The next several issues of the e-newsletter for the virtual 2020 National Tuberculosis Conference (NTC) will focus on the agenda, providing an in-depth look at the planned educational content, the faculty identified to deliver the content, suggested resources to review in advance of the session, and other information. These issues are prepared to provide an overview of the conference and to generate excitement and enthusiasm around this year’s virtual TB conference. 
Opening Session is TODAY!
Public Health Response to a Pandemic: Utilizing TB
as a Blueprint for Action
Session Description:
The World Health Organization has designated 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife! The inaugural session of the Virtual National TB Conference will recognize the significant role that public health nurses have contributed to healthcare and the goal of TB Elimination. Nurses, such as Florence Nightingale, laid the foundation that supports today’s framework of public health-prevention programs across the country and around the world. 
 
The framework of TB nursing, and the skillsets of staff within the TB public health program, have contributed substantially to the public heath response during the current COVID pandemic. This session will explore how we can continue to apply this blueprint for effective action and response to future public health emergencies.
Alisa Haushalter, DNP, RN, PHNA-BC
The presenter for this first session of our virtual 2020 National TB Conference is Dr. Alisa Haushalter. Dr. Haushalter serves as Director of the Shelby County Health Department (SCHD), Memphis, Tennessee. Alisa brings more than thirty-five years of experience to her role, having led an array of public health programs and initiatives throughout her career. Prior to her transition to Shelby County, Alisa served as Bureau Director of Population Health Programs and TB Elimination Program Director in Nashville/Davidson County, Tennessee.  Alisa is also an associate professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center where she teaches health policy and leadership.

Alisa has earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University and Associate of Science in Nursing from Belmont University.  Alisa has received multiple awards as a transformative nurse leader and is committed to preparing the next generation of public health nurses, continuing to serve as a mentor and coach throughout her career.  
The moderator for this session is the current president of the National TB Nurse Coalition (NTNC), Maureen Murphy-Weiss. Maureen is a graduate of Capital University School of Nursing, in Columbus, Ohio. Her work experience includes acute care nursing in the urban hospital setting and public health practice since 1997 at both the local and state level. During her public health career, her responsibilities include providing expert consultation concerning TB and refugee health (with a focus on infectious disease) to local public health departments, health care providers, schools, and the general public.
Maureen Murphy-Weiss, RN, BSN
Year of the Nurse T-Shirts and Mask
As we celebrate the Year of the Nurse and Midwife, we want to celebrate the amazing contributions made by public health TB nurses across the United States and the world. In recognition of their daily contributions to the elimination of TB, we have designed a t-shirt and mask which expresses their passion and expertise. TB Nurses: Clinical Experts, Patient Advocates, Community Educators.
It is not too late to register! Join us.
As the virtual conference platform, and our ability to provide enduring materials credit, allows for a rolling registration, we encourage you to consider joining us even if you are unable to join today's opening session.

If you have any questions about the registration process or the Virtual 2020 National TB Conference, email 2020NTC@tbcontrollers.org for more information.
Continuing Education Credits
NTCA has partnered with the University of New Mexico’s School of Medicine’s Office of Continuing Medical Education and the Eastern New Mexico University’s for continuing education (CE) credits for the Virtual 2020 NTC. In addition to credits for the live broadcast, these accredited providers have also approved enduring materials credit. If you cannot attend on the original broadcast dates, video recordings of the session will be available for enduring credits for up to a year. Further, after completing sessions, your registration will grant you access to the recordings for a year, to review and revisit the content.

We hope these accommodations provide our participants with the reassurance that content will remain accessible and resemble an on-demand learning environment and that this increased flexibility will encourage broad participation in this year’s virtual TB conference.
Conference Agenda
We are excited about the Virtual 2020 Conference agenda and think you will be too! Check it out!
CONTACTS :
Sherry Brown, NTCA: sbrown@tbcontrollers.org
Donna Wegener, NTCA: dhwegener@tbcontrollers.org