William M. Sappenfield, M.D., M.P.H.

William M. Sappenfield, M.D., M.P.H.
State MCH Epidemiologist and Chief of the Office of Surveillance, Evaluation and Epidemiology, Division of Family Health Services, Florida Department of Health.

As both a pediatrician and an epidemiologist, Dr. Bill Sappenfield has more than 23 years of experience in epidemiological research and practice at a local, state and national level in maternal and child health.  As a nationally recognized leader in the field of maternal and child health epidemiology, Dr. Sappenfield has spent most of his career as a CDC epidemiologist working with state and local public health agencies to enhance their capacity to use epidemiology to improve the health of the women and children they serve.  This includes being assigned to state public health agencies in Massachusetts, Mississippi and South Carolina, working directly on assignment with City MatCH, a national public health organization working with MCH Leaders in urban public health agencies, and serving four years as Team Leader of CDC’s MCH Epidemiology Program where he was directly responsible for the national effort.  In his position with the Florida Department of Health, his responsibilities are now to lead the Department’s MCH epidemiology efforts including directing an office of seven epidemiologists, working with programs across the Department, collaborating with state agencies, organizations, and universities; and assisting County Health Departments and community coalitions.  Dr. Sappenfield has taught multiple training workshops and classes on the practice of epidemiology in maternal and child health.