The Region V Public Health Training Center (RVPHTC) was recently awarded $3.7 million in funding by the Health Resources and Services Administration. The award, which provides funding through June of 2026, will help the center expand its goal to increase the supply, diversity, and capacity of the public health workforce through a variety of tools and programs, including:
- Student field placement stipends and professional development opportunities
- Regional training needs assessments
- Open access online trainings for public health professionals
- A new leadership institute for public health and primary care practitioners
The RVPHTC is located at the University of Michigan School of Public Health and serves the Health and Human Services-designated Region V states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Led by Dr. Laura Power, clinical associate professor of Epidemiology at Michigan Public Health, the center will continue its work to respond to strategic skill training needs by providing high quality competency-based training for public health practitioners in the region, particularly those in governmental public health.
Among many of the lessons that came to light during the COVID-19 pandemic is the realization that those working in and around the field of public health cannot continue to work in silos, says Dany Zemmel, RVPHTC training and engagement manager. Instead, by working across sectors and disciplines to share information and best practices, all stakeholders can collectively work more effectively and equitably to address important health issues. “Through its network of state and local health agencies, tribal health organizations, public health associations and organizations, and academic institutions across six states, the RVPHTC is well positioned to coordinate learning opportunities and connect practitioners in Michigan, Region V, and beyond to promote and advance health and health equity.”
The RVPHTC has been housed at Michigan Public Health since 2000, first as a state-based center before taking on the role of the regional coordinating center in 2018. The RVPHTC is part of the national Public Health Training Center Network, a consortium of regional centers that collectively represent the nation’s most comprehensive resource for public health workforce development. Together, they provide access to world-class professional development, experiential learning, and consulting and technical assistance. This work is done in partnership with community-based training partners, technical assistance providers, and other partners across the six-state region.
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