Leaders in Public Health Gather for EPHLI Session In St. Louis

Fellows and alumni across the country assembled at the second session for the Environmental Public Health Leadership Institute (EPHLI) in St. Louis with a common interest to improve their leadership capacity in environmental public health practice. The group of 35 fellows and their participation in this event denotes a commitment to strengthen the country’s environmental public health system by enhancing the leadership capabilities of state and local environmental public health specialists.

Speakers from various Schools of Public Health and some who have directed their own leadership institutes in public health addressed topics geared toward increasing leadership skills, enhancing the performance outcomes of public health core functions and services, and improving the environmental public health of communities. Fellows attended lectures and discussions focusing on Public Health Leadership, Collaboration & Teamwork, Organizational Learning & Systems Thinking, Your Approach to Change, Scan of Current Issues Exercise, Revitalization of Environmental Health Profession, and Crisis Leadership.

Speakers included Louis Rowitz, PhD; Cynthia Lamberth, MPH, CPH; Sherry Immediato, MBA; Nancy J. Tolliver, RN, MSIR; Donna R. Dinkin, DrPH, MPH; Captain John Sarisky, R.S., MPH; Kathleen S. Wright, EdD, MPH; Michael W. Thomas, MPH.

As a part of the year-long EPHLI program, this session was intended to enhance the fellows’ goal to achieving personal understanding and growth in their professional experience. The EPHLI program was developed based upon CDC priorities that identified a need for improving leadership capacity in environmental public health practice. Emphasis is placed on the core functions of public health as a foundation for achieving public health goals and the need for proactive environmental public health leaders to mobilize resources in response to the changing public health environment.

For more information on EPHLI and the recent session visit the website at http://www.heartlandcenters.slu.edu:16080/ephli.