Region IV Public Health Training Center

Note: This is a recording of a webinar held on September 14, 2022. Training Overview The Emory Urban Health Initiative (UHI) has a mission to provide health disparities education and advocacy, build collaborative partnerships, and develop best practice models with low-wealth communities and those who work with them to advance equity in health and well-being. This webinar will describe the work of UHI in advancing the social, economic, and ecological wellbeing of communities in the Atlanta metro area. Participants will learn about best-practice models for participatory community engagement within low-wealth and underserved communities. Attendees will also gain perspective about the collaborative model of the program in developing health career students into future professionals who embrace and engage communities in self-efficacy and experiential approaches to solving the health problems affecting their communities. This recording is approximately 90 minutes. There are no prerequisites. Participants will need a broadband internet connection (Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred browsers) and computer speakers. For technical support, please contact emoryphtc@emory.edu. CERTIFICATE:  The course contains two modules: a module to access the webinar and an evaluation module. After accessing both modules, learners will earn a certificate of completion. When the certificate is available, learners will see a Certificate button on their dashboard. About the Trainer Stacie Schmidt, MD is an Associate Professor of General Internal Medicine and Co-Director of the Emory Urban Health Initiative (UHI). Dr. Schmidt also serves as Medical Director of the Primary Care Center (PCC) at Grady Memorial Hospital, an academic, safety net, hospital-based clinic accommodating approximately 70,000 visits a year, mostly to uninsured, low health-literacy patients with multiple chronic illnesses. She also provides inpatient care at Grady Memorial Hospital. Dr. Schmidt's research focuses on improving patient self-efficacy and self-management skills among underserved and underrepresented individuals with chronic diseases in the ambulatory setting.   Carolyn Aidman, PhD, a Certified Labor Doula, is the Associate Director of the Emory Urban Health Initiative and as such, she develops programs, engages Emory and other universities’ faculty, staff and student and community members as volunteers, interns, and Fellows. She attracts them to initiatives such as Atlanta Doula Connect, matching pregnant teens and women with birth supporters who help them through labor and delivery. She works on UHI’s Cancer Detecting Dogs project, the Rolling Suitcase Drive for homeless women and children, Dental Diversion, and many other projects.   Joan Wilson MS, JM, FACHE, is the Assistant Director of Emory UHI. Originally from Atlanta, Joan has worked for a number of healthcare, academic and scientific research institutions over her career, including Yerkes Primate Research Center, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Grady Health System, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and Emory University School of Medicine prior to her work with UHI. Some of her current projects within UHI involve addressing food insecurity issues in urban Atlanta and teaching business skills, leadership principles, and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) subjects to inner-city youth in an entrepreneurial program she developed. This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UB6HP31680, Public Health Training Centers for $4,348,992. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. Read more

Note: This is a recording of a webinar held on May 21, 2018. Training Overview This webinar will present the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors’ approach to effective communications about chronic diseases and chronic disease programming. It will include a brief overview of how some patient populations receive their healthcare information and common problems and solutions to reaching these populations effectively with empowering health information. General guidance for how to evaluate your own communications tools and procedures also will be included. The course contains two modules: a content module and a resources and evaluation module. After accessing both modules, learners will earn a certificate of completion. When the certificate is available, learners will see a Certificate button on their dashboard. This recording is approximately 90 minutes. There are no prerequisites. Participants will need a broadband internet connection (Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred browsers) and computer speakers. For technical support, please contact emoryphtc@emory.edu. About the Trainer Paige L. Rohe, MPH At CHOA, one of the largest pediatric healthcare organizations nationally, Ms. Rohe oversaw clinical and operational communications for the medical staff, managed serious infectious disease communications, and led several flagship public affairs efforts, including the award-winning launch of the clinically integrated network, The Children's Care Network. She was assistant director for news and information at The Carter Center, which houses the press office for former President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter. She supported publicity and social media for the Center's Health Programs. She traveled with President and Mrs. Carter to Haiti/Dominican Republic, South Sudan, and San Diego, CA, and brought documentary film crews to Ethiopia and Liberia to cover the Center’s work. She began her career in Washington, D.C., working for APCO Worldwide, a public affairs consultancy, and has since completed freelance writing and social media projects for several nonprofits and academic institutions. This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UB6HP31680, Public Health Training Centers for $4,348,992. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. Read more

Note: This is a recording of a webinar held on March 7, 2018. Training Overview “There’s no typical flu season,” said Lynnette Brammer to the Washington Post in 2013. Years later, this is certainly still the case. Join this webinar to learn about the current findings about the current influenza epidemic and preparations for the season to come. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publishes FluView weekly which provides influenza data to state public health officials, epidemiologists, clinicians and the public. Lynnette Brammer and Kristen Norlund will share surveillance findings, risk communication messages, and ways public health professionals are preparing for the future. The course contains two modules: a content module and a resources and evaluation module. After accessing both modules, learners will earn a certificate of completion. When the certificate is available, learners will see a Certificate button on their dashboard. This recording is approximately 90 minutes. There are no prerequisites. Participants will need a broadband internet connection (Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred browsers) and computer speakers. For technical support, please contact emoryphtc@emory.edu. About the Trainer Lynnette Brammer, MPH and Kristen Nordlund Lynnette has a lead role in the U.S. influenza surveillance system, a collaborative effort of CDC, state, local, and territorial health departments, public health and clinical laboratories, vital statistics offices, healthcare providers, clinics, and emergency departments.  They compile data from health departments, labs, and health care systems into a weekly surveillance report which monitors flu season progression, types of flu viruses circulating, amount of illness and severity of illness, and geographic spread of flu in the U.S. Kristen handles media around infectious disease and public health preparedness at CDC.  She was deployed to Sierra Leone twice in 2015 to help manage communications around CDC’s Sierra Leone Trial to Introduce a Vaccine against Ebola (or STRIVE).  She was also deployed to Ohio in late 2014 for the Ebola response and most recently to Utah in July 2016 for the Zika response.  She has a Bachelors in Journalism from the University of Missouri at Columbia. This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UB6HP31680, Public Health Training Centers for $4,348,992. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. Read more

Fighting for Public Health: How Do We Strengthen Public Health Advocacy at Local, State, and National Levels? Note: This is a recording of a live webinar offered on January 22, 2024 from 12:00 pm-1:30 pm ET.   Training Overview: The politicization of widely accepted practices like vaccinations and the declaration of public health emergencies is directly impacting public health's ability to protect and promote healthy communities. The decline in trust and investment in public health has raised the question:  How can we strengthen public health advocacy at local, state, and national levels? In a feasibility study conducted by the Network for Public Health Law, public health advocates and leaders from 45 organizations were asked this very question. Their responses provide a snapshot of the current state of public health and highlight opportunities to amplify the voice of public health and our partners in advocating for evidence-based policies and approaches.  Join us in this webinar to learn more about the findings from this study and the opportunities to work together to support the profession and practice of public health.  Participants will also learn how to build skills to better communicate public health to all in their community and the resources available to support this critical advocacy work.  About the Presenters: After working in the fields of public health, evaluation & research, and philanthropy for over a decade, Maddie Frey started Frey Evaluation, LLC, a public health evaluation firm in 2018 to provide consulting services for organizational learning, evaluative thinking & tools, and movement toward systems change. Maddie’s previous work includes Cottage Health Hospital Director of Population Health Evaluation (Santa Barbara, CA), Healthcare Georgia Foundation's Director of Evaluation (Atlanta, GA), Center for Community Health & Evaluation (Seattle, WA), and Georgia State University SPH Adjunct Faculty. Ms. Frey has an MPH from the University of Washington's community-oriented public health practice program, and a BA in anthropology from Smith College. As an athlete and organizer, Maddie co-founded, led or coached the following organizations: Georgia Tech Wreck, Atlanta Women's Ultimate, Atlanta Outbreak, Atlanta Soul, the Premier Ultimate League, and the Premier Ultimate League Foundation. Iyanrick John serves as Vice President of External Affairs for ChangeLab Solutions. In this role, he is responsible for assisting with development and execution of the organization’s policy strategy, building and cultivating relationships with partners, and elevating the organization’s national profile. Prior to joining ChangeLab Solutions, Iyan served as a Senior Policy Strategist for the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF), where he assisted with policy and advocacy efforts to expand access to health care, improve health care quality, and further the collection and reporting of data for communities to address health inequities. He was also a lecturer at the California State University, East Bay Department of Public Health and worked as a Policy Analyst for the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities at the Maryland Department of Health. Iyan has an MPH in Epidemiology from Loma Linda University and a JD from the University of Maryland School of Law. CERTIFICATE:  The course contains three modules: a module with a pre-survey, a module to access the webinar and an evaluation module. After accessing these modules, learners will earn a certificate of completion. This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UB6HP31680, Public Health Training Centers for $4,348,992. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. Read more

Foundations of Community Engagement and Outreach for Improving Health Outcomes: Breaking Barriers Through Effective Communication with Communities   Note: This is a recording of a live webinar from October 2, 2024. This is the second session in a three-part webinar series. Learners may choose to register for all webinars in the series or for individual sessions. Training Overview: This webinar explores effective communication strategies to engage with communities in a culturally responsive manner. This session will address language and literacy barriers, misinformation, and the need for culturally sensitive interactions. The goal of this session is to equip participants with practical tools and techniques for fostering clear, respectful, and impactful communication with diverse populations.  This is the second session in a 3-part webinar series that is designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of public health staff at local health departments in the Southeastern United States. The series aims to build capacity in effective community engagement and outreach, focusing on overcoming barriers, fostering trust, and developing sustainable practices to improve health outcomes. Each session addresses key challenges and solutions to equip health departments with knowledge, skills, and resources to improve their community outreach efforts.  About the Presenter: Dr. Joyee Washington is a Community-Engaged Research Consultant from Jackson, Mississippi. In 2020, she founded Joyee Washington Consulting with a mission to revolutionize public health by transforming public health research into life-changing public health solutions. Through her business, Dr. Joyee works with community-based organizations, non-profits, public health organizations, and academic institutions to help them build meaningful community partnerships, conduct impactful research, and create data-informed solutions.  Dr. Joyee has over 18 years of research experience and 10 years of public health experience. Her educational background includes advanced degrees in biomedical sciences and public health. In 2022, she graduated with her PhD in Education (emphasis in research, evaluation, statistics, and assessment). As a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES), she has served as a coordinator of community based participatory research, coordinator of community outreach for health resources, and faculty member in the Department of Public Health at The University of Southern Mississippi. Dr. Joyee believes that a healthier and equitable future lies in the power of our communities.  Additionally, Dr. Joyee is host of The Public Health Joy Podcast, a safe space for real and honest conversation about public health research and the relationship building processes necessary to bring joy to the communities we serve.    CERTIFICATE:  The course contains two modules: a module to access the webinar and an evaluation module. After accessing the three modules, learners will earn a certificate of completion. When the certificate is available, learners will see a Certificate button on their dashboard. This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UB6HP31680, Public Health Training Centers for $4,348,992. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. Read more

Foundations of Community Engagement and Outreach for Improving Health Outcomes: Building Trust & Relationships with Communities   Note: This is a recording of a live webinar held on September 11, 2024. This is the first session in a three-part webinar series. Learners may choose to register for all webinars in the series or for individual sessions. Training Overview: This webinar is an introduction to community engagement, focusing on strategies for building trust and relationships with communities. This session will cover methods to address historical mistrust and develop meaningful partnerships. The goal of this session is to equip local health department staff with actionable community engagement and outreach strategies to improve health outcomes.  This is the first session in a 3-part webinar series that is designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of public health staff at local health departments in the Southeastern United States. The series aims to build capacity in effective community engagement and outreach, focusing on overcoming barriers, fostering trust, and developing sustainable practices to improve health outcomes. Each session addresses key challenges and solutions to equip health departments with knowledge, skills, and resources to improve their community outreach efforts. Learners may choose to register for all webinars in the series or for individual sessions. About the Presenter: Dr. Joyee Washington is a Community-Engaged Research Consultant from Jackson, Mississippi. In 2020, she founded Joyee Washington Consulting with a mission to revolutionize public health by transforming public health research into life-changing public health solutions. Through her business, Dr. Joyee works with community-based organizations, non-profits, public health organizations, and academic institutions to help them build meaningful community partnerships, conduct impactful research, and create data-informed solutions.  Dr. Joyee has over 18 years of research experience and 10 years of public health experience. Her educational background includes advanced degrees in biomedical sciences and public health. In 2022, she graduated with her PhD in Education (emphasis in research, evaluation, statistics, and assessment). As a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES), she has served as a coordinator of community based participatory research, coordinator of community outreach for health resources, and faculty member in the Department of Public Health at The University of Southern Mississippi. Dr. Joyee believes that a healthier and equitable future lies in the power of our communities.  Additionally, Dr. Joyee is host of The Public Health Joy Podcast, a safe space for real and honest conversation about public health research and the relationship building processes necessary to bring joy to the communities we serve.    CERTIFICATE:  The course contains three modules: a module for pre-webinar questions, a module to access the webinar, and an evaluation module. After accessing the three modules, learners will earn a certificate of completion. When the certificate is available, learners will see a Certificate button on their dashboard. This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UB6HP31680, Public Health Training Centers for $4,348,992. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. Read more