Heidi Sato

Dr. Heidi Sato received a B.S. in Nutrition and Food Science from the University of California, Berkeley, a Master of Public Health from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. in Health Sciences from Touro University. She has 20 years of experience as an epidemiologist, professor, and administrator. She is currently working with a team to minimize the spread and impact of COVID-19. While working for Los Angeles County Acute Communicable Disease Control Unit, she investigated over 60 outbreaks of infectious diseases. She has also conducted epidemiologic analysis of restaurant inspections and provided consultation to senior management at Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. She received an award for her development of Foodborne Illness Advisor, a database application which advises inspectors regarding foodborne illness complaints. She has served as an expert witness for the largest hepatitis A outbreak in the U.S. She has also previously served as the Chair of an Institutional Review Board, Co-Director of an MSHS Program, and the Director of Institutional Research at another institution. In 2017, Dr. Sato began teaching for the MPH Program at Walden University and also serves on dissertation committees.

Dr. Sato's research interests include the epidemiology of infectious and chronic diseases, public health surveillance, health intelligence, and environmental epidemiology. She has presented at a number of conferences, including the World Congress on Environmental Health, National Environmental Health Association, West Coast Epidemiology Conference, and the American Public Health Association. She received an award from the American Public Health Association for her research focused on developing a structural equation model to predict foodborne illness outbreaks at restaurants. She has also conducted research at the World Health Organization and worked on a medical project in Ghana, West Africa.

Courses Taught

PUBH 6035 - Epidemiology: Uncovering the Science of Public Health

Education

PhD, Touro University

MPH, Columbia University

BS, University of California, Berkeley

Public Service

Operation Crossroads (Africa), Other - Suhum

Los Angeles County Disaster Communication Service, Member - Los Angeles

Sierra Madre Emergency Communications Team, Member - Sierra Madre

Awards / Honors

Student Abstract Award, American Public Health Association Epidemiology Section, 2008

Excellence in Environmental Health Award, California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health, 2003

Productivity and Quality Award, County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors, 2003

Certificate of Commendation, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, 2002

Publications

Sato, H., Strassburg, M. (2008). Predicting foodborne outbreaks at restaurants: Results of a risk assessment model. American Public Health Association

Crowe L, Lau W, McLeod L, Anand CM, Ciebin B, LeBer C , ... Sato , H. (1999). Outbreaks of Shigella Sonnei Infection Associated with Eating Fresh Parsley. MMWR

Sato, H. (1997). Campylobacteriosis. Communicable Disease Morbidity Report

Sato, H. (1997). Encephalitis. Communicable Disease Morbidity Report

Sato, H. (1997). Lyme Disease. Communicable Disease Morbidity Report

Sato, H. (1997). Shigellosis. Communicable Disease Morbidity Report

Sato, H. (1997). Viral Meningitis. Communicable Disease Morbidity Report

Sato, H., Chao S, Tormey M, Mascola L (1996). Communicable Disease Reporting Among Physicians: The Impact of Knowledge and Attitudes on Behavior. American Public Health Association

Sato, H. (1995). Communicable Disease Reporting Among Physicians: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Reporting Levels. Special Studies Report

Reporter, R., Bendana, N., Sato, H., Watson L, Matsumoto G, and Mascola L. (1993). Rare serotypes of Salmonella associated with iguana exposure . Program and Abstracts of the 33rd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy

Presentations

Sato, H. (2014). Independent (for-profit) Segment Meeting. California Association for Institutional Research

Sato, H. (2008). Predicting Foodborne Outbreaks at Restaurants: Results of a Risk Assessment Model. American Public Health Association

Sato, H. (2008). Predicting Foodborne Outbreaks at Restaurants: Results of a Risk Assessment Model:. National Environmental Health Association

Sato, H. (2002). Database Automation: An Innovative Approach to Enhance Surveillance, Screening, and Analysis of Foodborne Illness Complaint. California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health

Sato, H. (2002). Database Automation: An Innovative Approach to Enhance Surveillance, Screening, and Analysis of Foodborne Illness Complaints. World Congress on Environmental Health

Sato, H. (1996). Communicable Disease Reporting Among Physicians: The Impact of Knowledge and Attitudes on Behavior. American Public Health Association

Sato, H. (1993). Bloody Diarrhea Associated with Escherichia Coli 0157:H7 in a Retirement Home.

Reporter, R., Bendana, N., Sato, H. (1993). Rare Serotypes of Salmonella Associated with Iguana Exposure.