv5.

06/16/2026

It’s time to give a huge round of applause for public health’s finest! Earlier this month at the 2026 CSTE Annual Conference in Boston, we announced all of our Annual Award winners. Today, we’re kicking off a series of posts to celebrate a few of those incredible honorees at a time. Huge congratulations to this inspiring group. See someone you recognize? Give them some kudos in the comments. And stay tuned: we’ll shout out more of this year’s winners soon!

CSTE Pumphandle Award: Linda Bell, MD, South Carolina Department of Public Health. This award recognizes an individual who exemplifies extraordinary contributions in the field of applied epidemiology.

Distinguished Leader Award: Sherri Davidson, PhD, MPH, Alabama Department of Public Health. This award recognizes a subcommittee chair, liaison, or consultant who has provided exceptional guidance and leadership.

Rising Leader Award: Hannah Cranford, PhD, Virgin Islands Department of Health. This award recognizes a member who has demonstrated leadership through excellence in inspiring others, navigating change, and/or improving policy.

Presidential Priorities Award: Kinley Reed, MPH, Wisconsin Department of Health Services. This award recognizes an abstract that reflects an outstanding contribution to key areas impacting applied epidemiology.

06/12/2026

More from ! We had a great time at the Public Health Museum in Tewksbury, MA—the nation's first museum dedicated to preserving public health history. Our visit took us through the people, policies, and innovations that shaped modern epidemiology, from early infectious disease control to today's data-driven surveillance. We wandered through exhibits, met with museum curators, and heard from our dear friend, Dr. Al DeMaria.

Many thanks to everyone who joined us — and to the museum for hosting. This was a wonderful way to connect our 75th Anniversary with the rich history of our field.

06/10/2026

Welcome and congratulations to our 2026-2027 CSTE Executive Board members! They are dedicated to helping achieve our mission to “advance the field of applied epidemiology to maximize health” and will lead our efforts to improve in communities nationwide.

This year’s officers are:
-President: Sarah Kemble, MD (Hawaii)
-Vice President: Kathryn Turner, PhD, MPH (Idaho)
-President-Elect: Zack Moore, MD, MPH (North Carolina)
-Secretary/Treasurer: Mary-Margaret Fill, MD, MPH (Tennessee)

Learn more about other members of the 2026-2027 CSTE Executive Board here: bit.ly/3RWSJVq. Help us welcome them all in the comments below!

06/10/2026

06/08/2026

As World Cup 2026 kicks off this week, check out a double header of resources that will get you match-ready: CSTE’s on-demand webinar series and new guidance for large-scale events.

First, past sessions of the "Integrating Applied Epidemiologists into World Cup Planning" webinar series are now available on-demand – watch anytime, anywhere: tinyurl.com/79pvccfv. Dive into expert discussions covering operational planning in host cities like Kansas City and Los Angeles, the application of wastewater surveillance for mega-events, and critical laboratory perspectives on scaling up for the world's largest gatherings.

Second, CSTE’s recently released guidance, the Applied Epidemiology Recommendations for Mass Gatherings Preparedness and Response: World Cup 2026 (tinyurl.com/ycxchrue), provides key considerations for planning and response to any large-scale event, not just the World Cup. Check out these two great resources today!

06/04/2026

What an incredible few days at ! The agenda blended groundbreaking research with thought-provoking discussions, delivering insights that will shape the future of applied . Now we want to hear from you! What was your favorite session or takeaway? Any key lessons you’re excited to apply? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments! Enjoy a few more photos from the week below.

Don’t forget to complete the 2026 CSTE Annual Conference evaluation by July 3, 2026 (link: tinyurl.com/5ct8er3r). Doing so will put you in a raffle for complimentary registration for the 2027 CSTE Annual Conference in Minneapolis next summer, June-6-10.

06/04/2026

Thank you to all our Sponsors and Exhibitors at ! Your support helps us create a vital, informative gathering for our members and public health partners to discuss challenges, share solutions, and learn from each other. We appreciate your continued partnership!

06/03/2026

That's a wrap on Day 4! Many thanks to our attendees, guests, sponsors, exhibitors, and speakers — we’re winding down yet another terrific CSTE Annual Conference thanks to you. Congratulations again to all of our 2026 Annual Awardees and thank you to EVERYONE who showed up for Spirit Day.

We’re about to close out an incredible week in Boston, but the 75th anniversary celebrations are just getting started—stay tuned all year long! Check out more photos from the past few days below.

06/03/2026

Data tells the story, but art makes you feel it. CSTE’s 75th anniversary art contest proved that public health lives not just in spreadsheets but also in brushstrokes. Now, we’re thrilled to announce our winners!

CSTE Executive Board Winner (selected by the Board): Jennifer Schusterman, A Journey in US Public Health. This collage looks back at the last 75 years of public health in the United States.

CSTE Fan Favorite (voted by Conference attendees): Devann Kirkpatrick, Those Who Keep Watch. This painting depicts a modern epidemiologist working late into the night.

Prizes include free membership renewal, a 75th anniversary swag bag, and a plaque of recognition. Congratulations!