Hawaiʻi is in dire need of more workers in public health fields. That is one of the challenges that the Hawaiʻi Public Health Workforce Catalyst Lab and more than 80 public health leaders across the islands tackled as part of an innovative collaboration between the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health and the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health (DOH). During a recent one-day meeting, participants from the DOH, UH campuses, government, healthcare and community organizations discussed successes and identified needs.
“We are so honored that these amazing and committed stakeholders came together from across our islands representing organizations and programs across so many sectors that support, build, employ, and collaborate with Hawaiʻi’s public health workforce” said Tetine Sentell, a public health professor and principal investigator of the Catalyst Lab. “We were able to have rich and insightful discussions, share knowledge and resources, brainstorm ideas, plan action steps, and build new networks to support, strengthen, and grow our public health workforce.”
Tackling the shortage of public health workers, stakeholders proposed strategies to recruit new employees, retain young professionals, and provide more support for current workers, including field experiences and academic opportunities.
“In partnership with our division and many others, the Catalyst Lab is creating and piloting innovative pathways to support and join the public health workforce,” said Lola Irvin, DOH Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Division administrator and meeting co-host. “The vision is a diverse and empowered public health workforce ensuring opportunities for people in Hawaiʻi to experience healthy quality years of life.”
Innovative pathways, future initiatives
The Catalyst Lab team has launched workforce development projects in collaboration with DOH, including including paid practicums for public health students, tuition-free online Master of Public Health programs for DOH employees, a new faculty position to work between UH and DOH, and an inaugural postdoctoral fellowship. Future plans include statewide networking and training opportunities for Hawaiʻi’s public health workforce.
“We believe cost and geography shouldn’t prevent access to essential career training,” added Sentell. “To reduce these barriers, we design opportunities to lower or eliminate these costs for existing public health professionals and prospective ones.”
Next steps include statewide networking and training opportunities to further strengthen Hawaiʻi’s public health workforce.
