Area of Responsibility: Area VII: Leadership and Management Subcompetencies: 7.1.3 Involve partners and stakeholders throughout the health education and promotion process in meaningful and sustainable ways., 7.3.6 Provide professional development and training for staff and volunteers. Research or Practice: Practice
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Attendees will be able to describe the key components of a mentorship program for public health professionals.
Attendees will be prepared with concrete examples on how they can train the next generation of public health professionals.
Attendees will be able to expand their knowledge on professional development opportunities suitable for early and mid-careerist.
Brief Abstract Summary: Discover how to develop and incorporate mentorship and trainings into advancing the next generation of public health leaders. This session will showcase a mentorship program for public health professionals on all levels from start to finish. Attendees will be equipped with concrete examples on how they can train the next generation. Whether a student, early careerist, mid careerist or seasoned professional, this session will reach all ages and demographics. Sisters in Public Health (SiPH) has an innovative approach to meeting our members exactly where they are and developing them into the leaders they are determined to be. We are developing emerging talent and fostering a culture of continuous learning through educational leadership seminars, workshops, and more. This is an opportunity to not only listen but engage in what you can take back to your respective organization to take it to the next level.
Detailed abstract description: Sisters in Public Health (SiPH) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting, empowering, and supporting women in public health through professional development, education, mentorship, and leadership opportunities. Our mission is to create a safe space to empower, educate, and evolve the next generation of women in public health. We develop leaders who champion health equity and positively impact communities. Our vision is to connect all women in public health, and the values are self-care, mentorship, scholarship, diversity and inclusion, women empowerment, and professional development. In order to do the work that we do best, we must equip our public health leaders with effective tools focused on leadership, mentorship, and training the next workforce.
Leadership development has been a key initiative of our organizational leaders and our members. In 2023, chapter representation grew to span across 14 cities, and the need for leadership development increased with membership. This expansion allowed the organization to reach and empower more women on their public health journey. We hosted 63 events and held 14 “Leadership Seminars” specifically focused on professional and personal growth for women advancing their skills. Speakers ranged from senior hospital executives to public health professors!
Mentorship is not just a core value for us, we demonstrate it through our programs. In 2023, we launched our first mentorship cohort. A six month national public health mentorship program that kicked off in summer 2023 with over 100 applications. Students and recent graduates had the opportunity to be paired with advanced professionals. An opportunity to develop hard and soft skills needed in leadership roles. This program offers resume review, career development plans, goal setting, shadowing opportunities, and more.
We have had 25 participants in the 2 cohorts. The first cohort consisted of a detailed planning phase to make sure we reached those who needed this opportunity. It launched with a flyer, google form application, committee selection process, orientation, midpoint program meeting with a professional development guest speaker, a final program meeting that consisted of mentee presentations and evaluation period. We evaluated the feedback and launched the second cohort in 2024. This year's cohort we doubled the amount of mentor/mentee matches.
In 2023, we also launched advanced training sessions for all membership levels. These training included Lean Six Sigma (white and yellow belt), Certified Health Education Specialist and Master Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES and MCHES), and numerous workshops expanding educational topics.
SiPH is steadfast in its approach to evolving the next generation of women in public health through leadership opportunities, mentorship, and trainings. This is what we do best and attendees will have the opportunity to learn how to implement within their respective organizations.
