Infectious Diseases in the News Specialist Panel
Sky Blue, MD
Dr. Sky Blue is an Infectious Diseases Specialist and founding partner in Sawtooth Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases. As an independent physician practicing in the Treasure Valley, he cares for patients in both Saint Alphonsus and St. Luke’s hospital systems in Nampa, Meridian and Boise. In addition to clinical work, Dr. Blue co-chairs Hospital Infection Prevention committees and is the medical director for the Wellness Center—the HIV services clinic at Full Circle Health.
Dr. Blue received his medical degree from the University of Iowa and occupied the role of Chief Resident during his residency at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center and Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ. Following residency, he completed a fellowship in infectious diseases at the University of Utah, where he was a faculty member in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Geriatrics until moving to Boise in 1997.
Outside of medical practice he spends time with his family, horses, and dogs, and enjoys travel locally and internationally.
Sky Blue, MD
Infectious Disease Physician, Co-Founder of Sawtooth Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases
Christine Hahn, MD
Dr. Hahn attended Medical School at Michigan State University, completed a residency in Internal Medicine at the Mayo Clinic’s Graduate School of Medicine and a Fellowship in Infectious Diseases at Duke University Medical Center. She then joined the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service. She currently serves as the Idaho state epidemiologist and medical director in the Division of Public Health. She continues to be board certified in infectious disease, participates in the Family Medicine Residency of Idaho’s TB clinic and serves on CDC’s federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices representing the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists.
Christine Hahn, MD
Idaho State Epidemiologist, Medical Director, Division of Public Health, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Cathy Oliphant, PharmD
Cathy Oliphant is Professor and the Interim Chair of Pharmacy Practice and Administrative Science at Idaho State University College of Pharmacy. She is also the faculty advisor for Rho Chi Honor Society and Generation Rx. She earned her PharmD degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan and completed a residency and fellowship in infectious diseases/microbiology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. Prior to joining the faculty at ISU College of Pharmacy in 2003, she taught for seven years at the University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy.
She currently maintains a clinical practice site at St. Luke's Boise and Meridian Medical Centers where she works with the hospitalists and infectious disease physicians. She also works in the St. Luke’s COVID Recovery Clinic. She precepts pharmacy students on medicine, infectious diseases and academic advanced pharmacy practice experiences. Her research interests include infectious diseases, opioids and substance use disorder.
Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family, walking her dogs, hiking and traveling.
Cathy Oliphant, PharmD
Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Administrative Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Idaho State University, Clinical Pharmacist in Infectious Diseases and Internal Medicine, St. Luke’s Health System
Liz Schackmann, MD
Dr. Schackmann is currently a Hospitalist at the Boise VA Medical Center, where she also works as faculty for the University of Washington Boise Internal Medicine Residency. She attended medical school at the University of Utah and completed a residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Washington. She worked as a chief resident for the University of Washington Boise IM program. She is passionate about medical education and adult learning.
Outside of work, her interests include hiking, biking, skiing and generally spending time in the outdoors with her friends and family.
Liz Schackmann, MD
Hospitalist, Boise VA Medical Center, Acting Instructor, University of Washington, School of Medicine
Verena Wolf, MPH
Verena Wolf earned her Master’s in Public Health from the University of Illinois Chicago with a concentration in Epidemiology. She holds a BA from Indiana University Bloomington in Anthropology with a focus on osteology and paleopathology. She has experience in clinical research and literature analysis through her previous positions with St. Luke’s Health System and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Verena is currently an Epidemiologist and Post-Graduate Research Assistant at Sawtooth Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases.
Outside of work, her interests include baking, hiking and traveling.
Verena Wolf, MPH
Epidemiologist and Post-graduate Research Assistant, Sawtooth Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases
