Laura Aird, BS, MS

Laura D. Aird

4605 Thorntree Lane, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 | 847-287-5294 | [email protected]

Summary

A highly motivated, results-oriented, senior management professional offering extensive leadership, program implementation, grants management, and communications experience. Proficient in education and training, program development, grant writing and execution, publications creation, and survey production. Skilled in written and verbal communications. Exceptional proof-reader and editor. Experienced in administering public awareness campaigns and managing relationships with leaders and stakeholders. Expert in public health approaches including pediatrics, mental/behavioral health, and disaster management/emergency care.

Skills

Team participation/motivation
Program management
Relationship and network building
Oral and written communications
Education and training programs

Diplomacy and professionalism
Forward thinking/strategic planning
Website and content development
Mentor/supervisor/team lead
Grant and contract management

Experience

8/2022 to Present 9/2021 to 8/2022 5/2007 to 9/2021	Senior Project Manager, Emergency Medical Services for Children Innovation and Improvement Center (EIIC), University of Texas at Austin, Dell Medical School Provided management and oversight for EIIC quality improvement (QI) collaboratives for hospital teams focused on improving clinical care processes to address pediatric suicidality and improve the quality of pediatric emergency care. Launched, implemented, and completed the Pediatric Pandemic Network (PPN) Disaster Networking Collaborative to improve pediatric disaster preparedness and the infrastructure in children’s hospitals. Managed planning and promotion of the PPN Disaster Response Collaborative through submission of IRB and continuing education applications; developing mechanisms to record registration and team data; coordinated production of website, launch webinar and presentations, and session planning. Helped to produce promotional materials/graphics. Staffed select focus area groups. Health Communications Specialist III, Tanaq Technical Support Services, assisting with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Response Served on COVID-19 task forces, including acting as a health communications liaison from the Health Systems and Worker Safety Task Force to units/teams. Managed topical projects (e.g., Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome, COVID-19 oral antiviral medications, pediatric vaccine rollout) and related material development, including writing and clearance of CDC communication packages. Worked with contractors to plan and implement CDC educational webinars. Developed new web pages, submitted updates, and reported web metrics. Worked on the Expansion of Screening and Diagnostics Task Force (ESD TF) science team and offered input on materials/manuscripts submitted for CDC clearance. Participated in COVID-19 response team, task force, and other meetings. Joined the Vaccine Task Force and later the Immunization Services Division COVID Unit. Produced and disseminated a weekly newsletter for all immunization awardees, vaccine administrators, and health officials involved in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Supported the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Senior Manager, Emerging Threats and Disaster Management AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS － Itasca, Illinois Directed the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) disaster management initiatives. Created and managed the AAP Council on Children and Disasters and its workgroups, policy development, communications, and educational efforts. Collaborated with federal agencies, associations, and non-governmental organizations to encourage disaster and emergency planning for children. Supported work to enhance clinician career growth and development, along with education about all phases of emergency readiness and disaster management. Maintained the AAP Children and Disasters website and updated related content. Served as AAP organizational contact to facilitate response to disasters involving children and collaborated with federal agencies/non-governmental entities. Initiated/wrote funding proposals, implemented objectives/activities, achieved deliverables, and evaluated projects. Wrote detailed continuation/progress reports. Directed projects that led to publication of clinical guidance and research. Managed production of AAP policies, products, reports, resource kits, and manuals. Helped to plan CDC tabletop exercises; produced a pediatric exercise resource kit. Served on the AAP organizational Emergency Management Response Team. Assisted with AAP COVID-19 response; served on AAP COVID-19 core staff team.
1988 to 2007	Director and Manager Positions, American Academy of Pediatrics Continued… Served as Manager for Sections; Manager, Community-based Initiatives; Manager, Healthy Child Care America Campaign; and Director, Division of Community Health Services. Launched and staffed AAP initiatives, task forces, and AAP state chapter champion networks. Oversaw initiatives on breastfeeding, early education and child care; community-based health, mental/behavioral health, and immunizations.
2002 to 2006	Instructor, State of Illinois, Northern Illinois University － DeKalb, Illinois College of Health and Human Services, Family Consumer Nutrition Sciences Courses: "FCNS 489C Child Abuse and Neglect" and "FCNS 230 Child Development".
2003 to 2005	Consultant, Early Childhood Development and Family Center － Alexandria, Louisiana Integrated public health/evaluation efforts into a child care/family health center.
1986 to 1988	Manager, Child Abuse Prevention Program WORKING TO ELIMINATE CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, INC － Las Vegas, Nevada Partnered with law enforcement, public health, and educational officials on child abuse prevention and parent education programs for the state of Nevada.
1983 to 1986	Child Care Center Director CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SERVICES OF NEVADA － Henderson, Nevada Managed not-for-profit pre-school and child care program serving 75 children.
1981 to 1983	Child Care Center Director KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTERS, INC － Libertyville, Illinois Opened and managed child care center serving 125 infants and children.

Education and Training

Master of Science

Counseling and Educational Psychology, University of Nevada Las Vegas

Bachelor of Science

Human Resources & Family Studies, University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana (honors)

RECENT Publications

Leeb RT, Cree RA, Aird L, et al. A Framework for Coordination between Obstetric and Pediatric Providers in Public Health Emergencies: Lessons Learned from the Zika Outbreak in the United States, 2015 to 2017. Am J Perinatol. June 2020.
Shope TR, Walker BH, Aird L, Southward L, Martin JM. Influenza Vaccine Requirements in US Child Care Centers. J Ped Infect Dis, piz028, December 2019.
Shope T, Walker B, Aird L, etal. Pandemic influenza preparedness among child care center directors in 2008 and 2016. Pediatrics. June 2017;139; e20163690.
Krug S, Tait V, Aird L. Helping the helpers to help children: Advances by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatrics. August 2011;128;S37-S39.

Awards/membership

CDC/ATSDR Honor Award: Excellence in Public Health Service (2022)
Affiliate Member: AAP Council on Children and Disasters (2021 to Present)
AAP Pursuit of Excellence Award: COVID-19 Core Team Response (2020)

Financial relationships

There are no financial relationships to disclose.

Return to From Plans to Practice: Activities to Improve Disaster Response

Pediatric Pandemic Network Continuing Education

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Laura Aird, BS, MS

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