John Hopkins University
RWJ/NLM Public Health
N/A
USA
Email:
soperpa2@gmail.com
Biographical Sketch:
Paula is currently managing the implementation of a statewide immunization registry in Louisiana. Duties include project planning and monitoring, coordination of activities with the STC team, extensive interaction and planning with state, regional and local health entities, and collaboration with the statewide oversight committee, regional coalitions and the private medical community. She is also involved in long-term planning for project expansion and sustainability, and identification of ways to use registry data for immunization program support and decision support.
Previous to STC, Paula was the Director, of Maryland ImmuNet for 3½ years which included employment with the Maryland Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics and the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. While in this position, she managed the activities of a statewide immunization registry surveillance system, which included strategic planning, overseeing the budget, systems analysis, and the activities of the technical staff.
As Coordinator of Legislative Affairs for the American College of Nurse-Midwives for one year, she managed budget and coordinated legislative affairs activities for professional associations which included state and federal divisions.
While working for the Children’s National Medical Center as Research Coordinator, for the Emergency Medical Trauma Center, Paula managed activities for several clinical trials.
Paula served as the founding President of the American Immunization Registry Association (AIRA) from 1999-2000. She currently serves on the AIRA Board of Directors as the Vendor Representative. Paula is also a current Board Member of the Maryland Partnership for Prevention. She is an Associate Member of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists and a member of the American Public Health Association