Audrain County Health Department’s (ACHD) Environmental Public Health Specialist Sarah Palmer was recently awarded the Certificate in Public Health Workforce Preparedness from A.T. Still University (ATSU).

            Palmer completed four, 10-week graduate-level courses in the discipline to earn the certificate.

            “This is a huge achievement for one of our employees that will do nothing more than add to the safety of Audrain County residents through the knowledge Sarah learned while in the course,” said ACHD Administrator/CEO Craig Brace. “This will allow us to respond in a more efficient and effective manner should Audrain County be afflicted with a public health emergency in the future.”

            Palmer says she is happy to be in a position to complete the course and help out fellow residents of the county.

“I’m honored to have received this certificate,” Palmer said. “I look forward to helping out residents of Audrain County by being able to apply what I’ve learned through the program to our emergency response and preparedness program here at ACHD.”

The four-course program  prepares students to play a role in future public health emergency responses. Those in the program will come away with an understanding of emergency management systems, will be introduced to various forms of disasters and public health threats, as well as to various response skills essential to public health. Palmer also earned three FEMA certificates and also a certificate in contact tracing with the program completion.