Public Health Workforce Episodes

Sept. 14, 2026

1204: New Jersey’s Public Health Priorities: Preparedness, Access to Care, and Communication

ASTHO member and New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Raynard Washington discusses his plans to strengthen the state's public health infrastructure, pulling from his past experience in North Carolina and Philadelphia.
Sept. 10, 2026

1202: 25 Years After 9/11, Part 1: How Public Health Preparedness Has Evolved

Beth Maldin, deputy commissioner for the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, reflects on her experience responding to 9/11, the anthrax attacks that followed, and how the events helped transform public health emergency preparedness.
Sept. 8, 2026

1200: Data Modernization and Technology in the U.S. Territories

On today's episode, guest Luigi Leblanc, a doctoral student at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, shares his research findings on data modernization across the territories. Leblanc highlights why data interoperability, governance, and workforce stability are critical to residents' health care in island areas.
Aug. 25, 2026

1192: Building a More Innovative and Agile Public Health Workforce

On today's episode, ASTHO's Danny Staley discusses how innovation and capacity building can help health departments adapt by strengthening the workforce and using data in new ways.
Aug. 24, 2026

1191: Community Health Workers: Building a Sustainable Workforce

In recognition of National Community Health Workers Week, ASTHO’s Ashley Cram dives into how states are supporting this essential field through training, supervision, career pathways, and sustainable funding.
Aug. 17, 2026

1187: Using Data to Close Primary Care Gaps

Steve Holloway, director of the Primary Care Office for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, shares how his team uses data to identify communities with provider shortages.
July 21, 2026

1169: PHIG Impact Report: Building a Stronger Public Health Workforce in New Mexico

On today's PHIG Impact Report, Shadee Lauer, director for the Office of Training and Development at the New Mexico Department of Health, explains how the state is using PHIG funding to recruit, retain, and develop its workforce through data-driven strategies and innovative professional development programs.
July 7, 2026

1160: PHIG Impact Report: Palau's Data Transformation Journey

On today's PHIG Impact Report, Tmong Udui with the Palau Ministry of Health and Human Services shares how Palau is using PHIG funding to modernize its health data systems.
June 30, 2026

1156: PHIG Impact Report: AI in Public Health

On today's PHIG Impact Report, Tatiana Lin and Shelby Rowell from the Kansas Health Institute highlight how health departments are using AI to improve efficiency and expand workforce capacity.
June 26, 2026

1154: Public Health Leadership and Innovation in the Islands

On today's episode, ASTHO's Joseph Kanter and Andy Baker-White highlight takeaways from the Executive Leadership Forum and the legislative actions advancing public health in island jurisdictions.
June 25, 2026

1153: Building Change Leadership and Implementation Capacity in Public Health

On today's episode, ASTHO's Sara Bell and Alice Schenall discuss how public health agencies can turn strategic plans into measurable progress and lead through change and uncertainty.
June 24, 2026

1152: Building a Strong Public Health Workforce Through Onboarding

On today's episode, Mary Ramirez from the South Carolina Department of Public Health discusses the agency’s innovative onboarding program for new employees.
Guest: Mary Ramirez
June 23, 2026

1151: How States Are Strengthening Supply Chains and Stockpiles

On today's episode, ASTHO's Maggie Nilz shares how states are rethinking public health preparedness and adapting to a changing emergency management landscape.
June 17, 2026

1148: How Academic Health Department Partnerships Create Career Pathways

On today's episode, Mayela Arana from the Public Health Foundation discusses academic health department partnerships, which are designed to strengthen the current workforce and train the next generation of public health professionals.
June 16, 2026

1147: PHIG Impact Report: How South Carolina Is Building a Stronger Workforce

On today's PHIG Impact Report, Karla Buru from the South Carolina Department of Public Health discusses the agency’s Supplemental Tuition Assistance Program (STAP), an innovative workforce development initiative designed to support employee development, retention, and leadership.
June 15, 2026

1146: Budget Battles and Capitol Hill Updates

On today's episode, Catherine Jones, senior analyst for government affairs at ASTHO, breaks down HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s FY27 budget hearings. Then, Jeffrey Ekoma, vice president of government affairs at ASTHO, highlights a recent Legislative Alert and developments in congressional appropriations, pending leadership nominations, and more.
June 10, 2026

1143: AI Literacy and the Future of Public Health Work

On today's episode, ASTHO's Ari Whiteman discusses the growing importance of AI literacy across the public health field, for the current workforce and incoming professionals.
June 8, 2026

1141: Stopping Outbreaks Before They Spread: CDC’s Global Health Security Mission and World Cup Preparedness

On today's episode, CDC's Paige Armstrong explains how the organization works with partners around the world to detect and contain emerging health threats before they reach U.S. communities. Also, Marcus Plescia from the Fulton County Board of Health in Atlanta discusses preparations underway for the FIFA World Cup.
June 3, 2026

1138: How Mentorship Strengthens the Maternal and Child Health Workforce

On today's episode, Candice Simon from the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs discusses the Maternal Health Innovation Leaders Mentorship Program and the value of meaningful professional guidance in public health.
June 2, 2026

1137: Resetting Public Health with Big Ideas for Change

On today's episode, Lindsey Myers, ASTHO vice president for public health workforce and infrastructure, discusses the Insight and Inspiration webinar series featuring bestselling author Dan Heath and why his books resonate with public health professionals navigating today’s complex environment.
June 1, 2026

1136: Building Public Health Workforce Capacity Across Island Jurisdictions

On today's episode, Melissa Sever from the Public Health Accreditation Board tells us about the Strengthening Public Health Workforce Capacity in Island Jurisdictions Project and the unique workforce challenges facing island jurisdictions.
May 26, 2026

1133: PHIG Impact Report: Inside America’s $4.6 Billion Infrastructure Investment

What does it take to rebuild the foundation of public health in the United States, and why did it take 30 years to get here? Director of the Division of Jurisdictional Support, CDC's Public Health Infrastructure Center, Stacey Mattison Jenkins breaks down the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG), a $4.6 billion investment reaching more than 100 health departments nationwide.
May 20, 2026

1130: From Recruitment to Retention: Strengthening the Public Health Workforce

On today's episode, ASTHO'S Brianna Gorman discusses ASTHO’s new Workforce Employee Experience Implementation Tool. Later, LaShonda Freeman with the South Carolina Department of Public Health discusses South Carolina’s Supplemental Tuition Assistance Policy Program (STAP).