Public Health Workforce: Academic Health Department
The Division of Public Health (DPH) plays an invaluable role in building and supporting the next generation of public health leaders and practitioners. This is accomplished through the strengthening of our status as an academic health department (AHD) and by bolstering our partnerships with key academic institutions and career preparatory programs.
What is an academic health department?
The Public Health Foundation, a national foundation leading AHD research and technical assistance, defines an academic health department partnership as a mutually beneficial partnership built between a health department and an academic institution. The components of DPH’s academic health department include:
- Comprehensive and enriching field experiences for both academic and non-academic learners.
- Strong shared staffing models that serve as a win-win for DPH and academic institutions.
- Resource sharing between organizations.
- Research collaborations.
Academic partners
One way DPH is committed to supporting the next generation of public health professionals is through partnership with key academic partners.
Partnership examples:
- Classroom presentations: DPH staff can enhance classroom curriculum by sharing with students how their work aligns with the current coursework.
- Panels: DPH staff can participate in topical discussions related to their work supporting the Wisconsin public health system.
- Classroom-based projects: DPH supports classroom-based projects by providing ideas and support that allow students to learn about public health priority areas in Wisconsin.
Current academic partners
DPH currently partners with a variety of academic and career preparatory programs. This includes public health, nursing, policy, education, and other academic programs that support public health infrastructure across Wisconsin.
The Department of Health Services currently has affiliation agreements with academic institutions across the U.S. to support students in field experiences with connection and interest in working in Wisconsin. If you would like to know if your school or organization is already connected with DPH, please reach out!
Contact us
Partners interested in learning more can reach out to Nicole Heling, public health career program coordinator at Nicole.Heling@dhs.wisconsin.gov.