MDCH - About the SHARP Unit

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About the SHARP Unit

The Surveillance for Healthcare-Associated & Resistant Pathogens (SHARP) Unit was officially formed in February of 2009 within the Surveillance and Infectious Disease Epidemiology (SIDE) Section of the Communicable Disease Division, Bureau of Disease Control, Prevention and Epidemiology, Michigan Department of Community Health.

Communicable Disease Division Mission Statement

The mission of the Communicable Disease Division is to ensure the health and well being of Michigan residents by using education, technology and the epidemiological process, in collaboration with local, state, federal and international partners, to promote data driven decisions, and to detect and prevent communicable diseases.

SIDE Section Mission Statement

The mission of the Surveillance and Infectious Disease Epidemiology Section is to improve the surveillance, prevention and control of communicable disease in the State of Michigan. Our goals are:

To monitor, rapidly detect and investigate infectious disease using epidemiological methods
To develop and maintain multiple surveillance systems including MDSS
To support and collaborate with our public health and healthcare partners
To develop and enhance capacity to respond to issues of public health importance
To provide education and guidance to assist with prevention of infectious disease

SIDE Section Organization

SHARP Unit Mission Statement

The SHARP Unit's mission is to coordinate activities related to HAI surveillance and prevention in Michigan, improve surveillance and detection of antimicrobial-resistant and healthcare-associated infections, identify and respond to disease outbreaks, use collected data to monitor trends, and educate healthcare providers and the general public.

Contact Us

By Mail:
Michigan Department of Community Health - SHARP Unit
201 Townsend St
Capitol View Building, 5th Floor
P.O. Box 30195
Lansing, MI 48909

By Phone:
(517) 335-8165 (Mon-Fri 8AM-5PM)
(517) 335-9030 (After Hours/Holidays)

By Fax:
(517) 335-8263

By Email:
Jennie Finks, DVM, MVPH
Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI) Coordinator and SHARP Unit Manager
FinksJ@michigan.gov

Judy Weber, MPH
Healthcare Facility Liaison
WeberJ4@michigan.gov

Jennifer Beggs, MPH
Infectious Disease and Preparedness Epidemiologist
BeggsJ@michigan.gov

Allison Gibson, MPH
National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Epidemiologist
GibsonA4@michigan.gov

Gail Denkins, RN
Prevention Initiative Coordinator
DenkinsG@michigan.gov

Joseph Coyle, MPH
Infection Control Consultant
CoyleJ@michigan.gov

Brenda Brennan, MSPH
Prevention Initiative Coordinator
BrennanB@michigan.gov

Prashanti Boinapally, MD, MSc
Prevention Initiative Epidemiologist
BoinapallyP@michigan.gov

Website Suggestions:
Suggestions for the website are always welcome. Please email Jennie Finks with any ideas that you might have to make this website better! Please put "SHARP Unit Website" in the subject line of your email.