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I haven't personally done it, but I've done my homework about it. Historically the program has been for MDs and DVMs, but over the past couple of years there is an increasing number of non MDs being accepted.
The EIS program has a mainly domestic focus. There are two types of posts you can do: Atlanta/HQ, or state health departments. If you do Atlanta, you will work in a single area only and become highly specialized in one topic. If you work in the state health department you will have flexibility to work on different topics. I think you are supposed to publish at least one paper (usually in MMWR) regardless of posting.
In the ~70-80 assignments in the class of 2010, about 20 were in state health departments. There was also a heavy emphasis on chronic disease posts, so if you have an interest in CD or environmental health, you increase your chance of getting accepted (everybody wants to do ID). Only seven spots were in the center for global health (2 in the emergency/refugee branch), by far the most competitive posting. However all EIS officers, regardless of your posting, have the opportunity to do one global project during their time, usually around one month long.
The pay ranges I believe from around 50,000 - 70,000 per year and it is based on cost of living of the city of your posting. Historically, EIS has been a nearly sure bet to get a job with CDC afterward. However in today's economic times, the CDC budget has been given a serious squeeze, so it is no longer a sure bet, but it still looks good on your CV.
Thanks for that response! If you don't mind me asking, since EIS is geared towards doctoral-level graduates, are there other similar opportunities that are out there for pre-doctoral students/masters students? I know of the CSTE fellowship, and was wondering if there were more opportunities for applied epi like that.
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deleted6669
Thanks for the response. It's a long shot but something for me to consider.
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I haven't personally done it, but I've done my homework about it. Historically the program has been for MDs and DVMs, but over the past couple of years there is an increasing number of non MDs being accepted.
They have been pretty actively recruiting RN MPH and mid-level providers (NP/PA) with MPH training in recent years.
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Thanks for that response! If you don't mind me asking, since EIS is geared towards doctoral-level graduates, are there other similar opportunities that are out there for pre-doctoral students/masters students? I know of the CSTE fellowship, and was wondering if there were more opportunities for applied epi like that.
Cal EIS?
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/Pages/CaliforniaEpidemiologicInvestigationService(Cal-EIS).aspx
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I'm a first year EIS officer - MD/MPH, and trained in Prev Med. I'm in a field assignment, at a state health department.
I don't recall the exact statistics, but I want to say that most of my classmates are MDs, followed by DVMs, and PhD/DrPHs (Epidemiologists, mostly. I think there's a psychology PhD, and a micro PhD, but I think they both have their MPHs). Almost all of the US physicians have completed at least one residency. Those who haven't also have their PhDs, or came out of military jobs and have a lot of experience (OIF/OEF deployments, humanitarian missions, space shuttle support, etc). There's one dentist that I can recall; no nurses, pharmacists, PA's etc. I've heard the spots are competitive, but don't recall exactly what the applicant ratio is. I don't recall any official recruiting efforts - the program has an amazing reputation. Most of my classmates are from the US, but there is a handful of international folks.
There are about 80 spots a year, and they are split up between headquarters jobs (Atlanta, or a center like NIOSH in WV, OH, AK, or CO) and the states. There are 2 spots outside the continental US - Puerto Rico and Lima, Peru. The match is done during the EIS conference prior to the first year, and there are more EIS positions than incoming EIS officers, so everyone is guaranteed a spot somewhere.
We're all pretty busy - the headquarters guys work in their subject matter areas, and many of them tend to travel a lot, both domestically and internationally. The officers based in the state health departments are pretty busy with whatever pops up - fires in TX, hurricanes on the East Coast, e coli outbreaks. Even if one ends up in a domestic assignment, there are still many opportunities to travel - for instance, several of my classmates assigned to states volunteered to help with a couple missions working in Somalia, and I asked to go to India for 2 weeks.
There are 11 activities which you must do over the 2 years ranging from a poster presentation to an article in a peer reviewed journal to a full epi investigation which you design and conduct. I'm almost halfway thru my first year, and I've done about 4 of the smaller scale ones. I'll probably finish the year with an MMWR article, the data for my epi project, and a poster and presentation from an outbreak earlier this year.
Independent of where one is posted, July of the first summer is spent in Atlanta, learning the CDC/EIS way as well as basic epi and outbreak methodology. After that, there are fall courses for both the first and second year classes in Atlanta, and everyone goes to the EIS conference in the Spring. We also have access to SAS classes, and seminars held in person or via the internet on various topics including public health law, on going projects, etc.
Some of us are commissioned officers in the Public Health Service, and some of us are civilian fellows. Those taking commissions have to go thru an officer orientation and have a few more requirements to meet (like an annual physical fitness test). I've not seen where one is more beneficial than the other so far.
For pre-doctoral students, there are a handful of opportunities, like the CSTE fellowship mentioned earlier. There is also the Public Health Prevention Specialist for those with MPHs (www.cdc.gov/phps) , and the Public Health Associate program (www.cdc.gov/phap) for those with baccalaureate degrees. I believe they are also designed to help bolster the public health work force. I didn't look into either of them, but have worked with both current fellows and alumni and both groups of people seem pretty happy with their choices.
Hope that helps.
Trix
I don't recall the exact statistics, but I want to say that most of my classmates are MDs, followed by DVMs, and PhD/DrPHs (Epidemiologists, mostly. I think there's a psychology PhD, and a micro PhD, but I think they both have their MPHs). Almost all of the US physicians have completed at least one residency. Those who haven't also have their PhDs, or came out of military jobs and have a lot of experience (OIF/OEF deployments, humanitarian missions, space shuttle support, etc). There's one dentist that I can recall; no nurses, pharmacists, PA's etc. I've heard the spots are competitive, but don't recall exactly what the applicant ratio is. I don't recall any official recruiting efforts - the program has an amazing reputation. Most of my classmates are from the US, but there is a handful of international folks.
There are about 80 spots a year, and they are split up between headquarters jobs (Atlanta, or a center like NIOSH in WV, OH, AK, or CO) and the states. There are 2 spots outside the continental US - Puerto Rico and Lima, Peru. The match is done during the EIS conference prior to the first year, and there are more EIS positions than incoming EIS officers, so everyone is guaranteed a spot somewhere.
We're all pretty busy - the headquarters guys work in their subject matter areas, and many of them tend to travel a lot, both domestically and internationally. The officers based in the state health departments are pretty busy with whatever pops up - fires in TX, hurricanes on the East Coast, e coli outbreaks. Even if one ends up in a domestic assignment, there are still many opportunities to travel - for instance, several of my classmates assigned to states volunteered to help with a couple missions working in Somalia, and I asked to go to India for 2 weeks.
There are 11 activities which you must do over the 2 years ranging from a poster presentation to an article in a peer reviewed journal to a full epi investigation which you design and conduct. I'm almost halfway thru my first year, and I've done about 4 of the smaller scale ones. I'll probably finish the year with an MMWR article, the data for my epi project, and a poster and presentation from an outbreak earlier this year.
Independent of where one is posted, July of the first summer is spent in Atlanta, learning the CDC/EIS way as well as basic epi and outbreak methodology. After that, there are fall courses for both the first and second year classes in Atlanta, and everyone goes to the EIS conference in the Spring. We also have access to SAS classes, and seminars held in person or via the internet on various topics including public health law, on going projects, etc.
Some of us are commissioned officers in the Public Health Service, and some of us are civilian fellows. Those taking commissions have to go thru an officer orientation and have a few more requirements to meet (like an annual physical fitness test). I've not seen where one is more beneficial than the other so far.
For pre-doctoral students, there are a handful of opportunities, like the CSTE fellowship mentioned earlier. There is also the Public Health Prevention Specialist for those with MPHs (www.cdc.gov/phps) , and the Public Health Associate program (www.cdc.gov/phap) for those with baccalaureate degrees. I believe they are also designed to help bolster the public health work force. I didn't look into either of them, but have worked with both current fellows and alumni and both groups of people seem pretty happy with their choices.
Hope that helps.
Trix
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That was incredibly informative and enlightening, thank you Trix! If I could ask one question, do all EIS officers have the same responsibilities and opportunities, regardless of background? In other words, would an officer with an MD and an officer with a PhD both be treated equally and participate in the same work, or are there niches within EIS where MDs will be assigned to certain projects and PhDs to others?
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From last year's EIS conference
<<
For the second year in a row, we have received a record number of applications for the program. During the last decade, we averaged approximately 280 completed applications each year. Last year, we received 412, and this year the number of applications increased to 470. Although this meant substantially more work for us in the initial screening process, it also meant that we had a much richer pool of candidates from which to choose. I am confident that we have selected an excellent group of new officers.
Fifty-five(70%) of the new officers are women, and 13 (16%) are citizens of other nations. The other countries represented in this years class are Austria, Canada (2), China, Denmark, Ghana, Jordan, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Sweden, United Kingdom, and Vietnam. Among the 55 U.S. citizens or permanent residents who have supplied race/ethnicity data, 21(38%) represent racial or ethnic minority groups. Twenty-six are PhD-level scientists (33%); 47 (59%) are physicians; 5 (6%) are veterinarians; and 1 is a dentist. Two of the MDs also hold PhDs.
>>
<<
For the second year in a row, we have received a record number of applications for the program. During the last decade, we averaged approximately 280 completed applications each year. Last year, we received 412, and this year the number of applications increased to 470. Although this meant substantially more work for us in the initial screening process, it also meant that we had a much richer pool of candidates from which to choose. I am confident that we have selected an excellent group of new officers.
Fifty-five(70%) of the new officers are women, and 13 (16%) are citizens of other nations. The other countries represented in this years class are Austria, Canada (2), China, Denmark, Ghana, Jordan, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Sweden, United Kingdom, and Vietnam. Among the 55 U.S. citizens or permanent residents who have supplied race/ethnicity data, 21(38%) represent racial or ethnic minority groups. Twenty-six are PhD-level scientists (33%); 47 (59%) are physicians; 5 (6%) are veterinarians; and 1 is a dentist. Two of the MDs also hold PhDs.
>>
Thanks for the update! The EIS is one of the main reasons I want to pursue my doctorate. As a general question, do you normally find that new EIS officers come in straight from PhD/DrPH programs without a post-doc (as well as MDs coming in straight from medical school)? I've been trying to find out if this was a program friendly to the newly-graduated, and from looking at some of the new officers info it seems like it may be, but I'd love to get your opinion!
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Almost all the physicians are residency trained, and the vets mostly have PhDs. I think the PhD non clinicians have all done something else after getting their degrees, but I'm not certain.
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It's in Atlanta and a great way to find out more about the program as well as get your name out there.
http://www.cdc.gov/eis/Conference.html
I thought this article was pretty good. None of my classmates look like Kate Winslett, but a couple are pretty well dressed!
http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/pur...h-sleuthing-to-protect-us-from-pandemics/7729
http://www.cdc.gov/eis/Conference.html
I thought this article was pretty good. None of my classmates look like Kate Winslett, but a couple are pretty well dressed!
http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/pur...h-sleuthing-to-protect-us-from-pandemics/7729
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Hi I'm an MD/MPH, and in between 3rd and 4th years of medical school I did a 1 year research fellowship at the CDC. I absolutely loved it. It's kind of a version of EIS for medical students. I used my research done there for my MPH. I would recommend it 100% for those interested in epidemiology and/or public health.
Here is an official description:
The CDC Experience Applied Epidemiology Fellowship Call for Applications
Are you a medical student looking for something different to do next year? We want people just like you!
· Are you curious about how public health and the CDC work?
· Do you want to work with state, local and international public health partners?
· Are you interested in being ahead of the curve on prevention and accountability in health reform?
· Would you like to enhance your skills to address health and healthcare disparities?
· Would you be interested in:
Ø investigating outbreaks of tuberculosis among the homeless, or in a prison population?
Ø traveling to Latin America to help set up a surveillance program for pertussis?
Ø assessing risk factors for birth defects using national data bases?
Ø being at the forefront of injury prevention research?
Ø participating in the response to a public health emergency?
Do you want an experience that offers an opportunity to enhance your research skills, build leadership potential, and improve your clinical acumen via a population health perspective, all by working on real-life problems in a diverse work environment?
Then consider applying to The CDC Experience!
The CDC Experience Applied Epidemiology Fellowship is a one-year fellowship tailored for rising 3rd- and 4th-year medical students, designed to increase the pool of physicians with a population health perspective. Eight competitively selected fellows spend 1012 months at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offices in Atlanta, GA, where they carry out epidemiologic analyses in various areas of public health. Examples of previous and current areas of concentration include viral and bacterial diseases, cardiovascular health, obesity prevention, birth defects, STDs, injury prevention, and air pollution and respiratory health.
What current fellows and alumni have to say about their fellowship experiences:
· Every day has been filled with people talking about the incredible ways that epidemiologists impact health, and its refreshingly practical. They understand how to crunch the numbers to acutely illuminate health-related issues, and respond to people in need. Even more, they get to collaborate with policymakers and understand how the system works overall. I feel more empowered to establish sustainable change and understand the greater context of health than before. Its as if I am finally learning the secrets of how change actually happens, and it reminds me of why I went into Medicine. Geoff Hart-Cooper, Class of 2012
· I will forever draw on my experience and skills learned this year to better critically evaluate science, lead teams, and hone my writing and presentation skills I would like to be an academic surgeon and practice clinically. However, this year has really opened my eyes to the role the public health and epidemiology can have in research and academics. While I would like to work downstream clinically, I think my experiences here have inspired me to focus my research efforts more upstream (i.e. research demographic/epidemiologic risk factors for a certain injury/pathology but still be able to see and treat that specific patient in the operating room). Fernando Ovalle, Class of 2011
· I came to this fellowship with a strong interest in public health, but felt very disconnected from that dream while in medical school. My fellowship experience not only re-motivated me for a career in public health, but showed me the array of options available. I feel less like my interest in public health was some far-fetched dream and am now more committed than ever to find my way back to this arena. Diya Surie, Class of 2010
· This experience was an incredible introduction to the breadth of topics in public health thanks to my mentors being sure to involve me in a wide variety of projects. This exposure revealed the many career options available through public health. Also, I had little experience in research prior to the fellowship. The skills learned from going through the entire research process from proposal to publishing will be very valuable in the future. Charlene Wong, Class of 2008
· I now have the confidence to bring a public health perspective to clinical medicine. Before participating in the fellowship, I could talk about some of the things that public health was about but didnt think I could lead the way in incorporating public health, either through research or practice now I can. I will use the skills I gained to better my clinical practice and continue to act as an ambassador for public health and its role in clinical institutions. Adrian Flores, Class of 2006
· The year I spent in Atlanta was such an important part of my career development. The Fellowship was such a great experience; the further along I progress in my career the more I realize how valuable the experience has been to my professional development. Jonathon Neyer, Class of 2006
To learn more about The CDC Experience Fellowship and to apply online, visit us at www.cdc.gov/CDCExperienceFellowship.
Applications for next years fellowship class must be submitted by Friday December 7, 2012.
Questions? Ask us at [email protected]
Here is an official description:
The CDC Experience Applied Epidemiology Fellowship Call for Applications
Are you a medical student looking for something different to do next year? We want people just like you!
· Are you curious about how public health and the CDC work?
· Do you want to work with state, local and international public health partners?
· Are you interested in being ahead of the curve on prevention and accountability in health reform?
· Would you like to enhance your skills to address health and healthcare disparities?
· Would you be interested in:
Ø investigating outbreaks of tuberculosis among the homeless, or in a prison population?
Ø traveling to Latin America to help set up a surveillance program for pertussis?
Ø assessing risk factors for birth defects using national data bases?
Ø being at the forefront of injury prevention research?
Ø participating in the response to a public health emergency?
Do you want an experience that offers an opportunity to enhance your research skills, build leadership potential, and improve your clinical acumen via a population health perspective, all by working on real-life problems in a diverse work environment?
Then consider applying to The CDC Experience!
The CDC Experience Applied Epidemiology Fellowship is a one-year fellowship tailored for rising 3rd- and 4th-year medical students, designed to increase the pool of physicians with a population health perspective. Eight competitively selected fellows spend 1012 months at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offices in Atlanta, GA, where they carry out epidemiologic analyses in various areas of public health. Examples of previous and current areas of concentration include viral and bacterial diseases, cardiovascular health, obesity prevention, birth defects, STDs, injury prevention, and air pollution and respiratory health.
What current fellows and alumni have to say about their fellowship experiences:
· Every day has been filled with people talking about the incredible ways that epidemiologists impact health, and its refreshingly practical. They understand how to crunch the numbers to acutely illuminate health-related issues, and respond to people in need. Even more, they get to collaborate with policymakers and understand how the system works overall. I feel more empowered to establish sustainable change and understand the greater context of health than before. Its as if I am finally learning the secrets of how change actually happens, and it reminds me of why I went into Medicine. Geoff Hart-Cooper, Class of 2012
· I will forever draw on my experience and skills learned this year to better critically evaluate science, lead teams, and hone my writing and presentation skills I would like to be an academic surgeon and practice clinically. However, this year has really opened my eyes to the role the public health and epidemiology can have in research and academics. While I would like to work downstream clinically, I think my experiences here have inspired me to focus my research efforts more upstream (i.e. research demographic/epidemiologic risk factors for a certain injury/pathology but still be able to see and treat that specific patient in the operating room). Fernando Ovalle, Class of 2011
· I came to this fellowship with a strong interest in public health, but felt very disconnected from that dream while in medical school. My fellowship experience not only re-motivated me for a career in public health, but showed me the array of options available. I feel less like my interest in public health was some far-fetched dream and am now more committed than ever to find my way back to this arena. Diya Surie, Class of 2010
· This experience was an incredible introduction to the breadth of topics in public health thanks to my mentors being sure to involve me in a wide variety of projects. This exposure revealed the many career options available through public health. Also, I had little experience in research prior to the fellowship. The skills learned from going through the entire research process from proposal to publishing will be very valuable in the future. Charlene Wong, Class of 2008
· I now have the confidence to bring a public health perspective to clinical medicine. Before participating in the fellowship, I could talk about some of the things that public health was about but didnt think I could lead the way in incorporating public health, either through research or practice now I can. I will use the skills I gained to better my clinical practice and continue to act as an ambassador for public health and its role in clinical institutions. Adrian Flores, Class of 2006
· The year I spent in Atlanta was such an important part of my career development. The Fellowship was such a great experience; the further along I progress in my career the more I realize how valuable the experience has been to my professional development. Jonathon Neyer, Class of 2006
To learn more about The CDC Experience Fellowship and to apply online, visit us at www.cdc.gov/CDCExperienceFellowship.
Applications for next years fellowship class must be submitted by Friday December 7, 2012.
Questions? Ask us at [email protected]
Hi,
I am applying to the CDC Health Scientist position. I need to know the hiring policy for people who studied (master's level) biophysics, nano biophysics, and physics. I am thinking it might be better to go to medical school first, then try for the CDC.
I am applying to the CDC Health Scientist position. I need to know the hiring policy for people who studied (master's level) biophysics, nano biophysics, and physics. I am thinking it might be better to go to medical school first, then try for the CDC.
Anyone know any updates/stats on the incoming class for 2013?
Also, anyone out there who's been an EIS officer and willing to talk about their experience? How many EIS officers are commissioned USPHS, and did you get commissioned after being accepted to EIS or simultaneously applied?
I am in general surgery residency but definitely interested in applying to EIS for entering in 2016. Anyone know of other surgeons who have gone through EIS?
Also, anyone out there who's been an EIS officer and willing to talk about their experience? How many EIS officers are commissioned USPHS, and did you get commissioned after being accepted to EIS or simultaneously applied?
I am in general surgery residency but definitely interested in applying to EIS for entering in 2016. Anyone know of other surgeons who have gone through EIS?
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I attended an EIS conference in 2011 together with a friend who is in anesthesiology (I'm in surgery), both of us interested in applying for the EIS fellowship. With asking around, talking to people, we got a lot of skeptical looks when we expressed our interest in applying, with most wondering why (or how?) anesthesia or surgical background would be useful to them and or how an EIS fellowship would be useful to our respective careers. Most, rather all, the EIS fellows I met were primary care trained (alot of medicine/ID, peds, one who had done OB) Out of all the past EIS alumni who spoke at the conference, the only surgeon was an ophthalmologist who was a fellow in the late 60s, but did his fellowship before he did his ophtho residency. Maybe I got the wrong impression, but even the various department heads I talked to almost made it seem that a surgical background would work against me in applying.
Maybe I got the wrong impression, but even the various department heads I talked to almost made it seem that a surgical background would work against me in applying.
I've seen a lot of surgeons who have gotten an MPH, and have talked about the degree helping them to better understand research articles. It seems that EIS would make sense for surgeons who in the future parachute into disaster situations, such as those volunteering with MSF, and thus having a familiarity with the public health aspect of certain situations.
There is a stereotype, right or wrong, that most surgeons are technicians who perform a technical service, i.e. reattaching a limb, whereas internists have to make informed recommendations and decisions based upon the public health issues, of which there are many, that would impact their patients. So . . . if a surgeon spends a year working on TB surveillance/project at the CDC, then goes off to practice some surgical sub-specialty, it might be hard to see how the EIS experience (outside of being an intellectual endeavor), would benefit the surgeon in the operating room. If the surgeon is in academic medicine, having an MPH is certainly a plus, and having an EIS fellowhsip, if you learn more analytical skills, it could be considered to be helpful, though be no means integral to future career plans in academics.
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Hi everyone,
I applied and interviewed for EIS last year. I have an MPH in Behavioral Science and a Ph.D. in Mental Health (Psychiatric Epidemiology). I found out a couple of days before Christmas that I was not accepted..which completely ruined my holiday!
I'm currently doing a postdoc at the CDC through a different fellowship mechanism but I am also in the process of applying for the next EIS class. Does anyone have any tips for reapplying or interviewing for a second time (if I'm lucky enough to be invited to interview again)?
trixmd, thanks so much for your thorough responses. You've been very helpful!
I applied and interviewed for EIS last year. I have an MPH in Behavioral Science and a Ph.D. in Mental Health (Psychiatric Epidemiology). I found out a couple of days before Christmas that I was not accepted..which completely ruined my holiday!
I'm currently doing a postdoc at the CDC through a different fellowship mechanism but I am also in the process of applying for the next EIS class. Does anyone have any tips for reapplying or interviewing for a second time (if I'm lucky enough to be invited to interview again)?
trixmd, thanks so much for your thorough responses. You've been very helpful!
Still waiting here! Maybe I'll try calling tomorrow if I haven' heard anything.Anyone have any info on this years application interviews?
Thanks!
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