A2.02 - Oral: Upskilling the Existing Public Health Workforce in Hawai‘i Through Equity-Centered Workforce Development Trainings and Education

Brief Abstract Summary: Gain insight into four innovative and equity-centered strategies aimed at raising the skills of existing and future public health workers in Hawai‘i and the Pacific region through academic-public partnerships focused on community relevance. They include a University of Hawai‘i (UH) program developing and providing a free training series in collaboration with the Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) for DOH employees and others in the public health workforce; supporting a cohort of DOH employees through a tuition-free opportunity for a UH online MPH degree; developing a mentorship guide with best practices to support practicum mentors and create a community of mentors; and funding practicum placements for UH students at the DOH to increase accessibility for all students and interest in DOH roles.

Detailed abstract description: A society’s health is acutely dependent on a diverse and robust public health and health education workforce. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of public health as well as the critical shortage of its workforce. Innovating and supporting pipelines and pathways for careers in health education and public health are important strategies to develop emerging talent and foster continuous learning. In addressing workforce shortages, there’s an opportunity and responsibility to profoundly address health equity through intentional cultivation of workers who come from, represent, or are dedicated to diverse communities. From this talk, participants will learn about the activities of the Hawai‘i Public Health Workforce Catalyst Lab, a group aimed to create and pilot innovative pathways and pipelines to support the public health workforce in the state and region. The Catalyst Lab is housed in the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UH) an Indigenous and minority-serving institution, specifically in the Office of Public Health Studies. The Catalyst Lab operates in partnership with DOH, especially the Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Division and the Public Health Infrastructure Grant.

Participants will gain insight into four innovative and equity-centered strategies intended to raise the skills of existing and future public health workers in Hawai‘i and the Pacific through initiatives from academic-public partnerships in the state and region. Specifically, participants will hear about developing and providing a free training series in collaboration with the DOH for DOH employees and others in the state public health workforce; supporting a cohort of DOH employees through a tuition-free online UH MPH degree; developing a mentorship guide with best practices to support practicum mentors and create a community of mentors; and funding practicum placements for UH students at the DOH to increase accessibility and competitiveness. This presentation will offer attendees instructions, reflections, and best practices around these equity-centered initiatives and how they have the potential for replication and adaptation in their local communities.