Tanya Simmons Email & Phone Number

Atlanta, GA

• Responsible for the planning, development, and implementation of process and improvement projects for the new unit: Communications, Workforce Development, and Training of the Field Services Branch.
• Authored and submitted an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) clearance to conduct an assessment to evaluate the utility of Federal staff involvement in STD prevention efforts in state, city, and county health.
• Edited and proposed final documentation for surveys and questionnaires for training needs assessments; oversaw distribution and monitored status of results.
• Coordinated national STD Prevention training opportunities for 133 field staff via web broadcast or regional seminar based programs.
• Initiated and developed a MS Access database for coordination of training records.
• Web-cast presenter and material developer for staff trainings on international opportunities.

Atlanta, GA

• Served as point-of-contact for formal guidance and uniformity in branch-wide workforce policies and procedure compliance.
• Redrafted and finalized procedural policies for recruitment, hiring, hardships, and relocation for the branch; personally authored the employee hardships policy that was introduced and implemented throughout CDC.
• Initiated and implemented a uniformed performance evaluation process that provided ease for district managers to justify principles applied in employee evaluation scores.
• Worked with program consultants to evaluate staffing needs and develop specific site job postings.
• Developed standard operating procedure for grants management.
• Coordinated data for employee recruitment, hire, and relocation for human resource divisions.

Pretoria, South Africa

• Participated in an international opportunity to provide administrative leadership in data applications used in reporting financial need for AIDS relief funding.
• Identified by the South Africa PEPFAR Partner Performance (SAPPPA) committee as a valued consultant to contribute to the formation and revision of program training resources.

• Traveled throughout the Southeast region to conduct program audits of Community Health Centers and Ryan White funded grantees involving thorough evaluation of the effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of health.
• Assessed and evaluated grantees’ performance against HRSA’s goals and objectives, Healthy People 2010, and GPRA measures.
• Wrote directives, issuances, and program proposals to identify and recommend corrective steps to strengthen operations and delivery of services.
• Recommended and provided technical assistance, consultation, and guidance to grantees.
• Persuaded stakeholders to collaborate and partner with local organizations to strengthen health systems and the delivery of care.

• Responsible for coordinating HRSA agency grant reviews to evaluate resource utilization of program funding and compliance to Federal regulations.
• Oversaw grant reviews and evaluated resource utilization for equitable distribution of Federal funds (up to $400 million) to assure the provision of quality health care.
• Cultivated and maintained relationships with key internal and external partners to ensure proper coordination of federally funded programs.

• Developed application guidance template for agency wide dissemination improving the effectiveness and performance of Federal financial assistance programs and the delivery of public services.
• Reviewed and edited federal application guidance and legislation by translating technical jargon into more comprehensive terms as part of the federal grant streamlining initiative.
• Served as project officer to assist in managing and monitoring Ryan White CARE Act grantees.

• Spearheaded troubled federally, funded HIV/AIDS and substance abuse awareness program due to attrition and shortened budget. Fulfilled remaining program objectives in several weeks.
• Lead the instruction of (150) adolescents in HIV/AIDS and substance abuse education and prevention resulting in increased awareness by 80% as demonstrated from pre/post surveys.
• Conducted HIV/AIDS educational outreach and need assessment programs with community organizations.
• Collaborated in writing grant proposals to secure Federal, State and local funding.

Master Of Public Health, Health Policy

Bachelor Of Science, General Biology

Activities and Societies: Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)