Sarah Franks Email & Phone Number

As an experienced Lead Communicable Disease Surveillance Specialist with a strong background in critical care and travel medicine, I am passionate about advancing public health through effective surveillance, analysis, response, and implementation of infection control strategies. Currently, with the City of Evanston Health and Human Services Department, I leverage my clinical expertise and public health knowledge to tackle complex infection control challenges in communicable and infectious disease outbreaks.My journey began as a critical care nurse and travel medicine consultant, providing me with a solid foundation in disease identification and healthcare operations. The prevention and management of communicable disease outbreaks are central to my role. This background enables me to bridge the gap between public health and practical solutions, fostering partnerships and implementing innovative infection control measures.Key Areas of Expertise:• Communicable Disease Surveillance and Response• Emerging Pathogens and Extensively Drug-Resistant Organisms• Bioterrorism and Emergency Preparedness• Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness• Infection Prevention and Control• Healthcare Acquired Infection (HAI) Response• Federal, State, and Local Public Health Agencies• Health Sectors of NGOs, Biotech, Pharmaceutical, and Medical Device Industries• Mobile Decontamination and IsolationThroughout my career, I have built a reputation for quickly establishing rapport with healthcare professionals and administrators, understanding their challenges, and collaborating to find solutions. My dual perspective as a clinician and public health specialist allows me to approach outbreaks comprehensively, effectively leveraging public health infrastructure.Accomplishments:• Led successful outbreak investigations and infection control interventions in diverse settings.• Developed strategic partnerships between public health entities and healthcare providers, enhancing response efforts.• Demonstrated expertise in managing high-risk populations and complex disease outbreak scenarios, improving public health outcomes.I am open to networking with professionals in public health and infectious disease response. Please reach out if you’re interested in discussing potential opportunities or collaborations. I am eager to contribute my skills and experience to organizations focusing on emerging pathogens, bioterrorism preparedness, and healthcare infection control.