Dear colleagues,

The annual FETP International Nights event is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the field epidemiology calendar. In spite of the challenges posed by the pandemic, we are pleased to be able to bring our network together virtually for this event for the second year in a row—however, I very much look forward to the day when we can resume our tradition of hosting FETP International Nights in person during the EIS Conference in Atlanta!

FETP International Nights is an opportunity to highlight the achievements of FETP residents and graduates, and as I read this year’s accepted abstracts, I could not be more impressed. One cannot help but marvel at the dedication and contributions of FETP residents and graduates to public health during this pandemic and the support of their mentors and supervisors. While much of the world’s focus has been on COVID-19, FETPs are helping to strengthen their countries’ health systems to better detect and respond to a wide range of public health threats. We must increase field epidemiology capacity in every country to ensure a healthier world.

We are at a crucial juncture in the Global Field Epidemiology Roadmap, with its recommendations which are designed to strengthen global field epidemiology capacity and FETPs. TEPHINET is coordinating the efforts of working groups tasked with developing implementation plans for each of the recommendations of the Roadmap. In addition, TEPHINET is coordinating the FETP Learning Advisory Council (FLAC) and its working groups to implement a comprehensive learning strategy for the FETP Enterprise in order to ensure a well-trained and professional global field epidemiology workforce.

These efforts represent the commitment that TEPHINET, CDC, and numerous partners and stakeholders have to ensuring that FETP residents and graduates are appropriately trained and mentored to be the boots on the ground for outbreak detection and response. A survey conducted by CDC and TEPHINET confirmed that many programs are engaged in activities related to COVID-19. This includes surveillance, screening, case investigation, contact tracing, clinical management and infection control guidance, cooperation with regional FETPs, and rapid response teams in Emergency Operations Centers. None of this would have been possible without the support and mentoring of numerous partners and stakeholders in the ongoing drive to build and strengthen field epidemiology capacity worldwide.

International Nights showcases the invaluable work of these in-country disease detectives, and TEPHINET would like to take this opportunity to congratulate each of the presenters and salute their trainers, mentors, and supervisors.

Sincerely,

Carl