News Release

Michigan Public Health Training Center announces spring course offerings

March 14, 2005 press release from the Michigan Public Health Training Center and the University of Michigan School of Public Health

ANN ARBOR, MI—The Michigan Public Health Training Center (MPHTC) announces upcoming continuing education face-to-face and distance learning courses. These competency-based courses represent a partnership learning approach through collaborative training of employees of state and local health departments, community-based organizations, health delivery systems and health plans, and those studying public health.

All courses offer continuing education credits for a variety of health professionals, and a MPHTC certificate of competency for successful completion, identifying core competencies relevant to population-based health practice. The registration fee is $135 per course per person. Limited scholarship support is available to those working in Michigan.

About MPHTC online course offerings: Online mentored courses offered by the MPHTC provide guided instruction from distinguished faculty for the duration of the course and incorporate video and PowerPoint presentations, online discussions with the instructor and classmates, readings, and supplementary exercises to offer a unique learning experience comparable to traditional face-to-face courses.

Online, mentored course:

Demystifying Data: Accessing, Interpreting, and Using Health Data, taught by Elizabeth Wasilevich, MPH, and Corinne Miller, PhD. Ms. Wasilevich is an asthma epidemiologist with the Bureau of Epidemiology at the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH); and Dr. Miller directs the Epidemiology Services Division at MDCH. This course will be held May 9 to June 27, 2005 online. For more information: https://www.sph.umich.edu/iscr/mphtc/courses/one-online-course.cfm?id=95 .

On-site course:

The Art and Technique of Effective Communication – in Flint, taught by Kami Silk, Ph.D., Ella Greene-Moton, and Tiffany Menard. Dr. Silk is an assistant professor at Michigan State University; Ms. Greene-Moton is assistant director of the Health Awareness Center at the Flint Odyssey House and serves as adjunct faculty at the University of Michigan, Flint; and Ms. Menard is the communications coordinator for the Office of the Surgeon General, Michigan Department of Community Health. This course will be held on May 10, May 17, and May 24, 2005 (8:30 am to Noon) at the University of Michigan-Flint, William S. White Building. For more information: https://www.sph.umich.edu/iscr/mphtc/courses/one-course.cfm?id=94

Interactive Television course:

The Legal Basis for Population Health: A Guide for Practitioners (New) – in Detroit, East Lansing, and Gaylord, taught by Peter D. Jacobson, JD, MPH, professor of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health. This course allows participants at three locations to see and hear each other simultaneously. The instructor and teaching assistant will alternate locations. Class meets on Fridays: April 22, May 6, May 20, June 10, and June 24 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. All classes are videotaped to allow for make-up of missed sessions. For more information: https://www.sph.umich.edu/iscr/mphtc/courses/one-course.cfm?id=84

CD-ROM course:

strong>Addressing Environmental Contaminants and Their Effects on Human Health (New) – This CD-ROM course covers concerns of common environmental contaminants and their potential effects on human health. Presentations included on mold, lead, mercury, and pesticides, all of which are found in the home, the community, and the workplace. Free ($45 charge for continuing education credit). For more information: https://www.sph.umich.edu/iscr/mphtc/courses/one-online-course.cfm?id=91

Background

In two years, MPHTC has provided course-based training to more than 3,000 members of the public health workforce representing 56 state and local health departments, 57 community-based organizations, 25 health systems, and organizations serving the Native American, African American, Arab, Latino, Catholic and Jewish populations.

The courses offered by the MPHTC have been made possible through funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Bureau of Health Professions.

The MPHTC received a five-year grant from HRSA to develop a state-wide training center, and the Michigan Department of Community Health and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry have provided additional funding. The MPHTC strives to improve the competence of the current and future public health workforce to improve the public's health.

Testimonials

“Being in the Upper Peninsula, we are very fortunate to have the Michigan Public Health Training Center available for distance learning opportunities that are effective in improving staff training at a low cost,” says Jim Rahoi, finance officer for the Marquette County Health Department in Negaunee, Michigan.

"Michigan public health professionals are truly fortunate to have the Michigan Public Health Training Center in our midst," says Richard J. Thoune, director of the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department. "Existing skills of our staff will surely be enhanced and new and important ones will be added as we move forward to address the myriad public health issues facing us in our complex world today. I look forward to the further development of the Center's capabilities in distance learning courses and workshops to the more remote and rural areas of our state."

“The Michigan Public Health Training Center offers a partnership approach toward improving the public’s health through mutual training of employees from diverse health and community settings,” says Diana Kerr, deputy director of the Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at Henry Ford Health System.

"I have always believed that only very brainy people understood data and statistics," remarks Gwen Imes, public health consultant at the Michigan Department of Community Health. "As such, I was initially reluctant to take the data course. However, I am thrilled I took the course because the instructor ensured that every student, regardless of their exposure to data, was able to understand the concepts presented. I have already begun using my newly acquired skills."

Accreditation for Continuing Education Credits

The MPHTC has been renewed for accreditation as a provider of nursing contact hours through the Michigan Nurses Association, through January 2008. This American Nurses Coordinating Council designation allows MPHTC to give nursing continuing education credits accepted in 37 states across the country.

The MPHTC has been renewed for accreditation as a provider of Certified Health Education Specialist credits (CHES) by the National Commission of Health Education Credentialing through January, 2009. Continuing medical education credits and CEUs have been granted for all courses for which it was applied.

Contact: Robyn Nolan
Phone: 734-615-9439
E-mail: nolanr@umich.edu