Crossing the Classroom-Practice Chasm: A Model Fellowship Program in Wisconsin

Education and training that address current practice challenges have been highlighted as priorities for strengthening the national public health workforce. Calls have been made for fellowship programs and other mentored learning opportunities that combine academic training with practice competencies. The Wisconsin Population Health Service Fellowship, created in 2004, annually offers five graduates of masters and doctoral programs in public health and allied sciences two-year, service-learning placements in governmental, non-profit and health service organizations and ongoing academic support and mentoring. This presentation will include Fellows' descriptions of their experiences, program evaluation data from both Fellows and Preceptors and a description of program operations. Evaluations reveal enhanced skills in core public health competencies and meaningful contributions to communities and agencies through Fellows' involvement in projects ranging from systems analysis to policy planning and community-based interventions. The Wisconsin Population Health Service Fellowship Program offers a bridge between academic and practical training in public health. Fully half of Fellows have remained in practice in Wisconsin after completing the program, contributing to the strength and diversity of Wisconsin's public health workforce. Our experience suggests that the program is worthy of replication in other states interested in increasing the sufficiency, competency and diversity of their public health workforce.