Public Health Specialist

When increased numbers of acute gastroenteritis cases are diagnosed onboard cruise ships, outbreak management plans are activated, intensifying prevention measures and implementing additional ones, such as active surveillance, enhanced environmental disinfection, and social or physical distancing. In this regard, ranked Captain and serving as Epidemiologist with the United States Public Health, Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP), George performed the duties of Field Epidemiologist and Inspector undertaking the mission of the VSP. He has a distinguished career in public health, having served as a commissioned officer for several governmental agencies. During his 26+ years as a commissioned officer, he completed assignments with the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Park Service, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). His work initiating monitoring measures, delivering high-quality evaluation processes of outbreak management plans, and undertaking quality research has been recognized by both the government and private sector. As a Naval Officer, George served as an Environmental Health Officer, Occupational Health/Preventive Medicine Branch, Naval Medical Clinics Command (San Diego, CA), the United States Naval Hospital (Subic Bay, RP as both Environmental Health Officer and Epidemiologist)and as Staff Environmental Health Officer, Military Sealift Command (Oakland, CA). He served in two assignments with the U.S. Coast Guard: first as the Marine Occupational Health Coordinator/District Industrial Hygienist, Ninth Coast Guard District (Cleveland, OH), and second as the Chief, Environmental Health and Industrial Hygiene, Maintenance and Logistics Command, Pacific (Alameda, CA). George held assignments to the Southeast Region of the National Park Service. As Regional Public Health Consultant, he was responsible for all aspects of public health impacting park staff and visitors for 60 parks in the National Park system. Since 2003, he has provided valuable environmental and epidemiological services to major international cruise companies. Since retirement from active duty, George continued his work in public health as a Public Health Consultant to the CDC Vessel Sanitation Program and the international cruise industry. In addition, George is currently a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) candidate in Health Policy and Management at the University of Georgia College of Public Health with plans to graduate in December 2022.