CGHE Leadership Structure
CGHE Leadership
Danny T Shiau, MD, MPH, Captain, Navy

Name: Danny T Shiau, MD, MPH, Captain, Navy
Research Interests:
Global Health
Tropical Medicine-Force Health Protection
Education
MD Medicine USU 1997
MPH Public Health USU 2005
Biography
CAPT Shiau deployed as the OIC for Forward Deployed Preventive Medicine Unit in Kuwait and served as Head of Threat Assessment as a preventive medicine officer at Navy Preventive Medicine Unit TWO. While there, he provided operational consultation and surveillance to units deploying to USCENTCOM, USAFRICOM, and USSOUTHCOM. He then served as Deputy Director for Emergency Preparedness, M3/5 Medical Operations at Navy Bureaus of Medicine and Surgery. His primary focus was Pandemic Influenza policy and planning, ensuring emergency preparedness at Navy medical facilities worldwide. He was attached to OPNAV 093, designated by the Surgeon General as the Navy’s Senior Public Health Emergency Officer, providing public health consultation to senior commanders.
Bibliography
Kevin Riley
Name: Kevin Riley
Biography
Cumulative experience is based on more than 32 years of direct participation, management, and coordination of military health engagement programs and missions in the areas of disaster preparedness and response, public health capacity building, and civil-military operations. Retired Medical Service Corps Officer in the United States Air Force with specific experiences in humanitarian assistance and contingency operations planning during contingency operations from Panama in 1989, through Operation Desert Storm, Haiti, Kosovo, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Alden L Weg, MD, MPH, FACPM, Colonel, Army
Name: Alden L Weg, MD, MPH, FACPM, Colonel, Army
Research Interests:
Global Health
Arboviruses
Education
1995 The University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine M.D.
1991 Dordt College, BA in Chemistry and Biology
Carolyn M Currie, MSN, MPH, Captain, Navy

Name: Carolyn M Currie, MSN, MPH, Captain, Navy
Education
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)-University of Washington
Master of Public Health (MPH)-San Diego State University
Biography
CAPT Currie became a plank owner and Deputy Director of the Global Health Engagement Office, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery in 2012. . She deployed to Kuwait in 2006 as the first WHNP to support OIF/OEF. She was selected by Pacific Fleet N5 to be the Medical Assessment Officer aboard USS Pearl Harbor during Pacific Partnership 2013 deployment. CAPT Currie has worked with the Defense HIV/AIDS Prevention Program since 2007. She has engaged in medical activities with the Zambian Defense Force and Uganda Peoples Defence Force supporting cervical cancer screening programs and adolescent friendly health services for HIV positive beneficiaries. She also served on the DHAPP Funding Review Board responsible for appropriation of DoD and PEPFAR funding to organizations in over 80 countries.
Her personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (1), Navy Commendation Medal (5), Navy Achievement Medal (2), and several unit awards.
Rachelle Paul kagiri, MD, Colonel, Air Force
Name: Rachelle Paul kagiri, MD, Colonel, Air Force
Biography
Prior her current assignment, Col Rachelle Paul-Kagiri served as the Director of the Defense Institute for Medical Operations an organization with the medical Security Cooperation mission to trained international students both military and civilian in medical skills. She was deployed to Afghanistan; her other assignments include: Surgeon General of the Hospital at GoodFellow Air Force Base, Deputy Surgeon of United States Military Entrance Processing Command and Flight Commander of Emergency Services at Travis Air Force Base.
Sueann O Ramsey, MPA, MA, Lieutenant Colonel, Army

Name: Sueann O Ramsey, MPA, MA, Lieutenant Colonel, Army
Research Interests:
Environmental Health
Education
Master in Public Administration
Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies
Biography
LTC Ramsey enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1992 and completed Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. She served as a Preventive Medicine Specialist before receiving her direct commission as a Second Lieutenant in June 1994.
In 1994, LTC Ramsey was assigned to William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Preventive Medicine Department, Fort Bliss, Texas. She served in two key positions including Installation Environmental Science Officer and the Chief of Environmental Health, which was a field grade officer position. In 1997, she was assigned to Martin Army Community Hospital, Preventive Medicine Department, Fort Benning, Georgia as the Chief of Environmental Health. In 2000, she was assigned to the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, Camp Zama, Japan, where he served in a variety of positions to include Detachment Commander for 18 months, Industrial Hygiene Project Officer, and Chief of Field Preventive Medicine. She was assigned to Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Gordon, Georgia in 2004 and served as the Regional Environmental Science Officer, providing environmental health consultation and support to 7 Army installations in the southeast region. Her last three assignments before arriving to CGHE in Jul 2017 was at the Joint Task Force Civil Support, Fort Monroe, VA, as the Force Health Protection Officer, at the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Eustis, VA, as the Executive Officer for the Command Surgeon, and at the U.S. Africa Command, as the Chief, Force Health Protection Branch, Office of the Command Surgeon, Stuttgart, Germany.
LTC Ramsey currently has 25 years of active duty service. In 2006, she completed Command and General Staff College and was deployed to Iraq for 12 months as the Chief of Preventive Medicine at the Multi-National Corps-Iraq headquarters, Camp Victory, Baghdad, Iraq. She served as the Preventive Medicine advisor to the Director of Preventive Medicine for the Iraqi Armed Forces. In addition, she spearheaded the coordination and establishment of the Iraqi Public Health program.
LTC Ramsey’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (5), Joint Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3), Joint Service Achievement Medal, and Army Achievement Medal (2).
LTC Ramsey graduated from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biological Sciences. In 2003, she earned a Master of Public Administration from Troy State University, Dothan, Alabama, and in 2011, earned a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. She is a fluent Thai speaker.
CGHE Staff
Michael S Acosta, MEd
Name: Michael S Acosta, MEd
Education
Biography
Representative publications, projects, and/or deployments
- Boren Fellowship - Arabic
- Fulbright Public Policy - Kosovo - Ministry of Education
Garcelle M Alequine, MPH
Name: Garcelle M Alequine, MPH
Education
Biography
Garcelle earned her Master of Public Health from Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, focusing on global health and the challenging process of evaluating outcomes and impacts of global health development programs. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Community Health from Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, North Carolina.
Juan G Alpirez
Name: Juan G Alpirez
Biography
Juan, after serving in various positions of increasing responsibility, retired from the United States Army. He holds the Senior Aviation Badge and Air Assault Badge. His awards include the: Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (six oak leaf clusters), Army Achievement Medal (one oak leaf clusters), Good Conduct Medal (6th award), National Defense Service Medal (one bronze service star), Army Overseas Service Ribbon (award numeral 3), Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (award numeral 3), and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
During his military service, Juan received his Associate of Science in Computer Science from Hawai'i Pacific University, Honolulu Hawaii, and a Bachelor of Science from Excelsior College, Albany New York.
Audrey Berard, MBA
Name: Audrey Berard, MBA
Biography
Graham J Button, MA, M.Ed

Name: Graham J Button, MA, M.Ed
Education
Lehman College, CUNY - Masters in Education
Colorado State University - Bachelors in International Studies and Political Science, Minor in History
Biography
Representative publications, projects, and/or deployments
- Training Program Coordinator, Research Foundation for SUNY
- Director of Programming, Women's Campaign International
- Youth Development/Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, United States Peace Corps, Cameroon
- Social Studies Teacher, New York City and Denver
Margot Craig-Louden, CMP
Name: Margot Craig-Louden, CMP
Education
Jane Diehl Greulich, MPH
Name: Jane Diehl Greulich, MPH
Education
BA, International Relations, Bucknell University
Biography
Ms. Diehl Greulich received her BA in International Relations from Bucknell University, a Masters of Public Health (MPH) in Global Health from The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, and has previously worked with several health-focused international and non-governmental organizations.
Elma L Diggs, MPH

Name: Elma L Diggs, MPH
Biography
(APPRP). In this role she supports the implementation of APRRP; which is designed to strengthen the
capacity of African troop-contributing countries, specifically Rwanda, Uganda, Senegal, and Ghana, to
rapidly respond to emerging crises in Africa.
Previously she managed global health, epidemiology, biosafety and biosecurity initiatives in Sub-Saharan
Africa. Elma holds a Master of Public Health degree from Mercer University School of Medicine and
Bachelor of Science from Liberty University in Health Promotion.
Maria F Echeverry

Name: Maria F Echeverry
Education
Biography
Karen L. Ellis, CMP
Name: Karen L. Ellis, CMP
Biography
Ms. Ellis has managed multiple conferences for The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Center for Global Health Engagement (formally Center for Disaster and Humanitarian Assistance Medicine), Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Combatant Commands, Department of Defense, Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response System, Health Resources and Services Administration, Office of the Surgeon General, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, Environmental Protection Agency, National Cancer Institute, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Food and Drug Administration, Office for Human Research Protections, Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Department of State.
Tala Farr
Name: Tala Farr
Education
Biography
Ms. Farr is an experienced program management professional with 10+ years of event/meeting planning and program/project management experience. She has worked in various capacities executing and facilitating meetings and events for both social and corporate engagements, as well as supported and managed an array of DoD, military health entities and university research programs and/or projects. Ms. Farr has a BA in Communication from University of Maryland, College Park and is fluent in English and Farsi.
Yara Francis, MA
Name: Yara Francis, MA
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts from the Lebanese American University at Beirut, Lebanon.
Biography
Laura Freedenberg, MPH
Name: Laura Freedenberg, MPH
Biography
Laura received her Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Indiana University and a Master of Public Health from Boston University, where she concentrated on global health and managing disasters and complex humanitarian emergencies. She has experience working on public health and preparedness programs at local, state, and federal government levels.
Michael C Hartzell, DVM, MPH, DACVPM
Name: Michael C Hartzell, DVM, MPH, DACVPM
Education
M.P.H. USUHS 2002
Dipl. ACVPM 2005
Biography
Dr. Hartzell has additional professional experiences outside the military ranging from 7 years working as a small animal/emergency veterinary clinician to 4 years as a field veterinary epidemiologist with the USDA’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service where he led the USDA’s brucellosis and pseudorabies disease eradication programs in western Iowa. He also has a certificate in Geographic Information Systems from Penn State University.
Jessica L.A. Jackson, MA, MPH

Name: Jessica L.A. Jackson, MA, MPH
Biography
Ms. Jackson’s theory of evaluation centers on creating collective efforts that result in recommendations that are implemented, have value, and result in positive changes for the most relevant stakeholders. Her belief is that organizations can and will change, but only through a guided coaching process that builds excitement to improve; recognizes limitations and strategizes for innovative solutions; builds capacity to continuously improve processes and offerings; and establishes infrastructure that assures sustainability.
Ms. Jackson is an alumna of Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN) where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Human and Organizational Development. She also attended Claremont Graduate University (Claremont, CA), where she obtained a Master of Arts in Psychology in Health Behavior Research and Evaluation. While at CGU, she concurrently earned a Master of Public Health in Applied Biostatistics and Epidemiology.
Shakir Jawad, MD, MS, PhD
Name: Shakir Jawad, MD, MS, PhD
Research Interests:
Public Health, Global Health Engagement
Orthopedic Surgery
Education
1990: M.Sc University of Baghdad
1991: Ph.D. Iraqi Board of medical Specializations. (Combined, Board certificate in Orthopedic Surgery and a Ph.D. degree)
Biography
Prior to arriving in the United States in August 2006, Dr. Jawad served as Director General for operations and technical affairs at the Iraqi Ministry of Health. He played a critical role in reconstructing and overseeing the medical component of the New Iraqi army. At great personal risk and sacrifice to himself and his family, Dr. Jawad proposed and led the Ministry of Health effort to rehire 18,000 health providers from the disbanded Iraqi Ministry of Defense. This was in coordination with the Coalition Provisional Authority Health Team. His work with the coalition forces to resuscitate and stabilize the Iraqi national health system reduced the impact and damage caused by the invasion and saved thousands of lives. Dr. Jawad survived three assassination attempts on his life because of his close association and work with the US government in Iraq. Before 2003, Dr. Jawad served with distinction for 26 years as a military medical officer in different units; his last rank was MG (sel.) serving as the chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Hammad Shihab Military teaching Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq. Dr. Jawad was born and raised in Baghdad, Iraq and graduated from Al Almustansiryah medical school in 1981; has a Master’s Degree in Biomechanics of stress fractures and a combined Ph.D./ Board certificate in Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Jawad has a combined experience of 37 years serving in and outside the United States.
Joshua Kumpf, MA
Name: Joshua Kumpf, MA
Research Interests:
Global Health Engagement
Infectious Diseases
Education
BA International Studies - Kenyon College, Gambier, OH
Biography
Josh holds a Master of Arts in Diplomacy from Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont, where he focused on international development and human rights. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Kenyon College in Ohio.
Francis Julian Lantry
Name: Francis Julian Lantry
Education
Lynsay J Macias, Chief Petty Officer, Navy

Name: Lynsay J Macias, Chief Petty Officer, Navy
Education
Biography
Chief Macias enlisted in the Navy in 2002. Following graduation of Basic Training, she attended and graduated from Hospital Corpsman “A” School in Great Lakes, Illinois.
Chief Petty Officer Macias’ tours include Naval Branch Health Clinic, Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Virginia; USS SAIPAN (LHA-2), homeport in Norfolk, Virginia; Navy Environmental Preventive Medicine Unit TWO (NEPMU-2), Norfolk, Virginia; Naval Branch Health Clinic Fallon, Nevada; Washington Navy Yard Branch Health Clinic, Washington, D.C.; and her current position at the Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland.
During her career, Chief Petty Officer Macias has supported a variety of operational deployments to include: medical care in support of detainees based at Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay; Commander, FIFTH and SIXTH Fleet maritime deployments that supported the Global War on Terrorism and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM onboard USS SAIPAN; forward-deployed Preventive Medicine support to U.S. bases supporting deployed service members in Kuwait; and an Individual Augmentation, combat deployment with First Medical Battalion to Afghanistan.
Chief Petty Officer Macias has earned her Bachelor's of Science Degree in Healthcare Management. Her personal awards include the Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards) and various service and campaign awards. She has also earned her Fleet Marine Force Warfare Qualification, the Enlisted Surface and Air Warfare Qualifications, and is a certified Master Training Specialist.
Elizabeth Pertner, Ph.D.
Name: Elizabeth Pertner, Ph.D.
Research Interests:
Research design, research methods, international relations, American foreign policy, comparative politics
Education
MA, Political Science, The George Washington University
BA, Political Science, Beloit College
Biography
Stephanie R Petzing, PhD
Name: Stephanie R Petzing, PhD
Biography
Sayed A Shinwari, MD, MPH

Name: Sayed A Shinwari, MD, MPH
Research Interests:
Global Health Engagement
Public Health
Education
2011
MPH/ Global Health Management
- Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, India
June 2007 – August 2007
Clinical observation in the areas of echocardiography, angiography, and cardiovascular surgery
- Riley Hospitals for Children, Indiana School of Medicine, Indiana, USA
January 2006 – February 2006
Training observation in the areas of hematology/oncology, nephrology, rheumatology, infectious diseases, endocrinology, cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, neonatal intensive care, and general pediatric care.
- Kabul Medical University (KMU), Kabul, Afghanistan
2006
MD
Biography
Dr. Shinwari is a graduate of Kabul Medical University (KMU) Kabul, Afghanistan (2006) and received a Masters of Public Health (MPH) in Global Health from George Washington University (2011). He started his career working as a general practitioner in Kabul, before joining various US Army-sponsored medical trainings and observation programs in hospitals located in Afghanistan, India, and the US. Since the onset of Operation Enduring Freedom, Dr. Shinwari has worked as a public health coordinator for the U.S. Army (2003-2007). He coordinated and conducted various public health projects, serving as a liaison between the Afghan National Army/National Police, the Afghan public health sector, the Afghan population, the International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF), NATO, International Organizations, NGOs, and U.S. Army officials. Dr. Shinwari has been serving as the President of Afghan Medical Professionals Associations of America since 2015. Dr. Shinwari was born in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province and was raised in Kabul. He speaks Pashto (Native), Dari (Native), Farsi, Urdu and English.
Representative publications, projects, and/or deployments
- Director, Health Context Analysis Course | Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences(USUHS) November 2015 – Present
- International Health Systems Advisor | Center for Global Health Engagement (CGHE) October 2011 – Present
- Assistant Professor | Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences(USUHS) January 2012 – Present
- President | Afghan Medical Professionals Association of America (AMPAA) January 2015 – Present
- Analyst/ Commentator | Voice of America (VOA), TV & Radio - Afghanistan 2010 – Present
- Member of Board of Directors |Afghan Medical Professionals Association of America (AMPAA) 2008 – Dec 2014
- Curriculum Developer |Diplomatic Language Services (DLS), Arlington, Virginia, USA Oct 2008 – June 2011
- General Practitioner | Afghan governmental and private hospitals (Maiwand, Ataturk, Indira Gandhi, Wahage, Wazir Akbar Khan) May 2005 – November 2007
- Public Health Coordinator/Medical Interpreter & Translator | U.S. Army/International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF)/NATO May 2003 – Sep 2007
Alexandra Stone, Ph.D., M.S.
Name: Alexandra Stone, Ph.D., M.S.
Research Interests:
program evaluation
Biography
Scott Zuerlein, PhD

Name: Scott Zuerlein, PhD
Education
1996, Master of Health Services Administration, Army-Baylor University, Ft. Sam Houston, TX.
1988, Bachelor of Science, General Business Management, College of Business, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY.
Biography
Dr. Zuerlein served 22 years as a Medical Service Corps Officer within the US Air Force Medical Service, his active service concluded with an assignment as the Medical Security Cooperation lead within the US Central Command’s Command Surgeons Office. Dr. Zuerlein earned his Bachelor of Science degree in General Business Management from the University of Wyoming, his Master's in Health Services Administration from the Army-Baylor University, and his Doctorate in Health Policy and Management from the University of South Florida’s College of Public Health.
Representative publications, projects, and/or deployments
- 2018-present: Global Health Engagement Liaison to US Central Command, North Carolina
- 2015-2018: Deputy Director, Training and Professional Development Division, Center for Global Health Engagement, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.
- 2014-2015: Senior Program Manager, Disaster Preparedness Program, Cooperative Biological Engagement Program, and Global Health Engagement Education and Training Program, Center for Disaster and Humanitarian Assistance Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD.
- 2013-2014: Senior Program Manager, Disaster Preparedness Program, Defense Medical Language Initiative, and Medical Stability Operations Curriculum Development Program, Center for Disaster and Humanitarian Assistance Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD.
- 2011-2013: Program Manager, Defense Medical Language Initiative and Medical Stability Operations Curriculum Development Program, Center for Disaster and Humanitarian Assistance Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD.
- 2011-2011: Senior Scientist, Cooperative Biological Engagement Program and Program Manager, Defense Medical Language Initiative, Center for Disaster and Humanitarian Assistance Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD.
- 2005-2011: Chief, International Health Engagement Programs, Command Surgeon’s Office, US Central Command, MacDill AFB, FL.
- 2009-2010: Medical Plans and Operations Officer, US Forces Afghanistan, Kabul, Afghanistan.
- 2002-2005: Graduate Student (Doctoral Studies), University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida.
- 1999-2002: Director, Business Operations and Beneficiary Services Office, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Ambulatory Care Clinic, Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina.