Episodes

1153: Building Change Leadership and Implementation Capacity in Public Health
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.
1152: Building a Strong Public Health Workforce Through Onboarding
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
1151: How States Are Strengthening Supply Chains and Stockpiles
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.
1150: Building a Community-Driven State Health Improvement Plan in Oregon
June 22, 2026

1150: Building a Community-Driven State Health Improvement Plan in Oregon

On today's episode, ASTHO member Naomi Adeline-Biggs discusses the development of Oregon’s five-year State Health Improvement Plan.
1149: Mid-Session Check-In: The Public Health Trends Shaping State Legislatures
June 18, 2026

1149: Mid-Session Check-In: The Public Health Trends Shaping State Legislatures

On today's episode, Beth Giambrone discusses ASTHO’s mid-session update, reviewing the current public health trends emerging in state legislatures.
1148: How Academic Health Department Partnerships Create Career Pathways
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.
1147: PHIG Impact Report: How South Carolina Is Building a Stronger Workforce
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.
1146: Budget Battles and Capitol Hill Updates
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.
1145: Why the South Is Facing a Syphilis Crisis
June 12, 2026

1145: Why the South Is Facing a Syphilis Crisis

On today's episode, Thomas Dobbs from the University of Mississippi discusses syphilis in the U.S., from the use of antibiotics and public health interventions to the rising case rates over the past decade. Later, Joshua O’Neal from the Southeast STD/HIV Prevention Training Center discusses how prevention training centers are helping health departments and local providers respond to the crisis.
1144: Tracking Alpha-Gal Syndrome: Why Massachusetts Is Monitoring a Growing Tick-Borne Threat
June 11, 2026

1144: Tracking Alpha-Gal Syndrome: Why Massachusetts Is Monitoring a Growing Tick-Borne Threat

On today's episode, ASTHO member Robert Goldstein discusses why Massachusetts recently made alpha-gal syndrome a reportable condition and the benefits of expanded case surveillance.
1143: AI Literacy and the Future of Public Health Work
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.
1142: Why Immunization Information Systems Matter
June 9, 2026

1142: Why Immunization Information Systems Matter

On today's episode, ASTHO’s Andy Baker-White explains why Immunization Information Systems are essential to modern public health, and what lawmakers and the public should understand as policy debates continue.
1141: Stopping Outbreaks Before They Spread: CDC’s Global Health Security Mission and World Cup Preparedness
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.
1140: Inside the Growing Ebola Outbreak in Central Africa
June 5, 2026

1140: Inside the Growing Ebola Outbreak in Central Africa

On today's episode, ASTHO’s Meredith Allen, vice president of health security, explores what sets the Ebola outbreak apart, discussing the virus strain, response efforts, and factors contributing to its rapid spread.
1139: How North Dakota Built a Statewide Medical Cache for Emergencies and Everyday Needs
June 4, 2026

1139: How North Dakota Built a Statewide Medical Cache for Emergencies and Everyday Needs

On today's episode, Tim Wiedrich from the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services tells us how the state developed a unified public-private partnership that supports hospitals, public health agencies, EMS providers, and long-term care facilities.
Guest: Tim Wiedrich
1138: How Mentorship Strengthens the Maternal and Child Health Workforce
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.
1137: Resetting Public Health with Big Ideas for Change
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.
1136: Building Public Health Workforce Capacity Across Island Jurisdictions
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.
1135: From Sewage Spills to Strategic Partnerships
May 28, 2026

1135: From Sewage Spills to Strategic Partnerships

On today's episode, ASTHO member Ayanna Bennett discusses the Potomac River sewage spill, the public health risks it created, and the coordination required between local, state, and federal agencies to protect residents. Later, ASTHO’s Jen Layden explains why partnerships are central to ASTHO’s 2026–2029 strategic plan.
1134: Breaking Boundaries in Overdose Prevention Leadership
May 27, 2026

1134: Breaking Boundaries in Overdose Prevention Leadership

On today's episode, ASTHO’s Alice Schenall, senior advisor, cross sector leadership and change management, and ASTHO's Alyssa Merski, a senior analyst for social and behavioral health, talk about the role of boundary spanning leadership in strengthening Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) efforts.
1133: PHIG Impact Report: Inside America’s $4.6 Billion Infrastructure Investment
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.
1132: Leading Through the Storm: Carolyn Mullen on Public Health Advocacy, Crisis, and Change
May 22, 2026

1132: Leading Through the Storm: Carolyn Mullen on Public Health Advocacy, Crisis, and Change

On today's episode, Carolyn Mullen, senior vice president for government affairs and public relations, reflects on the defining moments, leadership lessons, and policy battles that shaped her nine years at ASTHO and her tenure in public health advocacy.
1131: Tracking Emerging Threats & Global Accessibility Awareness
May 21, 2026

1131: Tracking Emerging Threats & Global Accessibility Awareness

On today's episode, ASTHO Vice President of Health Security, Meredith Allen, tells us about the ongoing monitoring response tied to an outbreak of the Andes strain of hantavirus linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius. Later, Emily Lapayowker, assistant director of web content at ASTHO talks about Global Accessibility Awareness Day.
1130: From Recruitment to Retention: Strengthening the Public Health Workforce
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).