White House recognizes Louisiana epidemiologist

16th September 2013   ·   0 Comments

By Nayita Wilson
Contributing Writer

Louisiana epidemiologist and public health expert Erica Washington was recently recognized by the White House for her efforts on prevention and public health. She stands among seven national honorees who also received the Champions of Change recognition during a private event with White House officials last week.

Washington is the Health-Care Associated Infections Coordinator for the Louisiana Department of Public Health’s Infectious Disease Epidemiology Division.

Since 2009, she has managed the state’s grant from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which focuses on prevention, surveillance of healthcare and associated infections that may occur at hospitals, long-term acute care hospitals, dialysis centers and rehabilitations facilities.

Under her leadership, there are currently 130 trained National Health Care Safety Network Providers reporters in Louisiana who report safety findings to the CDC on a regular basis through the network.

The reporters also have access to information, which allows them to see how their practices measure up with other health care facilities throughout the nation. Washington works closely with prevention specialists at various healthcare facilities to ensure that they know how to use the network, are current on diseases that are priority to the CDC and are up to date on “evidenced based guidelines” for prevention.

Louisiana had zero reporters, previously, according to Washington who had the opportunity to engage national leaders and colleagues on her work in public health during the Champions of Change event on Sept. 10, which took place at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building located next to the White House’s West Wing.

Each week, the White House invites community members who are greatly impacting communities to discuss their initiatives with administration officials and colleagues working in similar capacities during a Champion of Change event.

“It really meant a lot, and I was glad to represent our state,” Washington said.

Washington, 28, is a native of Baton Rouge and currently resides in Metairie, La. She earned a bachelor’s in biological sciences from LSU and a master’s in public health in epidemiology from Tulane University’s School of Public Health.

This article originally published in the September 16, 2013 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.