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.
Guest: Raynard Washington, PhD, MPH
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.
Guest: Beth Maldin, MPH
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.
Guest: Luigi Leblanc, MPH
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.
Guest: Danny Staley, MS
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.
Guest: Ashley Cram, MPH
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.
Guest: Steve Holloway, MPH
Aug. 10, 2026
1183: Five Years of Public Health: The Stories That Shaped Our Journey
In this episode, we celebrate five years of Public Health Review: Morning Edition and revisit some of the defining moments from the podcast's past years.
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.
Guest: Shadee Lauer, LPCC
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.
Guest: Tmong Udui, MPH
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.
Guests: Shelby Rowell, MPA , Tatiana Lin, MA
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.
Guests: Alice Schenall, DrPH, MPH , Sara Bell, MPH
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.
Guest: Maggie Nilz, MPH, CPH
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.
Guest: Mayela Arana, MPH, CHES, CPH
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.
Guest: Karla Buru, DrPH, MPH, MSW
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.
Guests: Jeffrey Ekoma, MBA, MS , Catherine Jones, MPH
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.
Guest: Ari Whiteman, PhD
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.
Guest: Candice Simon, MPH
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.
Guest: Lindsey Myers, MPH
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.
Guest: Melissa Sever, MPH, MCHES
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).
Guests: Brianna Gorman, MPH , LaShonda Freeman, MA, APM