Epidemiology & Informatics
Disease Prevention Epidemiology
Disease Prevention Epidemiology
Epidemiologists support key public health programs—such as STI, HIV/AIDS, HAI, TB, and Ryan White—by identifying disease patterns, calculating risk, and guiding targeted interventions. We monitor trends in illness to detect outbreaks, assess risk factors, and help tailor prevention strategies to specific communities. While not a standalone program, our epidemiologists are essential to the success of all disease prevention efforts.Â
Disease Prevention Services | South Dakota Department of Health
Grant Management & Budget Oversight
Grant Management & Budget Oversight
Our team ensures that public funds are used responsibly by monitoring where the money goes and verifying that all spending aligns with federal and state regulations. We assist in creating budgets, collaborate with program teams and external stakeholders, and provide detailed spending projections. Our responsibilities include compiling financial data and developing monitoring tools that help program administrators stay informed and compliant. To streamline operations, we led the development of budget templates and standardized grant management procedures—enhancing transparency, consistency, and fiscal accountability across the department.
Informatics Program
Informatics Program
The Informatics team is responsible for the collection, cleaning, maintenance, and reporting of infectious disease data to support public health surveillance and response.
Data Gathering: We collect data from a wide network of medical facilities—including hospitals, clinics, and laboratories. Incoming data is translated into standardized formats and securely transmitted to both the CDC and our internal systems.
Data Cleaning: Our team ensures data quality by geocoding addresses, performing validation checks, and verifying completeness and accuracy. This process transforms raw inputs into reliable, actionable information.
Data Maintenance & Technology Support: We manage a robust internal database that stores infectious disease data for analysis and reporting. In addition, we provide technical reporting services and develop custom software solutions to support evolving public health needs.
Data Reporting: Cleaned and curated data is shared through interactive dashboards, geographic maps, and periodic publications, enabling timely insights for decision-makers and the public.
Through these efforts, the Informatics team ensures that high-quality data drives effective public health action.