Dr. Dan Edney, ASTHO member and state health officer of the Mississippi State Department of Health, and Dr. Susan Kansagra, chief medical officer at ASTHO, discuss the Rural Health Transformation Program and the recent ASTHO panels that covered what states can expect and how some agencies are preparing; Tim Rosselet, manager of digital learning and design at ASTHO, shares more about Thursday’s upcoming Ignite, Accelerate, and Activate webinar...
Dr. Dan Edney, ASTHO member and state health officer of the Mississippi State Department of Health, and Dr. Susan Kansagra, chief medical officer at ASTHO, discuss the Rural Health Transformation Program and the recent ASTHO panels that covered what states can expect and how some agencies are preparing; Tim Rosselet, manager of digital learning and design at ASTHO, shares more about Thursday’s upcoming Ignite, Accelerate, and Activate webinar session on emotional intelligence skills in the public health workplace; ASTHO is looking for state agencies to apply to participate in ethical wastewater surveillance trainings, which will take place in-person in four selected states; and ASTHO’s evidence-based technical packages can help departments improve community health interventions with tactical tools and strategies.
ASTHO Blog: Understanding and Applying for the Rural Health Transformation Program
ASTHO Web Page: Ethical Analysis for Infectious Disease Wastewater Surveillance Training Opportunity
ASTHO Resource: Evidence-Based Public Health
JANSON SILVERS:
This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Monday, September 8, 2025. I'm Janson Silvers. Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.
DANIEL EDNEY:
We're all seeing this as a great opportunity to make some huge strides in a way to transform how health care is provided in rural America, and to do it in a transformational way, not just throw money at a problem, but really look at strategically investing in these problems that we've all been studying.
SILVERS:
That's ASTHO member, Dr. Daniel Edney, state health officer at the Mississippi State Department of Health, discussing the Rural Health Transformation Program. On Thursday, Edney, as well as ASTHO past president and secretary of health for the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Dr. Deborah Bogan, traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in discussions on the Rural Health Transformation Program. ASTHO chief medical officer, Dr. Susan Kansagra, served as moderator and shares some of the discussion panel's goals.
KANSAGRA:
So, the purpose was to share more about the program, what some of the expectations will be, especially listening to our federal colleagues, and then also to share how states are starting to think about the opportunity. There's certainly a lot of planning already underway.
SILVERS:
This is especially true in Mississippi, where Edney says the program will pay real dividends immediately.
EDNEY:
We have shovel-ready projects that finally, we have an opportunity and the resources to fund that we've been studying for the last two to three years, that we're convinced will move the needle in a way that we need it.
SILVERS:
The money can be used for a number of different types of investments.
KANSAGRA:
The goal of the program is to support innovation, improve access to care, support prevention, as well as create an opportunity for investing in the workforce and technology advancements.
SILVERS:
Mississippi's main focus? Technology.
EDNEY:
Mississippi needs a true, legitimate statewide health information exchange that connects all providers in our rural areas with the more urban areas that- that serve them and with each other.
SILVERS:
Kansagra added that although the application isn't available yet, all states should still prepare now to apply.
KANSAGRA:
So, we know the application is going to likely be coming out very soon. We have heard sometime this month, in September, and then by legislation, those awards need to be made before the end of the year, so the timeline is pretty rapid.
SILVERS:
Edney says Mississippi isn't waiting. His state is busy preparing as much as possible so that when the application is live, they're ready to apply. And if you're looking for ways to help your state prepare. Check out ASTHO'fs recent blog article. It has all the information you need, plus some tactical opportunities for your state to consider. There's a link in the show notes that will take you right to it.
This Thursday, September 11, the Ignite, Accelerate and Activate workshops continue with the first session of the third series on building emotional intelligence skills. ASTHO's Tim Rosselet shares why emotional intelligence in the workplace is essential.
TIM ROSSELET:
It's especially important for the public health leaders, as many of us working in this sector are experiencing radical organizational changes and challenges and navigating through some uncertainty, especially over this past year.
SILVERS:
Rosselet says there's a measurable difference in workplaces with leaders that continue to learn and grow.
ROSSELET:
When leaders neglect to focus on developing emotional intelligence within their team, several negative effects can emerge that hinder both team dynamics and organizational outcomes.
SILVERS:
From avoiding conflict to improving employee morale, Rosselet says the workshop will help public health leaders hone their skills.
ROSSELET:
It will help improve their own self-awareness, improve their stress management, enhance their communication skills, help build stronger relationships, increase team engagement, and leave room for more effective leadership.
SILVERS:
There's still time to register for this event. Click the link in the show notes to sign up now.
Next up, a chance for your state to host an in-person training. ASTHO is looking for up to four state agencies to participate in ethical wastewater surveillance trainings that will help your department through the process of ethical analysis. You can apply now for this two-day, in-person training using the link in the show notes. The deadline to apply is September 19.
Finally, today, another ASTHO resource that's available for your department: evidence-based technical packages, which combine the tools and strategies your agency can use to improve community health interventions. You can explore these packages now. We have a link in the show notes.
That'll do it for today. We're back tomorrow morning with more ASTHO news and information. I'm Janson Silvers. You're listening to the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition. Have a great day.
