Speaker: Michael Olesen

Presentation: Not IF, But WHEN: The Threat of Pandemic Influenza

Michael Olesen completed his BS in Public Health and Life Sciences at the University of Minnesota. He will be completing his oral exam for his Masters in Public Health from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health in 2006. He is a member of the Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and the Minnesota Public Health Association. He is board certified in infection control and is a certified FEMA Continuity of Operations Planning Trainer.

Mr. Olesen is a member of the MDH/MN-APIC Emerging Pathogens Task Force, the MN-APIC Mandatory Reporting work group, and the MN Center for Healthcare Ethics Pandemic Influenza committee. He has been requested to serve as an evaluator for disaster drills for various health systems, state labs, and state health departments. He also serves on the national APIC emergency preparedness committee and has recently been asked to author the emergency preparedness section for a national APC advanced training course.

Mr. Olesen has been a project site lead for national research in smallpox and MRSA studies and has served as a reviewer for three clinical texts. He is now a member of the Minnesota Disaster medical Assistance Team where he hopes to use his skills to aid in disaster recovery efforts.