While attending a conference on animal health at the New York Academy of Science, Tierkel met Dr. Jim Steele. These future great friends hit it off immediately. Jim Steele convinced Tierkel the best place to effect change in public health in the United States was the United States Public Health Service. With Steele's advice in mind, Tierkel sought and received an appointment as a scientist with the U.S. Public Health Service upon receipt of his master's.
