J IM M IE H . S M ITH , J R . M D , M P HA S S I S TA N T P R O F E S S O R O F P R A C T I C E &

L I A I S O N F O R A C A D E M I C H E A LT H D E PA RT M E N T

N A N N E T T E T U R N E R , P H D , M P H

C H A I R , M E R C E R U N I V E R S I T Y M P H P R O G R A M

H U E Y C H E N , P H D

D I R E C T O R , M E R C E R U N I V E R S I T Y C E N T E R F O R E VA L U AT I O N A N D A P P L I E D R E S E A R C H

D AV I D N . H A R V E Y, M D

G A D E P T. O F H E A LT H , N O RT H C E N T R A L H E A LT H D I S T R I C T, D I R E C T O R

Academic Health Departments: A Liaison’s Perspective on Contributions and Challenges

Presenter Disclosures

Jimmie H. Smith, Jr., MD, MPH

The following personal financial relationships with commercial interests relevant to this presentation existed during the past 12 months:

“No relationship to disclose”

The concern…

Decreasing or eliminated public health programmatic budgets

Diminishing and retiring workforceNon-competitive state salary scale in

current marketInability to attract MPH graduatesAbility to provide practical experiences

for MPH students across the state

Liaison-based Academic Health Department Project–Logic Model

Inputs Outcomes Activities Outputs Short Intermediate Long

1. Champions

2. Resources

3. Literature on

Academic Health Department

1. Identify and recruit

the major players

2. Meeting of key stakeholders including state/ local HD and University

3. Discuss needs and barriers

4. Brainstorming AHD as a solution (explain shared position)

5. Decide the division of labor and support resources

6. Create the affiliation agreement

7. Create the structure of the Academic Health Department

1. Hiring a HP coordinator

2. # conducting joint research activities

3. # HD staff as guest lecturers

4. # Students in community research, study, and service learning

5. #Faculty members facilitating and conducting continuing education programs

6. # Seminars, symposia, short-term academic programs and academic meetings

7. #Research and educational materials, publications and academic information shared

1. Enhance retention

of high quality health promotion coordinator

2. Develop specific work plans for the community

3. Crate a stable and

qualified preceptor site for MPH students to meet academic requirements

4. Provide community

service opportunities for faculty and student

5. Enhance Health

District staff exposure to cutting edge health promotion theory, assessment and evaluation techniques

1. Improve capacity

the quality of intervention services

2. Increase manpower to implement and deliver services

3. Increase partnerships with the communities

4. Enhance

community research projects tailored to meet community needs

5. Enhance grant

application activity

6. Enhance evaluation activities

7. Enhance

utilization of evaluation feedback in decision making

1. Improve target

health outcomes based upon work plans

2. Increase adoption of AHD Model in other Health Districts

The contribution….

Liaison-based Academic Health Department Assistant Professor of Practice & District Health Promotions Coordinator

50% salary, timePreceptor PHAB Site Reviewer

Contributions…

Community Themes and Strengths Assessment (MAPP Model-6 counties)

Tobacco-Free Schools Enforcement Assessment (8 counties)

Influenza Vaccine Access and Documentation Study

North Central Health District Public Health Competencies/Workforce Study

Challenges

Develop specific work plans for the community

Enhance District health staff exposure to cutting edge health promotion theory, assessment, and evaluation techniques

Enhance community research projects tailored to meet community health needs

Improve target health outcomes based on work plans

Contact information

Jimmie H. Smith, Jr. MD, MPHAssistant Professor of Practice &

Liaison for Academic Health DepartmentMercer University, College of Health

ProfessionsSmith_jh@mercer.edu

(478) 301-5129