Katelyn Jelden, native of Axtell, Neb., was presented with the United States Public Health Service, 2017 Excellence in Public Health Award at the College of Public Health’s convocation held May 5.
Jelden, a 2016 masters of public health graduate and now a medical student at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, was presented the award by Commander Kurt Kesteloot, federal engineer, U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service.
The award recognizes medical students who show their dedication to public health by making exceptional contributions to the community and who increase the U.S. Public Health Service’s mission to protect, promote and advance the health and safety of the nation.
Jelden was an integral member of the Nebraska Patient Care Biocontainment Unit, which was activated as a part of Ebola care and response efforts in 2014. She was responsible for everything from preparing ambulances for patient transport to presenting course content for the CDC’s Ebola training courses.
Her involvement continues, and has led to seven publications with an additional four in press or review. In addition to Jelden’s accomplishments in the areas of infectious diseases and occupational health and safety, she was an active student leader in the College of Public Health.
She helped found the UNMC Student Response Team, served on the UNMC Student Senate, was an American Public Health Association Student Assembly Liaison and served with UNMC’s Bridge to Care program, working to improve the health of recently resettled refugees in the Omaha area. Jelden’s contributions to public health have already been extensive locally and globally, and are sure to continue as she pursues her medical training.
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