Southeast Public Health Leadership Institute

Meet the Scholars

Year 11 Scholar Leadership Projects

Project winners are highlighted in RED.

Achata, Carolyn	Was Core Concepts in Public Health Effective with New Public Health Nursing Staff in Southeast Tennessee? The purpose of this project is to identify whether or not a Core Public Health Concepts Introductory workshop for new Public Health Nurses impacts retention rates in Southeast Tennessee. During a three year time period in 2001-2003, twelve new nurses out of a total staff of twenty-five nurses in ten southeast regional counties were hired and resigned. Beginning in November, 2003 a 2.5 day Core Concepts of Public Health workshop was introduced into the orientation program. Nurses hired during the previous year were brought in to participate in the workshop. Subsequent newly hired nurses were required to attend the workshop. All participants were required to do a family case study. At the end, an in-class community assessment, problem identification and intervention plan was done within the theoretical model which had been taught. The assessment was done in small groups and findings presented to the group. This project identifies whether or not the new intervention make a difference in retention rates, and looks at what variables were in family case study scores between years of nursing experience or degree in nursing obtained, A.S., B.S.N. or M.S.N.?
Brainard, Carrie	Smoke Free Pregnancy – How Can WV Get There The purpose of this project is to determine why given the resources available, women continue to smoke while pregnant. First, surveys will be conducted with pregnant women enrolled in WIC (Women, Infant and Children) and Right from the Start. The scholar will also interview OB/GYN doctors. Once the data is collected, a task force will convene to determine a better way to assist these women in quitting for their health and the health of their baby.
Brewington, Valencia	StrokeMobile: Mobile Prevention Program of Stroke in South Carolina Project The purpose of this project is to demonstrate ways to reduce the disparities in the prevalence of stroke and heart disease in African Americans in two South Carolina counties in a region that is “…the epicenter for heart disease and stroke death within the state.”
Bullard, Cheryl	A Bench-Bar Guide to Public Health Law: Responding to Public Health Emergencies The purpose of this project is to develop a bench-bar guide for attorneys and judges to facilitate and streamline the legal process that will be necessary for a coordinated legal response to public health emergencies. The project was begun by presentation of the concept to a small team consisting primarily of public health lawyers, enlisting support for the development of bench-bar guidance manual to assist lawyers and judges on research, process and application of public health law in the judicial setting. The original concept was to organize the manual into three parts: (1) a treatise on subject-matter law; (2) procedural process for various public health cases and matters; and (3) forms for various public health petitions, pleadings and orders.
Casani, Julie	Developing a Strategic Plan for Public Health Preparedness for North Carolina The purpose of this project is to develop a 5-year strategic plan for Public Health preparedness in North Carolina for its state, regional and local Public Health system.
Chaing, Shu	Implementation of Cystic Fibrosis Testing at North Carolina Newborn Screening Program The purpose of this project is to design an implementation plan for CF screening. Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is one of the most common life-shortening genetic diseases in the United States, with an incidence of one in 2,500, and a carrier frequency of one in 29. Newborn Screening for CF has been shown to improve CF patient’s nutritional status, better growth, fewer hospitalization, and decrease the risk of life-threatening complications or death. Due to these benefits and the recommendations of several organizations including the American college of Medical Genetics (ACMG), the March of Dimes and the North Carolina Newborn Screening Advisory Committee, a CF to state newborn screening panel will be established.
DeCoster, Mary	Stronger Together – Preventing Infant Mortality in Durham The purpose of this project is to strengthen partnerships between agencies and community groups, to develop new community and agency partnerships, to generate additional funds and to increase community awareness of infant mortality prevention in Durham. Durham County is a “minority majority” community – 11% Latino, 38% African American, and 49% White. In 2007, Durham families lost 23 infants of color, and 8 white infants. It is apparent from these as well as other measures, that there are serious concerns about infant mortality and racial disparities in Durham. Durham has had an infant mortality task force for many years and a group of infant mortality Lay Health Advisors. Community health nurses, funded through infant mortality prevention funds, have also been active in some of the areas of greatest need in Durham. Durham County had expected to receive Targeted Infant Mortality Prevention funds again this year but did not. There is a growing sense that more needs to be done to address infant mortality prevention in Durham, and that new approaches, partnerships and funding sources are also needed. Leadership is needed to manage resistance to innovation, build partnerships and mentor emerging community and agency leaders working together to prevent infant mortality in Durham.
Delone, Elizabeth	Childhood Health Initiatives that create Life-changing Developments (CHILD) The purpose of this Childhood Health Initiatives that create Life-changing Developments (CHILD) project focused on a need to assess, address, develop interventions, and resolve an identified problem: childhood obesity in school children ages three – six. Second, the CHILD project served as an extension to the WELL-Start Initiative (2007) developed by participants of the Arkansas Public Health Institute to promote nutrition/physical activity in childcare centers. Finally, the CHILD project will consist of an evaluation criterion that will monitor obesity reduction among Arkansas elementary school children ages’ three to six and analyze outcomes/results by the year 2010 to measure implementation effectiveness.
Endres, Martha	Boon or Bane for West Virginia?: Proposed New Methodology for Primary Care Shortage The purpose of this project is to evaluate the impact of the proposed new methodology/Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 2 (NPRM2) for Federal primary care shortage designations vis-a-vis service areas in West Virginia. I sought to identify the service areas that would meet criteria for reinstatement of designations which had been “proposed for withdrawal” using the existing methodology when analyzed during the period 2003 through 2007. I also reviewed elective analyses conducted during the same period which had not met designation criteria to gauge the impact of the new methodology on these service areas.
Fresco, Andre	Experimental Aviation: A Healthcare Platform for Developing Nations The purpose of this project was to research the feasibility of employing inexpensive, amateur-built aircraft as effective platforms for healthcare delivery in the developing world. Objectives of the program included researching experimental aviation’s role as a viable healthcare vehicle; advocating for the use of light aircraft in relief efforts worldwide; and implementing “pilot” programs to prove the utility of medical kit-planes.
Haden, David	The Resurgence of Black Lung Disease The purpose of this project is to study the effects of black lung disease (pneumoconiosis) on Appalachian coal miners and the resurgence of the coal mining industry, i.e., how does the increased production of coal as a viable source of energy affect those who mine it?
Hager, Barbara	Leadership Project Proposal: Measuring and Communicating the Economic Effectiveness of BreastCare The purpose of this project is to develop and apply economic measures to assess the effectiveness of BreastCare, a program of the Arkansas Department of Health. BreastCare provides screening, diagnosis and treatment for breast and cervical cancer for qualified Arkansas women. BreastCare is also responsible for public and professional education, program recruitment and retention, evaluation and quality assurance. Recommendations for program improvement will be made based on results. Results will also be framed in language that is understandable to program funders (the Arkansas General Assembly), stakeholders (the Breast Cancer Control Advisory Board, Arkansas Department of Health senior management and program staff) and other policy makers.
Hall, Tish	Marketing North Carolina’s Best: Adolescent Parenting Program The purpose of this project is to develop a social marketing plan for the Adolescent Parenting Program of North Carolina. This plan will work along with a documented evaluation of the program and provide the necessary materials needed to raise awareness and illicit an increase in funding to expand services.
Henderson, Linda	Preparing a Small North Carolina County to Receive and Distribute the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) The purpose of this project is to develop a plan to prepare a small North Carolina County to receive and distribute the National Strategic Stockpile. (SNS). Lee County is a small community with very limited resources. In order to comply with mandatory national and state requirements, a plan must be developed for an emergency situation. This emergency is defined as a natural disaster, biological or infectious event, or terrorist act.
Hucks, Willie Ann	Running Head: Nurse Family Partnership Initiative The purpose of the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) Project is to establish a collaborative initiative which will include Horry County First Steps, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Region 6 (SCDHEC) and other community partners focused on improving pregnancy outcomes, child health and developmental progress and overall economic self-sufficiency of families of first time, low-income pregnant women in Horry County. The South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness and The Duke Endowment came together to implement the NFP Model in South Carolina. Their goal is to introduce the NFP in two counties in South Carolina within the next year. SCDHEC Region 6 and Horry County First Steps worked together to apply for funding for implementation of the NFP Initiative in Horry County.
James, Susan	*The Healthy Hand Connection – Working Hand-in-Hand to Reduce MRSA Transmission* The purpose of this project is to educate children in schools in the Southwest Region of Arkansas the importance of proper hand washing to reduce the risk of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) transmission. This project was developed by a group of Arkansas Department of Health colleagues while enrolled in the Arkansas Public Health Leadership Academy and was initiated in all school districts in only one county in the Southwest Region. As a “spin-off” of their project I want to target MRSA and develop a tool that can be implemented in all schools in the region.
Kozlica, Jennifer	S-A-T-I-S-F-A-C-T-I-O-N: Find Out What It Means To… STAFF The purpose of this project is address one of the four Southeast Regional areas of needed improvement, Staff Satisfaction. I facilitated an advisory committee to create and implement an electronic survey to measure staff satisfaction so that deficiencies can be identified and addressed to recruit and retain satisfied staff and lessen staff turnover.
Law, David	Creating Partnerships for Birth Defects Surveillance and Prevention in Tennessee The purpose of this project is to create a new advisory committee for the Tennessee Birth Defects Registry (TBDR), and in doing so enable the committee membership to build collaborative partnerships for birth defects prevention and research. Ultimately, these efforts will increase the effectiveness of the registry’s prevention efforts and our understanding of birth defects in Tennessee and elsewhere.
Li, Yinmei	Strengthening Epidemiology Support to the Chronic Disease Programs The purpose of this project is to develop a systematic epidemiologic support system to strengthen the essential chronic disease epidemiology functions in the Health Department. It is expected that completing this project will help build and strengthen my leadership skills and improve the chronic disease programs.
Long, Layton	Access to Primary Health Care for the Uninsured in Davidson County, North Carolina The intent of this project is to examine health care access for the uninsured population of Davidson County. The project is intended to mobilize community partners and resources in an effort to deal with the problem of the uninsured in a more systematic and collaborative method that develops a model that is innovative, unique to the community, increases access, and improves health outcomes. The continuing rise of uninsured in the County is taxing existing capacities of safety net providers and is contributing to poorer health outcomes for this population. This project will examine through data analysis, community stakeholder meetings, and task force development, options and alternatives to health care delivery for the uninsured in the County. These options and alternatives will be presented to community stakeholders for approval, acceptance, and implementation.
McClellan, Suzette	The Leadership Toolkit – A Workforce Development Resource to Help Employees in SCDHEC-Region 4 Improve Leadership Skills and Career Planning The purpose of this project is to compile a toolkit of resources on leadership opportunities that can be utilized to develop a competent workforce. The end result will be a toolkit of resources to help identify and develop leadership skills among employees in Region 4 in South Carolina. The resources will provide guidance in updating the Region’s Workforce Continuity and Development Plan.
McCracken, Jennifer	School Health Program Staffing Reconfiguration The purpose of this project was to implement a new staffing schedule for Catawba County Public Health’s School Health Nursing program for a cost-savings benefit. Currently, the program is funded through several funding sources, including a grant that will end in December 2009, causing each of the three school districts in the county and Catawba Valley Medical Center to fund the program at a higher level for program sustainability. An alternative funding structure needs to be developed and evaluated that could lead to cost savings and long term program sustainability.
Mims, Connie	Mecklenburg County Department of Public Health: Volunteer Program Journey The purpose of this project is to redirect the strategy and philosophy on how the Volunteer Program within the Mecklenburg County Health Department (MCHD) is managed. Our previous Volunteer program does not provide the energy and activity needed for an effective Public Health Volunteer program.
Montgomery, Sherrie	WOW WIC The purpose of this project is to improve how services of the Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) are delivered at the Hamblen County Health Department. WOW WIC (without outrageous wait) will implement a system to provide WIC in a manner that allows more participant involvement, the likelihood of good participation rates, and greater efficiency in seeing participants (i.e. less wait time). In addition, for staff, days are likely to have a more evenly distributed flow of WIC participants.
Riley, Kenisha	Completing the North Carolina Community Health Assessment (CHA) Model: Integrating Local CHA Findings and Priorities with State Public Health Programs for Program Planning, Policy, and Resource Development The purpose of this project is to complete the North Carolina Community Health Assessment (CHA) model by moving the model forward and becoming a comprehensive and fully integrated CHA system. The work of this project will build the capacity of the state, local health departments, and their collaborating partners to use community health assessment findings and priorities to mobilize community health improvement through quality program planning, research, policy development, and resource allocation.
Tackett, Kay	Improving Communication and Organizational Skills in Our Public Health Department for Better Internal & External Outcomes The purpose of this project is to develop better communication and organizational skills in our Boone County Health Department office. The result I hope to achieve is to serve our clients with respect and provide professional quality service. The outcome will be evident with improved communication, organization and better teamwork. A variety of tools will be used to assess communication and organization skills.
Turner, Jan	Public Health Nurse Extern Program The purpose of this project is to develop a statewide Public Health Nurse (PHN) Externship Program for the Arkansas Department of Health. A PHN Externship Program will assist the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) in recruiting and retaining public health nurses in communities across the state. The program will assist the agency to lessen the burden of a declining public health nurse workforce. The Externship program will also serve to further strengthen the collaborative relationships the agency currently enjoys with the Universities and Schools of Nursing within the state.
Ward, Ellie	Public Health Horticulture: Planting Seeds, Nurturing the Plants and Reaping the Reward The purpose of the Public Health Horticulture project is threefold: 1) to increase community awareness and promote a positive community perception of the hospice and respite programs administered by Dare Home Health and Hospice, a division of the Dare County Department of Public health (DCDPH); 2) to secure community based funding for the hospice and respite programs necessary to sustain them, and; 3) to help develop my leadership skills around creating and sharing a vision and building successful partnerships.
Wigal, Mark	Building a Career Ladder for Success in the WV WIC Program The purpose of this project is to develop a Para-professional training program and career pathway for personnel working at WIC (Women, Infants and Children) clinics in West Virginia. This project, when completed, will help outline a Para-professional training program that will be implemented at WIC Local Agencies and clinics. The goal is to train entry level staff to fill clinic vacancies where there are personnel shortages and provide a pathway for the Para-professional to complete educational requirements to earn necessary college credit to be recognized as a WIC Nutritionist.
Zurick, Elizabeth	Coordinating Public Policy Efforts for the Chronic Disease and Injury Section of the NC Division of Public Health The purpose of this project is to coordinate policy efforts for the North Carolina Chronic Disease and Injury Section (CDI). Policy and environmental change are recognized in public health as major catalysts in the promotion of behavior modification. Increasing emphasis has been placed on pursuing evidence based policy efforts by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other public health funding organizations. Chronic disease and injury public health programs in North Carolina would greatly benefit from a more organized, coordinated policy infrastructure to help programs become more effective and efficient in reaching their health outcome goals.

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