karl umble, ph.d., m.p.h. phls council meeting – november 4, 2007

The North Carolina Institute for Public Health

Developing Leaders, Building Networks: An Evaluation of the

National Public Health Leadership Institute –

1991-2006

Karl Umble, Ph.D., M.P.H.PHLS Council Meeting – November 4, 2007


Purposes of this Presentation

• Display a Map of all Findings

• Present a Focused Overview of Outcomes related to National Networks and PHLS

• Guide Future Leadership Development and PHLS Activities


Methods

• On-line survey of all: –Nearly 400 responses (61%)

• Interviews: –Graduates (17)

–Interviews - national leaders as “key informants” (18)


Map of Findings

PHLI Network

Development

Individual Leader

Development

Leader Actions

NetworkActions

Systems and Infrastructure Development


Findings Related to National Networks and PHLS

• PHLI Developed Individual Leaders

• PHLI Influenced Graduates’ Actions and Voluntarism

• PHLI Strengthened Networks

• PHLI Strengthened Infrastructure and Systems

• Warp and Woof: Leaders, Networks


PHLI Developed Leaders

• Majorities Reported Improvements in: –Understanding and Skills–Sense of importance and value –Sense of belonging to national

network–Confidence and courage to act–Interest in involvement


Validation and Courage

Someone understood that our work as governmental public health officials was important, that we were important, and that we should be exposed to cutting edge thought. We were taken seriously and encouraged to speak out….

– Bobby Pestronk


Validation, Understanding, and Courage

We were treated like we mattered… The most vivid learning was Peter Senge and systems thinking… that… gave me a lot of confidence … that there was actually some merit to the way I saw [systems development]… [And] I needed to say that rather than be cautious about it.

- Susan Allan


Actions and Voluntarism

• 81% had taken on additional “voluntary” roles, such as with task forces, associations, advocacy

• 54% had taken on those roles and reported that PHLI had played some role – increased confidence, interest, skills, networks


Network, Identity, and Action

I developed an incredible and permanent personal and professional

connection to other scholars across the nation … I became passionate about my role as a leader…. I became actively involved in NACCHO … [and] in 2003 became president. [Without] PHLI, I may never have realized my potential as a national leader. – Jody Hershey


Network Development

• Scholars emphasized the benefits of network development

• Leadership networks were strengthened at national, state, and local levels

• Formal networks were established directly related to PHLI – PHLS, NLN


Benefits of Network Development

• Learning from one another during PHLI

• Long-term knowledge sharing

• Social support for courageous action

• Being introduced to formal opportunities for collaborations (e.g. with NACCHO, ASTHO, PHLS)


Networks Influenced Member Thinking and Actions

Through PHLI, I met other PH leaders across the country, and have maintained friendships with them since 1997. This network of accomplished leaders has been an invaluable source of advice, best practices, referrals, and support… a leadership network has been essential in my career.


Leadership Networks Were Strengthened

• National – professional associations – e.g. NACCHO, ASTHO, NALBOH

• State – Public Health Associations, informal networks of PHLI graduates, State and Regional leadership programs

• Local – coalitions, partnerships

• All levels: Critical masses, team actions


Systems and Infrastructure Were Developed

• Programs

• Organizations

• Policies

• Systems


Questions Asked

• Can you think of an “organizational change” that PHLI graduates influenced directly or indirectly?

• Also asked that for “program,” “systems,” and “policy” changes.


“Changes Influenced by PHLI Graduates” as Reported in

Survey Respondents

Systems Change 68%

Organizational Change 66%

Program Change 61%

Policy Change 40%


Describe ONE of those in some detail and explain how PHLI

contributed…

287 provided detailed responses about organizations, programs, policies, collaborations, systems changes


National Systems Changes

[A] reconceptualization of the public health system following [the 1988] IOM Future of Public Health report. Early graduates and subsequent graduates have been the “thought leaders” advancing the reconceptualization. [This is important because it] has helped a whole new generation of public health officials rethink their work.


PHLI brought PH leaders together to share experiences, become true colleagues, and create a common ideal for WHAT public health could become. I do not believe we would have pushed public health in the direction of creating a national accreditation system … without the efforts and vision of PHLI graduates.

National Systems Changes


State and Local Changes

• Many implementations of Ten Essential Services, Performance Standards, Accreditation

• Many were reorganizations of state and local systems and organizations

• Instigated by individuals, teams, and critical masses of graduates


Ideas for the Future

• Offer a continuum: PHLI, continuing ed, informal learning - vibrant networks

• Integrate LD at national and state levels• Strengthen networks: succession planning

and national issues work • Strengthen evaluation • Try to improve funding


Warp and Woof

Leader Development and Network Development were mutually supportive

Created fertile ground for diffusion of innovations

karl umble, ph.d., m.p.h. phls council meeting – november 4, 2007

Documents

national networks

interviews national

national networkconfidence

phli phls

local levelsformal networks

actionsthrough phli

ph leaders

systems development