This paper reports the results of the ASPH/HRSA years 5 and 6 special projects carried out by the Center of Leadership in Public Health Practice in the University of South Florida's College of Public Health. Year 5's primary product was a model of an academic public health center. The model was developed using the results of a literature review and a review of reports of academic partnerships with public health practitioners, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) concept of center of excellence, and discussions with public health officials in Florida. Project staff reviewed the model with a regional alliance of local health departments and found the health departments supportive. Year 6 implementation activities included identifying faculty in the USF College of Public Health with a strong interest in public health practice issues and practitioners in nearby county health departments who wished to strengthen ties with the USF COPH, collecting additional information from the FDOH relating to its evolving concept of center of excellence (COE), collating this information with the report Demonstrating Excellence in Academic Public Health Practice, holding a seminar for faculty and practitioners aimed at defining guidelines for centers of excellence and developing collaborative relationships in the areas of teaching, research, and service, and producing a report relating to the COE guidelines, producing a draft memorandum of understanding to further the collaboration between faculty and practitioners, and revising the model for an academic public health center.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to: 1. List the main elements of a model for an academic public health center; 2. Describe a set of steps for bringing together public health academics and practitioners; and, 3. Describe the contents of a model memorandum of understanding.
Keywords: Public Health Infrastructure, Practice-Based Research
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.