LYNN BAHTA
Work: 625 Robert Street N, Saint Paul, MN 55164 | 651-201-5505 | lynn.bahta@state.mn.us
Home: 92 River Woods Lane, Burnsville, MN 55337 | 612-220-4397 | lynnmaryb@gmail.com
Professional skills
Clinical nursing, pediatrics and critical care
Subject matter expertise, immunizations, vaccine hesitancy
Public health nursing
Health/nursing education
Education and training
University of Minnesota, School of Public Health, Minneapolis, MN
Masters in Public Health May 2019
Public Health Core Program Certificate 2016
National Board of Public Health Examiners, Certification 2019
Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN, Bachelor of Science, Nursing, GPA 3.86 1984
Arthur B. Ancker Memorial School of Nursing, St. Paul, MN, Diploma, Nursing 1975
Work Experience
Minnesota Department of Health 2001 to present
Immunization Program Clinical Consultant (2007 - present)
– Programmatic and technical immunization consultant for internal programs
– Subject matter expert for vaccine-related issues including vaccine-preventable disease outbreak response
– Clinical Editor of the “Got Your Shots” monthly newsletter for MDH immunization program
– Consultant to the Minnesota Immunization Practices Advisory Committee
– Consultant to local public health immunization programs, clinics, and health professionals
– Speaker at local, state, professional and national conferences
– Minnesota Vaccine Safety Coordinator
– COVID-19 response: Vaccine Safety, Workplace Lead, Training and education, Outreach to diverse communities
Key accomplishments:
– 2018: Special Emphasis Peer Review Panelist for a CDC Cooperative Grant Application
– 2016-present: AIM representative on the ACIP Zoster workgroup
– 2015-present: provide monthly Clinical Corner expertise to local public health immunization representatives
– 2013: Chaired Minnesota Immunization Practices Advisory Committee subgroup to develop a strategic plan to address vaccine hesitancy in Minnesota
– 2008-present: Provide leadership role in addressing vaccine hesitancy issues among Minnesota Somali parents
– 2007-2012: Member of National Association of Immunization Managers Vaccine Storage and Handling work group
– 2009: Directed clinician and public information lines during 2009 influenza pandemic response
– 2008: Collaborated with MN Board of Nursing to create vaccine protocols for local public health immunization programs
Supervisor, Immunization Clinical Unit (2001-2007)
– Minnesota Vaccines for Children Coordinator
– Managed Vaccines for Children (VFC) program staff
– Managed vaccine budget
– Provided staff oversight for adult immunization outreach activities
Key accomplishments:
– 2002-2003: Planned and executed smallpox vaccination clinic operations
– 2006: Formalized VFC policies and procedures for Minnesota’s VFC program
Immunization Action Coalition 1996-2001
Nurse Consultant
– Provided consultation to professionals in the area of immunization, risk communication, and hepatitis A and B prevention
– Created resources and tools used to improve clinic immunization practices
– Associate Editor, Needle Tips & the Hepatitis B Coalition News, Immunization Action Coalition’s nationally distributed publication
Key accomplishments:
– 1997-2000: Planning committee member for four national Perinatal Hepatitis B conferences
– 1999-2000: Subject matter consultant for production of a Vaccine Administration Techniques video produced by the Immunization Program at the California Department of Health and Human Services
Saint Paul Public Health 1990-1996
Public Health Nurse
– Manager: Lead Poisoning Prevention program (1990-1992); Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention program (1992-1994); TB prevention program (1994-1996)
– Immunization clinic staff: assessed immunization status, screened for contraindications and precautions, administered vaccinations (1990-1996)
– Case reporting, management and follow-up
– Patient/community education
– Development of educational materials
Key accomplishments:
– 1991: Developed standardized protocols and procedures related to lead prevention and hepatitis B programs
– 1992: Planned/executed statewide Lead Poisoning Prevention conference in collaboration with MDH
– 1995: Planned/executed a statewide training for TB case management in collaboration with MDH
– 1996: Led a TB investigation involving a public school of over 500 students
University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinics 1986-1991
Clinical/Charge/Transport Nurse
– Clinical nurse duties for tertiary pediatric intensive care unit
– Provided transport nursing care for critically ill children
Key accomplishments:
– 1989: Advanced Pediatric Life Support certification
St. Paul-Ramsey and Gillette Hospitals 1976-1986
Clinical/Charge Nurse, Nurse Educator
– Clinical nursing duties for an adult general medical unit
– Clinical nursing duties for a combined pediatric general and intensive care unit
– Staff orientation and training coordinator
Key accomplishments:
– 1985: Developed an orientation curriculum for intensive care unit nurses
– 1980-1986: Certified Train-the-trainer instructor in Basic Life Support
– 1984-1985: Planner/speaker at metro-wide pediatric intensive care training program
Bethel Care Center 1975-1976
Nurse Supervisor
– Directed care in a 50-bed intermediate care floor.
Related Experience
American Refugee Committee 1985-1986
Public Health Nurse Volunteer, Sudan, Africa
– Developed and executed medic training program for Eritrean and Tigray refugees; training focused on basic medical diagnosis and treatment of commonly seen diseases
– Staffed a cholera isolation unit
– Taught basic nutrition to nutrition aides
– Conducted classes for home visitors
Publications and Papers
Elisabeth Krow-Lucal, PhD; Mona Marin, MD; Leah Shepersky, MPH; Lynn Bahta, MPH; Jamie Loehr, MD; Kathleen Dooling, MD (2022). Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccine (PRIORIX): Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2022. MMWR, 71(46),1465-1470.
Agam K. Rao, MD; Deborah Briggs, PhD; Susan M. Moore, PhD; Florence Whitehill, DVM1,; Doug Campos-Outcalt, MD; Rebecca L. Morgan, PhD; Ryan M. Wallace, DVM; José R. Romero, MD; Lynn Bahta, MPH; Sharon E. Frey, MD; Jesse D. Blanton, DrPH (2022). Use of a Modified Preexposure Prophylaxis Vaccination Schedule to Prevent Human Rabies: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2022. MMWR, 71(18), 619-627.
Kroger A, MD; Bahta L, MPH; Hunter P. MD. General Best Practice Guidelines for Immunization. Best Practices Guidance of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). [www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/general-recs/downloads/general-recs.pdf].
Hall V, Banerjee E, Kenyon C, Strain A, Griffith J, Como-Sabetti K, Heath J, Bahta L, Martin K, McMahon M, Johnson D, Roddy M, Dunn D, Ehresmann K. (2017) Measles Outbreak – Minnesota, April-May 2017. MMWR, 66(27), 713-717.
Bahta, Lynn, Ashkir, Asli (2015). Addressing MMR Vaccine Resistance in Minnesota’s Somali Community. Minnesota Medicine, 98(10): 33-36.
Bahta, L, Roddy, M, Fedorowicz, A (2015) Improving infant immunization rates: Prenatal providers play a vital role. Minnesota Physician, 24(7): 32-33.
Danila, Richard N, Bahta, Lynn (2015). “Recent Outbreaks of Meningococcal Disease among Men Who have Sex with Men. Minnesota Medicine, 2015:98(9): 47-48.
Gahr P, DeVries AS, Wallace G, Miller C, Kenyon C, Sweet K, Martin K, White K, Bagstad E, Hooker C, Krawczynski G, Boxrud D, Gongping Liu, Stinchfield P, LeBlanc J, Hickman C, Bahta L, Barskey A, Lynfield R. (2014). An Outbreak of Measles in an Undervaccinated Community. Pediatrics, 134(1), 220-228.
Opal, Douglas, Bahta, Lynn. (2014) How You Start the Conversation Matters. Minnesota Medicine, 97(5), 50-51.
Jacobson, Robert M., Van Etta, Linda, Bahta, Lynn. (2013) “The C.A.S.E. Approach; Guidance for Talking to Vaccine-Hesitant Parents,” Minnesota Medicine, 96(4), 49-50.
DeVries A, Harper J, Murray A, Lexau C, Bahta L, Christensen J, Cebelinski E, Fuller S, Kline S, Shaw J, Burns C, Lynfield R. (2011). Neuroinvasive Immunodeficiency-Associated Vaccine-Derived Poliomyelitis Twelve Years after Infection – Minnesota, 2008.
N Engl J Med, 364(23), 16-23.
Rainbow J, Danila R, Bahta L, White K, Ehresmann K, Lynfield R, Coronado F, Cohn A, Clark T, Messonnier N, Santoli J, Rodewald L, Jackson M, Lowther S. (2008). Invasive Haemophilus influenzae Type B Disease in Five Young Children — Minnesota, 2008. MMWR, 58(3), 58-60.
Bahta L, Bartkus J, Besser J, Crouch N, Cebelinski E, Ehresmann K, Fuller S, Harriman K, Harper J, Hull H, Lynfield R, Mille C, Rainbow J, Sullivan M, Wax G, Ackerman P, Parker A (2005) Poliovirus Infections in Four Unvaccinated Children --- Minnesota, August--October 2005. MMWR, 54(41), 1053-1055.
Bahta, Lynn (2005). Live attenuated influenza vaccine: the right choice for health care workers. Minnesota Physician, 19(6),
30-33.
Bahta L, Roddy M, Peterson D (2002) Childhood Vaccines – What’s New? Minnesota Medicine, 85(2), February 2002.
Peterson D, Bahta L, Ehresmann K (2002) Vaccinating Adults for Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Minnesota Medicine, 85(2).
Bahta L, Atkinson W, Wexler D (2001) A Screening Questionnaire for Contraindications to Vaccination. Pediatric Annals, 30(7), 418-421, https://doi.org/10.3928/0090-4481-20010701-10.
Invited speaking engagements and abstracts
2022 Allina Health Primary Care Grand Rounds: Vaccine Hesitancy
2022 National Conference of Immunization Coalition Programs: Preventing Burnout in Immunization Work
2022 Minnesota Medical Association Physician Forum: Vaccine Safety Surveillance
2021 Emerging Infections conference, MDH, U of Minnesota, Mayo Clinics: Keynote, Consequential approaches to COVID-
19 vaccine hesitancy
2021 Minnesota Pharmacists Association: Building Vaccine Confidence in the time of COVID-19
2021 University of Minnesota medical school: Building Up Vaccine Acceptance
2020 University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire: Nursing Role in Public Policy
2019 St. Luke’s Foundation: Ethics of Vaccination
2019 Minnesota Public Health Association; accepted abstract: A Faith and Medicine Approach to Vaccine Hesitancy
2019 2019 Public Health Ethics Forum: Ethical Dilemmas in Child and Adolescent Health.
2018 North Dakota Immunization Conference: Minnesota Measles Outbreak Outreach Response.
2018 48th National Immunization Conference, CDC, accepted abstract for a workshop presentation: Measles in Minnesota: Community and Public Health Interventions.
2017 MN Academy of Physician Assistants Annual Fall CME Conference: Immunization Update.
2017 South Dakota Immunization Conference: 2017 Minnesota measles outbreak: a multi-faceted response.
2017 South East MN Immunization Connection Annual Conference: Immunization Update and Review of School Immunization Rules – One Year Later.
2016 MN Community Health Conference; accepted abstract for workshop presentation: Building Trust with the Somali Community to Address Misinformation about MMR and autism.
2016 47th National Immunization Conference, CDC, accepted abstract for a workshop presentation: Addressing MMR Vaccine Hesitancy among Somali Minnesotans.
2016 South East Minnesota Immunization Connection Annual Conference: What’s New with Vaccination in 2016?
2015 University of Minnesota School of Public Health Alumni Meeting: Communicating with the Vaccine Hesitant.
2015 Allina Health Grand Rounds, St. Paul: Vaccine Hesitancy and Delaying Immunizations: Framing prenatal and post-delivery vaccination conversations.
2015 MN Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Annual Hot Topics in Pediatrics Conference: Perspectives on Vaccine Resistance.
2015 Minnesota Osteopathic Medical Society Spring Seminar: Vaccine Preventable Disease News and Updates.
2014 46th National Immunization Conference, CDC: Questions, Concerns, Acceptance, and Confidence: The Complicated Issue of Vaccine Hesitancy.
2014 MN Academy of Physician Assistants Annual Spring CME Conference: Immunization Update.
2014 Minnesota Osteopathic Medical Society Spring Seminar: Immunization Update.
2013 University of Minnesota Tropical and Travel Medicine Seminar: Negotiating Health Care across Cultures. Provider resources for caring for immigrants.
2012 MN Hepatitis Symposium: Vaccine Hesitancy and the Hepatitis B Birth Dose.
2012 MN Academy of Physician Assistants Annual Fall CME Conference: Immunization Update.
2011 Minnesota Association of Medical Assistants: Immunization Update and Best Practices.
2010 44th National Immunization Conference, CDC, accepted abstract for a workshop presentation: Disseminating H1N1 Information to hard-to-reach Minnesotans.
2010 MN Hepatitis Symposium. Hepatitis B Vaccine: An evolution of prevention.
2010 Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians, Family Medicine Update: Immunization Update.
2009 North Dakota Immunization Program, annual Immunization Conference: Hib Disease in Minnesota: The Public Health Response.
2009 Minnesota Nurses Association: Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Role of Vaccination.
2009 University of Minnesota, Boynton Health Services: Vaccine Safety: empathy and evidence-based practice.
2008 Children’s Hospitals of Minnesota, Grand Rounds: Influenza: Surveillance, Vaccine, and Recommendations.
2008 Fairview University Medical Center Pediatric Resident Meeting. Influenza: Surveillance, Vaccine and Recommendations.
2008 MN Academy of Physician Assistants Annual Spring CME Conference: Immunization Update.
2008 Minnesota Coalition for Adult Immunization Annual Conference: VPD Headlines and Happenings.
2008 Minnesota Pharmacists Association Mid-Winter Conference: Vaccine Safety: Current issues, reliable resources.
2007 41st National Immunization Conference, CDC, accepted abstract for a workshop presentation: Continuous Quality Improvement: Making follow-up work.
2007 Minnesota Reproductive Health Update. HPV Vaccine – what is the controversy?
2006 University of Minnesota, School of Public Health. Immunization Law and Policy Issues.
2006 Minnesota Cancer Summit, roundtable participant. Eliminating Cervical Cancer through Vaccination.
2006 Minnesota Coalition for Adult Immunization Annual Conference: Adult and Adolescent Vaccines: what’s new and what’s coming?
2005 Midwestern Legislative Conference: Vaccine Safety Issues and Answers - Thimerosal.
2004 Minnesota Nurses Association, Third District: Immunizations: Recommendations, Clinical Issues and Resources.
2004 APIC-MN Annual Meeting: Influenza Immunization Recommendations for 2004-2005.
2004-06 University of Minnesota School of Medicine Primary Care Clerkship: Immunizations in the Primary Care Setting.
2003 37th National Immunization Conference, CDC, accepted abstract for a workshop presentation: Compromised Vaccine: The Next Step.
2003 Minnesota Coalition for Adult Immunization Annual Conference: Vaccine Storage and handling: the true meaning of the “Cold Chain.”
2003 Minnesota Society of Health-System Pharmacists clinical meeting: Immunization Hot Topics and Current Issues.
2002 First Annual Minnesota Indian Health Conference: Breakout session: Immunization Registries and Assessment Activities; Plenary session: Influenza and Pandemic Influenza.
2002 36th National Immunization Conference, CDC, accepted abstract for a workshop presentation: Immunization Practices Improvement: a decentralized approach to providing clinic assessment and immunization resources.
2002 Minnesota Nurses Association, Third District: Immunization Update.
2002 University of Wisconsin School of Nursing, Eau Claire: The ABCs of Vaccine Preventable Diseases.
2001 Wisconsin Immunization Coalition Immunization Workshop, Dane County: Vaccine Administration Techniques.
2001 University of Wisconsin School of Nursing, Eau Claire: The ABCs of Vaccine Preventable Diseases
1998 MN Academy of Physician Assistants Annual Spring CME Conference: Immunization Update.
1999 National Hepatitis Prevention Conference, CDC: How to Build and Maintain Trust and Credibility: The Challenge of Risk Communication
Honors and Awards
2020 Star Honor Award, Exceptional Leadership Award, Minnesota Department of Health
2019 Appointee, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
2018 Bereth Award, 2018 Silver Award in Risk Communication, National Public Health Information Coalition
2011 Certificate of Achievement, American Nurses Association
2007 Honor Award Certificate, National Center for Preparedness, Detection, and Control of Infectious Disease, CDC
1999 Outstanding Commitment Award, Viral Hepatitis Branch and the National Immunization Program, CDC
1997 Partners in Excellence Award, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1995 Employee of the Month, City of Saint Paul
1993 Team Achievement Award, Saint Paul Public Health
1991 Team Achievement Award, Saint Paul Public Health
1984 Alpha Chi (National Honor Society), Augsburg College
Memberships
American Nurses Association (ANA), 2012 to present
Minnesota Organization of Nurses (MNORN), 2012 to present
Minnesota Public Health Association (MPHA), 2018 to present
National Network of Immunization Nurses and Associates (NNINA), 1999-2006, Board member, Recording Secretary, 1999-2003