The Community Guide Staff
Community Guide staff provide scientific, technical, and administrative support to the Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF). The staff are based at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and include epidemiologists, behavioral and social scientists, systematic review methodologists, statisticians, economists, clinicians, communication specialists, health educators, and policy experts. Community Guide staff members do the following:
- Coordinate systematic review teams
- Assure that each review is scientifically conducted according to approved methods
- Write and publish review findings
- Disseminate and participate in the translation of review findings to intended users including public health practitioners, policymakers, and researchers
- Create and maintain partnerships with representatives of intended user audiences
- Develop and refine systematic review methods
- Provide consultation and training about systematic reviews and developing evidence-based recommendations
CDC Community Guide Staff Members
Amy Lansky, PhD, MPH
Director
David Scharf, MPH
Deputy Director
Gayle Langley, MD
Lead for Systematic Review Science Team
Richard Quartarone
Lead for Partnership and Dissemination Team
Sajal K. Chattopadhyay, PhD
Economist
Ramona Finnie, DrPH, MPH, CHES
Service Fellow
David P. Hopkins, MD, MPH
Coordinating Scientist and Chief Medical Officer
Verughese Jacob, PhD, MPH, MS
Senior Service Fellow
E. Anitra Moreland, JD, MEd
Health Policy and Issues Management Analyst
Yinan Peng, PhD, MPH
Health Scientist
Jeff Reynolds, MPH
Health Scientist
Renee Stein, PhD
Coordinating Scientist
Helen Talley-McRae, BA
Health Communication Specialist
Bianca Tenney, MPH, MA
Health Scientist
Kenya Turner, BSBA
Program Specialist
Consultants and Contractors
Arielle Arnold, MS
Project Coordinator
Joe Bryce, BSBA
Web Developer
Leigh Ramsey Buchanan, PhD, MS
Health Scientist
Maria Galluzzo, MPH, CHES
Health Communications and Implementation Scientist
Stacy Harmon, PhD
Behavioral Scientist
Biographical Sketches
Federal Staff
Amy Lansky, PhD, MPH
Amy Lansky serves as director of the Community Guide Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Science (OS). In this role, she oversees the prioritization, production, and communication of evidence-based systematic reviews on the effectiveness and economics of public health programs, services, and other interventions. This includes supporting the Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF), disseminating CPSTF recommendations and findings, and building and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with partners.
Since joining CDC in 1991, Dr. Lansky’s achievements have included developing and evaluating behavioral interventions for HIV prevention, conducting epidemiologic research to inform HIV prevention programs and policy development, and designing and implementing surveillance systems. She served as deputy director for surveillance, epidemiology, and laboratory science in the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention at CDC from 2008-2014. From 2015-2017 she served as director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy and as senior policy advisor in the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Dr. Lansky has published more than 80 papers in peer-reviewed journals and CDC’s flagship publication, MMWR, about issues such as population size estimates for groups at risk for HIV, sampling methods for reaching high-risk populations, and uptake of HIV prevention guidelines.
Dr. Lansky holds doctoral and master’s degrees in public health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Swarthmore College.
David Scharf, MPH
David Scharf, MPH, is the Deputy Director for the Office of Scientific Evidence and Recommendations. In this role, he oversees management and operations for the program and operational support to the Community Preventive Services Task Force.
Mr. Scharf joined CDC in 1997 as member of the first class of Public Health Prevention Service fellows. Most recently he served as Senior Public Health Advisor and Deputy Director for the Division of Global Health Protection’s Strategic Science Office. While in DGHP, Mr. Scharf supported CDC global response to COVID-19 and Ebola, including project management of the 2017 Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal’s special supplement on global health security. Mr. Scharf also worked in the CDC Office of the Chief of Staff and helped coordinate strategy and innovation across CDC infectious disease activities.
Mr. Scharf completed his MPH degree with a concentration in epidemiology at the San Diego State University Graduate School of Public Health and holds an undergraduate degree in biochemistry from Occidental College in Los Angeles.
Gayle Langley, MD
Gayle Langley serves as the lead for the Systematic Review Science Team in the Community Guide Program. In this role she manages and oversees a team of scientists who conduct systematic reviews of effectiveness and economic evidence on behalf of the Community Preventive Services Task Force. She functions as a key member of the leadership team in CGP, serving as scientific advisor to the CGP Director and provides standards for conducting and reporting on systematic reviews.
Dr. Langley joined CDC in 2006 as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer (EISO) in the Division of Viral Hepatitis. She has since worked on respiratory diseases as medical director of the Emerging Infections Program’s Active Bacterial Core Surveillance in the Division of Bacterial Diseases and as lead of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus Team in the Division of Viral Diseases. Most recently, Dr. Langley served as lead for the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System Team, which tracks antibiotic resistant enteric infections.
Since joining CDC in 2006, Dr. Langley has published more than 60 papers in peer-reviewed journals and CDC’s MMWR on topics such as the epidemiology and prevention of hepatitis and respiratory viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). She was senior author on a paper modeling the impact of immunization products on medically-attended RSV infections in infants for which she received a Nakano citation and was nominated for a CDC Sheppard Award in 2019. In 2012, she received an “Innovations in Surveillance Award” from CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Dr. Langley held leadership roles in the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and COVID-19 responses at CDC, and she participated in CDC responses to influenza H1N1, Ebola, and Zika viruses.
Dr. Langley holds a medical degree from the University of Rochester, a master’s degree in public health from the University of Michigan, and a bachelor’s degree in business management from Cornell University. Dr. Langley completed her residency in pediatrics and worked four years as a general pediatrician before joining CDC.
Richard Quartarone
Richard Quartarone serves as the lead of the Partnership and Dissemination Team in the Community Guide Program (CGP). In this role, he manages a team of health communication professionals who develop and promote CPSTF and Community Guide products. He functions as a key member of the CGP leadership team, serving as a communication advisor to the CGP Director by developing communication strategies, products, and standards to strengthen partnerships and expand the Community Guide’s reach.
Mr. Quartarone has 25 years of experience in public health, communication, and community engagement. He joined CDC in 2009, and most recently served as a health communication specialist for CDC’s Immunization Services Division (ISD). In ISD, he led several scientific and programmatic communication activities and partner engagement initiatives that improved implementation of domestic immunization activities. Prior to joining CDC, Mr. Quartarone worked in local and state public health as well as public relations, focusing on health care, higher education, technology, and media relations.
Sajal K. Chattopadhyay, PhD
Dr. Chattopadhyay is the principal economic advisor for the Community Guide Program. He directs the Community Guide’s economic reviews. He previously served as a senior economist at CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control and as the chief of the Prevention Effectiveness Branch in the Epidemiology Program Office at CDC. Before joining CDC, he was a member of the economics faculty at the University of Connecticut. Dr. Chattopadhyay is a founding member of the International Health Economics Association. He coordinated the collaborative work between CDC and the Institute of Medicine on re-estimating health benefits of federal regulations with different health-related quality-of-life measures and, more recently, served as an economic advisor for the Purchaser’s Guide to Clinical Preventive Services. Dr. Chattopadhyay received his doctorate in economics with a specialization in health economics.
Ramona Finnie, DrPH, MPH, CHES
Dr. Finnie is a health scientist with the Community Guide Program working on the effectiveness review team for social determinants of health. Dr. Finnie has been with the Community Guide Program since 2011 and has contributed to systematic reviews on topics including mental health, obesity, cardiovascular disease, tobacco control, and social determinants of health. Dr. Finnie holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology, a Master of Public Health with a concentration in behavioral science and health education, and a doctor of public health (DrPH) degree with a global health concentration.
David P. Hopkins MD, MPH
Dr. Hopkins joined the Community Guide Program in 1997. He now serves as medical officer while continuing to coordinate and conduct systematic reviews on a wide variety of topics. Dr. Hopkins is board certified in Internal Medicine and has a master’s degree in public health. In 1995, after two years practicing clinical medicine in California, Dr. Hopkins joined CDC as an EIS officer and spent two years assigned to the New York State Tuberculosis Control Bureau in Albany, New York.
Verughese Jacob, PhD, MPH, MS
Dr. Jacob has been an economist with the Community Guide Program since 2008. During the time, he has contributed to the development and refinement of methods for systematic economic reviews and completed numerous reviews in a range of topic areas. Prior to joining CDC, Jacob consulted for affirmative public procurement programs that promote development of disadvantaged businesses. Jacob holds a doctorate in economics and master’s degrees in public health and in applied statistics.
E. Anitra Moreland, JD, MEd
Anitra Moreland is a health policy and issues management analyst for the Community Guide Program. In this role, she manages policy issues for the Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) and the Community Guide Program, including the production of the CPSTF Annual Report to Congress.
Ms. Moreland has nearly 20 years of experience related to compliance with statutes and legal regulations in the public health, healthcare and special education fields. She joined HHS in 2005, where she worked as a federal investigator for the HHS Office of the Secretary. In 2014, Ms. Moreland joined CDC as an ethics program specialist. In this role, she served as the ethics policy liaison and subject matter expert, led agency-wide trainings on several ethics and compliance topics, and facilitated agency wide partnerships. Prior to her employment at HHS, Ms. Moreland worked in policy and special education compliance areas with the U.S. Department of Education and the Florida Department of Education.
Ms. Moreland holds a Juris Doctor and a Certificate in Family Law from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law, a master’s degree in Special Education from Vanderbilt University and a bachelor’s degree in Special Education and Cognitive Psychology from Vanderbilt University.
Yinan Peng, PhD, MPH
Dr. Peng is a Health Scientist in the Community Guide Program, leading reviews to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to improve public health emergency preparedness and response, HIV screening, cancer screening, health equity, diabetes management, and tobacco control. Dr. Peng was a ORISE fellow with the Community Guide Program for several years and examined the effectiveness of various tobacco control interventions and school dismissal to reduce the spread of influenza virus during pandemics. Prior to joining the Community Guide Program, Dr. Peng served with the U.S. Peace Corps in Kenya and Botswana, where she worked on HIV/AIDS related issues. Dr. Peng holds a doctorate in molecular and cellular pharmacology and a master’s degree in public health.
Jeff Reynolds, MPH
Mr. Reynolds is a health scientist with the Community Guide Program, working on the effectiveness review teams for cardiovascular disease and physical activity. Mr. Reynolds has been with the Community Guide Program since 2011, as both an ORISE research fellow and a contractor. He has contributed to systematic reviews on topics including excessive alcohol use, diabetes, mental health, motor vehicle injury, and tobacco control. He holds a bachelor of science degree in cellular biology and microbiology and a master’s degree in public health with a concentration in epidemiology.
Renee Stein, PhD
Dr. Stein is a coordinating scientist with the Community Guide Program, where she leads systematic reviews on health equity and social determinants of health. Prior to joining the Community Guide Program, Dr. Stein worked in CDC’s Division of Human Development and Disability where she led the Disability Science and Program Team and oversaw epidemiological and programmatic support for CDC-funded disability and health programs (2019-2020). Before that, she served as a behavioral scientist with the Community-based Organizations Monitoring and Evaluation Team within the Program Evaluation Branch in CDC’s Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention (2005-2019). Her work focused on monitoring and evaluating HIV prevention and surveillance programs, facilitating the use of data to improve programs, and improving understanding of HIV-related health disparities and social determinants of health. Dr. Stein holds doctoral and master’s degrees in psychology from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Florida.
Helen Talley-McRae, BA
Helen Talley-McRae is a health communication specialist with the Partnership and Dissemination Team in the Community Guide Program (CGP). In this role, she leads the development of CPSTF and The Community Guide promotional products and resources for partners. She also contributes to The Community Guide and CPSTF partnership and communication strategies.
Ms. Talley-McRae has more than 25 years of communication experience, including 10 years at CDC. Prior to joining CGP, she supported internal communications for the Office of the Chief Information Officer. While working with the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), she coordinated a monthly webinar series, led communications for NCEZID’s health equity office, developed web content, and managed social media activities.
Bianca Tenney, MPH, MA
Bianca Tenney is a health scientist with the Community Guide Program where she assists with development of systematic reviews. Previously, Ms. Tenney worked as a Virtual Student Federal Service Intern with the Translation and Evaluation Branch in CDC’s Division of HIV Prevention. While there, she collaborated with the Community Guide Program on a systematic review evaluating the effectiveness of HIV Partner Services interventions. Before joining CDC, Ms. Tenney worked at the Georgia Institute of Technology in various capacities within the academic units, Real Estate Development Office, and Institutional Research and Planning. Ms. Tenney holds a bachelor’s degree in linguistics (with an anthropological focus) from Emory University, and two master’s degrees from Georgia State University in French linguistics and afro-francophone culture and public health with a concentration in epidemiology.
Kenya Turner, BSBA
Kenya Turner is a program specialist in the Community Guide Program and is responsible for the logistics, planning, and execution of CPSTF meetings. Ms. Turner’s administrative and quality control profession has afforded her opportunities in both the federal government and private sector. Her experience brought her to CDC in 2004, where she started as a contractor. She has since worked in the Division of Select Agents and Toxins, the Division of Strategic National Stockpile, and the Center for Global Health. Ms. Turner received her Bachelors of Science in Business Administrative with a concentration in healthcare management. She has a passion for customer service and helping others.
Consultants and Contractors
Arielle Arnold, MS
Ms. Arnold (Cherokee Nation Integrated Health) is a project coordinator in the Community Guide Program. In this role, she develops and manages processes, plans, and tools for tracking, managing, and reporting on Community Guide Program projects. Previously, Ms. Arnold served as a project specialist for InterContinental Hotels Group, where she was responsible for project planning, analyzing, implementing, and facilitating the Design and Construction Team’s various initiatives, global programs, and team trainings. Ms. Arnold has expertise in human resources-related projects, tasks, and systems. She has a Bachelor of Arts in communications and a Master’s of Science in business.
Joe Bryce, BSBA
Mr. Bryce (Cherokee Nation Integrated Health) serves as web developer on the Partnerships and Dissemination Team of the Community Guide Program and is responsible for the design and maintenance of the Community Guide website. Mr. Bryce has more than fifteen years experience in web development and design and has managed sites for a wide range of clients, including CDC’s Public Health Library. Mr. Bryce holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration and information systems management.
Leigh Ramsey Buchanan, PhD, MS
Dr. Ramsey Buchanan (Cherokee Nation Integrated Health) is a health scientist with the Community Guide Program, working on the effectiveness review teams for obesity, women’s health, public health emergency preparedness and response, and cancer screening. Dr. Ramsey Buchanan began working with the Community Guide Program in 2000 as a research fellow. In 2002, she joined CDC as an Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) officer assigned to the New Hampshire State Health Department and went on to work with CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. Dr. Ramsey Buchanan holds a doctorate in physiology and a master’s degree in exercise physiology.
Maria Galluzzo, MPH, CHES
Ms. Galluzzo (Cherokee Nation Integrated Health) is a health communications and implementation scientist on the Partnerships and Dissemination Team of the Community Guide Program. Prior to this position, she worked as a contract health communicator for ASRT, Inc assigned to CDC. Ms. Galluzzo has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, a Master of Public Health in Social Behavior and Community Health, and is a Certified Health Education Specialist.
Stacy Harmon, PhD
Dr. Harmon (Cherokee Nation Integrated Health) is a behavioral scientist with the Community Guide Program, currently working in the areas of social determinants of health and substance use prevention. She has been with the Community Guide Program since 2019 and has contributed to systematic reviews on topics including heart disease and stroke prevention, physical activity, tobacco cessation, and mental health. Dr. Harmon holds a PhD in sociology.