Thursday, May 16, 2024
On May 8, the at The , collaborated with the to bring public health advocates together both virtually and in-person. The event, titled 鈥�,鈥� focused on the pressing need for strategic community partnerships in shaping the future of public health professionals.
Dr. Linda Alexander, ASPPH chief academic officer, laid the foundation for a panel
discussion by drawing insights from the ASPPH report, stressing the necessity of authentic and equitable relationships in the realm
of public health.
Guided by Tim Leshan, ASPPH chief external relations and advocacy officer, the panel covered details regarding practical strategies for fostering meaningful partnerships with communities and organizations.
, SPH associate dean for community engagement and health equity, and , SPH dean, shared insights into HSC鈥檚 Community Corps model, which is currently being developed to strengthen multi-sector partnerships and provide organizational support to advance community-driven solutions and workforce development, showcasing collaborative efforts with local community partners.
SPH alumnus Dr. Matt Richardson, health director at Denton County Public Health, and Dr. Carlos Walker from the Family Action Center at Fort Worth ISD, reaffirmed the pivotal role of community engagement in shaping public health decisions, emphasizing inclusivity and community involvement in crafting effective interventions for healthier communities.
鈥淭he groundwork is already underway, but what truly matters is listening to the community first. Providing community members with the opportunity to voice their concerns is vital. Too often, community members feel unheard; they don鈥檛 want solutions imposed on them. Building trust begins with active listening and understanding their lived experiences,鈥� Walker said.
The conversation highlighted successful strategies for building trust and promoting
public health values, demonstrating the collaborative spirit between HSC and ASPPH
in addressing public health challenges. Articulating a shared commitment to fostering
sustainable and equitable relationships with communities, the panelists advocated
for prioritizing strategic shared initiatives.
Spence shed light on SPH鈥檚 approach to cultivating lasting partnerships, stating, 鈥淥ur aim is to establish structures and practices that foster permanent relationships, including intentional integration of community partners into our curriculum and eventually co-teaching courses with them. We also aspire to develop joint positions with organizations, aligning mutual interests to create shared job roles.鈥�
ASPPH鈥檚 report, 鈥�,鈥� advocates for a shift in academic public health roles toward supporting sustainable partnerships and enhancing collaborative skills through curriculum development.鈥�
鈥淚 am thrilled that our strategic plan 鈥� 鈥� mirrors ASPPH鈥檚 鈥楩raming the Future鈥� guidance,鈥� Spence said. 鈥淥ur goal is to serve as an example, showcasing how we鈥檙e integrating community engagement into our work. We are eager to continue partnering with ASPPH and share our experiences authentically, including our successes and challenges.鈥�
During the event, ASPPH also recognized the 25th anniversary of the School of Public Health. SPH celebrates a .
鈥淩obust collaborations with community and health sector partners are crucial for ensuring that our education, research and service efforts effectively address population health needs and promote health equity,鈥� Dharamsi said.
鈥淧articipating in these types of important national dialogues around the future of public health education is so important,鈥� he added, 鈥渁nd we are very pleased to have served as a co-host for this ASPPH event. We look forward to partnering further with ASPPH in the future.鈥�
From - Our People by Katie Biggar and Sally Crocker