Developing Leaders, Building Networks: An Evaluation of the National Public Health Leadership Institute

1
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

2
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

3
Methods

• On-line survey of all
• Nearly 400 responses (61)
• Interviews
• Graduates (17)
• Interviews - national leaders as key informants
  (18)

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Map of Findings
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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

6
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

7
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

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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

9
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

10
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

11
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

12
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)

13
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.

14
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

15
Systems and Infrastructure Were Developed

• Programs
• Organizations
• Policies
• Systems

16
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.

17
Changes Influenced by PHLI Graduates as
Reported in Survey Respondents
Systems Change 68
Organizational Change 66
Program Change 61
Policy Change 40
18
Describe ONE of those in some detail and explain
how PHLI contributed
287 provided detailed responses about
organizations, programs, policies,
collaborations, systems changes
19
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.

20
National Systems Changes

• 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.

21
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

22
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

23
Warp and Woof

• Leader Development and Network Development were
  mutually supportive
• Created fertile ground for diffusion of
  innovations