Enrollment Information
1-800-422-4LLU (1-800-422-4558)
OPHP&WD PERSONNEL
Jesse C. Bliss, MPH
Director, Practice Coordinator
LLU Office of Public Health Practice
Center for Public Health Preparedness
Native American Health Liaison,
LLU School of Public Health
Mr. Bliss holds a BA in Psychology from La Sierra University and is an alumnus of Loma Linda University School of Public Health where he received his MPH in Global Health and received graduate certificates in health geoinformatics (GIS for public health) and humanitarian assistance. Since the mid 90s, he has passionately been involved in international service delivery and development work in the Pacific Islands, Central America, and East Africa. A faculty member in both the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and in Global Health at LLU, his commitment to culturally cognizant public health practice is evident in both his local and internationally focused activities.
Areas of Expertise and InterestEmergency preparedness and response: he has just recently completed the development of a graduate certificate in this field.
Native American health and Tribal preparedness: He works directly with Tribes as well as through partnerships with NGOs and local county health departments to further disaster preparedness and enhance the environmental health capacity of Native Tribes.
Geographic information systems (GIS).
Areas of interest include cultural and language studies, infectious and communicable disease surveillance and prevention, and international food security/nutrition issues.
Jesse C. Bliss
Email: jbliss@llu.edu
David T. Dyjack, DrPH, CIH
Dean,
School of Public Health
PI,
Center for Public Health Preparedness
Dr. Dyjack received a doctorate in public health from the University of Michigan; an MSPH in industrial hygiene from the University of Utah; and is a board certified industrial hygienist. He has provided management and leadership in varied public health activities since the mid-1980s. These efforts included management of grants and contracts for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); Department of Labor; the Department of Defense and California Department of Health Services. Additionally, he has provided consultations to the International Labour Organization (ILO), Saudi Aramco, Exxon, and Texaco, among others. Dr. Dyjack is principal investigator for the school's Center for Public Health Preparedness and Regional Academic Center of Excellence in Environmental Health.
Areas of Expertise and InterestPublic health workforce capacity building, industrial hygiene, and emergency preparedness
David T. Dyjack
Email: ddyjack@llu.edu
Walleska I. Bliss, MPH
CPHP Project Coordinator;
Program Manager,
Faith-based and Special Populations Preparedness
LLU Center for Public Health Preparedness
Ms. Bliss is an alumnus of Loma Linda University School of Public Health with an MPH in Global Health and a BSW from La Sierra University. Her public health experience includes overseas work with non-governmental organizations in Latin America and Africa. She has worked with government agencies to assess the psychosocial and environmental health factors affecting children and families. She is also experienced in working with vulnerable and marginalized populations such as the developmentally disabled and substance abusers, as well as mental health for counseling and rehabilitation services.
Areas of Expertise and Interest
Ms. Bliss's expertise and interests include public health preparedness for special needs populations. This includes developing and maintaining partnerships with faith- and community-based organizations for emergency preparedness and response planning.
Other interests include working internationally with underserved populations to improve quality of life and health practices involving communicable and infectious disease prevention, maternal-child health and nutrition, and research and writing.
Walleska I. Bliss, MPH
Email: wbliss@llu.edu
Venice Brown, BSW
Conference/Workshop Coordinator
LLU Center for Public Health Preparedness
Assistant Director
Continuing Professional Education
Ms. Brown oversees the CPE office of Loma Linda University School of Public Health under the Office of Public Health Practice and Workforce Development. She has a BSW from Southern Adventist University. She coordinates university conferences including Healthy People, Crisis and Risk Communication, Spirituality and Health, Grant Writing, and World AIDS Day. She also provides continuing education units via workshops and seminars for the University.
Venice Brown
Email: vbrown@llu.edu
Andrea Champlin, MPH
Program Manager,
School and Community-based Organization Preparedness,
LLU Center for Public Health Preparedness
Andrea Champlin received her Master's in Public Health from Loma Linda University School of Public Health. Her MPH is in Global Health with an emphasis in humanitarian assistance (she holds a graduate certificate in this area). Ms. Champlin's background includes twelve years teaching experience prior to joining the Office of Public Health Practice and Workforce Development staff, which makes her eminently qualified to serve as the Center's Program Manager for the School and Community-based Preparedness Initiative. Her area of expertise is curriculum development and delivery, which is enhanced by her fluency in Spanish.
Areas of Expertise and InterestPreparedness planning, training, and exercises
Andrea Champlin
Email: achamplin@llu.edu
Manjit (Mike) Randhawa, MD, MPH(c)
Project Manager,
Tribal Preparedness and Limited/non-English Speaking Populations Preparedness,
LLU Center for Public Health Preparedness
Dr. Randhawa received his BS in Biology from University of California, San Diego, and went on to get his medical degree from University of Szeged, Hungary. Currently Dr. Randhawa is working on his MPH in Lifestyle Medicine at Loma Linda University School of Public Health. Since his graduation from medical school, he has joined us at the Office of Public Health Practice to enhance his experience in public health. He plans to pursue a residency in preventive medicine and a fellowship in addiction medicine.
Manjit (Mike) Randhawa
Email: mrandhawa@llu.edu
Maurice (Tony) Adkins, MPH(c)
Pandemic Influenza Coordinator
LLU Center for Public Health Preparedness
Mr. Adkins is alumnus of University of California, Riverside, where he received his BS in neuroscience. He is currently working on completing his MPH in Global Epidemiology and receiving a certificate in health geoinformatics from Loma Linda University School of Public Health. Since the beginning of his undergraduate career he has been involved in medical mission trips in north and central Vietnam, which lead to him starting a clinic in Central America that is still functioning. Within the Center for Public Health Preparedness, Tony has taken the lead on pandemic influenza preparedness. He reviews daily, the international avian influenza situation throughout Southeast Asia, and works to integrate this information along with the current best practices for workplace, home and personal preparedness for the non-pharmaceutical prevention of the spread of influenza.
Areas of Expertise and InterestWithin CPHP, Mr. Adkins continues to develop his knowledge and expertise in the epidemiology and containment of influenza. His critical focus on this subject ensures LLU CPHP's trainings and presentations on the growing and persistent threat of the next pandemic are relevant and valuable to our partners and our community.
His areas of interest include spatial epidemiology analysis using global information systems, surveillance of emerging infectious and communicable diseases, and working with marginalized communities both foreign and domestic.
Maurice (Tony) Adkins
Email: madkins@llu.edu
Burton Clark, BSB
Project Mananger,
Faith-based Preparedness Initiative (FBPI)
LLU Center for Public Health Preparedness
Mr. Clark is an alumnus of University of Phoenix with a BS in Business Marketing. Over the last few years he has started a series of small businesses focused on defined market niches. During the last year he has turned the focus of his energy and attention to the building and growth of disaster response preparedness, awareness and training. This preparedness has focused on Faith Based Organizations (FBOs) in the San Bernardino and Riverside areas. It has been his purpose to redefine these groups approach to disaster preparedness, response, and community involvement.
Areas of Expertise and InterestThe continued growth and management of emergency preparedness, disaster response training, and community outreach. Focusing on faith based organizations; specifically, focusing on churches and schools.
Other interests include: Developing sustainable funding for public health practice activities and initiatives by and through the development and growth of marketable products and trainings through the Office of Public Health Practice for both national and international organizations and entities.
Burton Clark
Email: bclark@llu.edu