In preparation for launching an intermediate level of the Iraq Field Epidemiology Training Program (I-FETP), TEPHINET was one of several partners involved in coordinating an implementation and mentorship workshop for the new training tier.

The workshop was held from September 27 to October 1 in Muscat, Oman with the participation of key stakeholders to discuss and establish the necessary components of the intermediate rollout, such as an implementation timeline, program goals, and management structure. The workshop addressed the roles and responsibilities of the different stakeholders from the Iraqi ministries of health, higher education, and agriculture, as well as other partners including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET), in carrying the training program forward.

The mentorship component of the workshop aimed to give participants the skills needed to support and guide future intermediate I-FETP residents successfully through the program. Participants of the mentorship training consisted of approximately 25 future mentors, selected from across Iraq, who have already completed the program’s pre-selection requirements. Workshop activities taught mentors how to nurture the development of residents’ skills and capabilities, improve their problem-solving abilities, complete high-quality deliverables, and enjoy a well-rounded experience in the program.

TEPHINET provided logistics and coordination support to this event. Dr. Angela Hilmers, TEPHINET’s Senior Associate Director for Science, was in attendance.