The Linda Saltzman New Investigator Award recognizes an outstanding new investigator with 2-10 years of experience working in the field of the prevention of intimate partner violence, domestic violence, sexual violence or dating violence. Futures Without Violence, CDC and a committee of experts selects an outstanding individual to receive the award every other year. The recipient receives passage to the National Conference on Health and Domestic Violence and a stipend.

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About Dr. Linda Saltzman

Senior Scientist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Linda Saltzman, PhD, connected research to policy and science to advocacy in ways that broke new ground, challenging the research community to explore violence and helping advocates base their work on science.

Dr. Saltzman worked at the CDC from 1984 until her death in 2005. While there, she initiated numerous studies that built understanding about the causes and consequences of domestic and sexual violence. Much of her work focused on public health surveillance of violence against women, and violence as it relates to pregnancy and other reproductive health issues. She helped develop and test uniform definitions for intimate partner and sexual violence, which have made data collection more effective. She became one of the CDC’s top experts on violence, and one of the violence prevention movement’s most trusted allies. A highly regarded expert, Dr. Saltzman authored and co-authored several groundbreaking studies including Intimate Partner Violence Surveillance: Uniform Definitions and Recommended Data Elements.

The William C. Watson Jr. Medal of Excellence is the highest honor bestowed by CDC.

This award was originally called the CDC Medal of Excellence and was renamed when Bill Watson retired from his post as CDC’s deputy director. It recognizes extraordinary employees who consistently strive for and achieve superior scientific and technical results.

Bill Watson, who passed away in 2013, served CDC for 36 years and embodied the leadership and problem-solving qualities that are hallmarks of the agency today. The award honors scientific research and activities that have affected the past, present, and future enhancement of CDC and its mission.

Bill and his wife, Marge, who passed away in 2007, were so passionate about public health and recognizing the notable achievements of CDC employees that they established the Marge and Bill Watson Endowment at the CDC Foundation to support the activities of this award.

On April 19, 1994, six members of the EIS Class of 1969 gathered for their 25th reunion. While together, they decided to establish the Paul C. Schnitker Award named in memory of their classmate who died in the line of duty in 1969. Paul Schnitker was killed in a plane crash near Lagos, Nigeria, where he was going to serve as a medical advisor to refugee relief efforts related to the Biafra civil war. The first Schnitker Award was given in 1995 and was funded by gifts in memory of Dr. Schnitker from friends and colleagues. In 1999, the Schnitker family permanently endowed the fund. The award includes a cash prize, an individual plaque and inscription of the winners name on the permanent plaque at CDC. Each year the Schnitker Award is presented at the annual EIS conference to recognize outstanding contributions to global public health by current EIS officers.

Iain Hardy came to CDC in 1992 as an EIS Officer after completing training in pediatric infectious diseases and receiving a Masters in Public Health. While at CDC he was assigned to the National Immunization Program and was known for his important work evaluating the U.S. surveillance system for pertussis and the efficacy of pertussis vaccine during a resurgence of the disease in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1993. Later, findings from a study Dr. Hardy conducted on adult vaccination for diphtheria during an epidemic of the disease in Russia and other independent states of the former Soviet Union in the early 1990s were instrumental in developing WHOs strategy for prevention and control of diphtheria.

In October 1995, Iain Hardy drowned in a mountain lake in Veyrier-du-Lac, France where he was attending a meeting of immunization program managers. In his memory family and friends made donations to establish the Iain Hardy Memorial Award which is presented each year at the annual EIS Conference to honor an Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) officer or recent graduate (within five years) for contributions to the control of vaccine-preventable diseases.

When Joanna Buffington, M.D., EIS '90 accepted a position working on hepatitis surveillance and prevention programs at CDC in 1998, she decided to sell the shares of Merck stock she had received as Christmas gifts from her grandparents when she was growing up. Because Merck makes hepatitis vaccines, Dr. Buffington wanted to remove any chance of perceived conflict of interest, so she sold the stock and donated $20,000 to the CDC Foundation to permanently endow the annual Alexander D. Langmuir Prize.

The Alexander D. Langmuir Prize, established in 1966, is awarded each year during the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Annual Conference to a current officer or first year alumnus of the EIS for the best scientific publication. The award consists of a $100 cash prize, an engraved paperweight, a case of ale or beer redolent of the John Snow Pub in London, and an inscription on the permanent plaque at CDC. Creating the endowment gave Dr. Buffington a way to honor her grandparents while ensuring that future EIS officers would be rewarded for their hard work.

Ever wonder how CDC scientists merge old-fashioned detective work with high-tech science to crack the cases of mystery diseases? Get the story! Visit the David J. Sencer CDC Museum. This unique museum features award-winning permanent and changing exhibitions that focus on a variety of public health topics, as well as the history of CDC. The museum is a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate which provides access to unique programming, content and expertise. The museum is free and open to the public.

Support the Museum

The CDC Foundation offers unique opportunities for individuals and organizations to support the David J. Sencer CDC Museum. You can make a gift in any amount to the CDC Foundation to support museum programming and operations. Make a gift online and direct your gift to the David J. Sencer CDC Museum.

You may also choose to sponsor an exhibit or a program related to an exhibit to help educate hundreds of visitors about a public health topic and highlight CDC's role in fighting disease and improving health for all. Past exhibits include photo exhibitions, art installations and interactive multimedia learning experiences. 

Visit the Museum

The David J. Sencer CDC Museum is the only part of CDC open to the public. Admission and parking are free.

The museum is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM with hours extended on Thursday to 7:00 PM. The museum is closed on all federal holidays.

The museum is located at:
1600 Clifton Road, NE
at CDC Parkway
Atlanta, Georgia 30333

For driving directions, parking information and security requirements, visit http://www.cdc.gov/museum/visitor.htm.