There are many places to work in public health. It turns out that Public Health Units (PHUs) are home to a variety of public health professionals, including student placements and internships.

In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, we cover:

◼️ an overview of the role and function of public health units

◼️ similarities and differences when compared to community health centres

◼️ challenges of the PHU structure

◼️ importance of program evaluation

◼️ required skills and competences

References

◼️ LinkedIn Post: List of organizations that hire public health professionals in Canada

◼️ List of Public Health Job Titles and Careers

Hosts & Producers

◼️ Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®

◼️ Purva Mehta, BMSc, MSc

Production Notes

◼️ Music from Johnny Harris x Tom Fox: The Music Room

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Community Health Centres (CHCs) are an important part of the larger system as they focus primarily on improving the health and well-being of underserved populations who have traditionally faced barriers accessing health services.

In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, we cover:

◼️ the services that CHCs typically offer

◼️ the diverse range of roles including health promoters, nutritionists, social workers, and more 

◼️ practical advice for professionals on how to make their international experience relevant to these roles in the Canadian job markets.

◼️ transferable core skills and competencies that fit the roles at a CHC

References

◼️ Jobs you can get as a public health professional in Community Health Centres (CHCs)
◼️60+ Organizations That Hire Public Health Professionals:

Hosts & Producers

◼️ Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®
◼️ Purva Mehta, BMSc, MSc

Production Notes

◼️ Music from Johnny Harris x Tom Fox: The Music Room

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Each year, ASTHO publishes their anticipated top 10 public health policy issues. It is perhaps no surprise that opioids and nicotine products make this list based on the current trends.  

In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, their Chief Medical Officer talks about the chronic nature of addiction and the importance of addressing social determinants of health. The conversation also delves into the successes and challenges in tobacco control, particularly the rise of e-cigarettes. Dr. Plescia emphasizes the need for effective policy interventions, changing social norms, and the role of young public health professionals in reducing health disparities.

Guest

◼️ Marcus Plescia, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer at Association of State and Territorial Health Officials

References

◼️ Marcus Plescia, MD, MPH Profile on UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
◼️ ASTHO Unveils Top 10 State Public Health Policy Issues to Watch in 2024
◼️ 2023 Environmental Scan of Current and Emerging Public Health Priorities

Hosts & Producers

◼️ Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®
◼️ Leshawn Benedict, MPH, MSc, PMP®

Production Notes

◼️ Music from Johnny Harris x Tom Fox: The Music Room

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State and local government public health agencies lost nearly half of their employees between 2017 and 2021. This and many other factors have contributed to a shortage in the workforce. The confusing part is that more people are graduating with public health training than ever before but only 17% are landing in government jobs after finishing school.

In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Dr. Marcus Plescia of ASTHO joins us to help us make sense of this all and to share various solutions that are being explored by states and territories. 

Guest

◼️ Marcus Plescia, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer at Association of State and Territorial Health Officials

References

◼️ Marcus Plescia, MD, MPH Profile on UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
◼️ ASTHO Unveils Top 10 State Public Health Policy Issues to Watch in 2024
◼️ Strengthening the Public Health Workforce: Streamlining Government Processes and Dedicated Sustainable Funding
◼️ 2023 Environmental Scan of Current and Emerging Public Health Priorities

Hosts & Producers

◼️ Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®
◼️ Leshawn Benedict, MPH, MSc, PMP®

Production Notes

◼️ Music from Johnny Harris x Tom Fox: The Music Room

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After initially considering a career in architecture before high-school, Dr. Marcus Plescia went on to pursue a career in medicine and is now the Chief Medical Officer at the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO).

In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Dr. Plescia shares his experience:

◼️ Pursuing a dual degree in medicine and public health;
◼️ Working in the Bronx during the HIV epidemic;
◼️ Shifting to focus on non-communicable diseases;
◼️ Providing leadership to health departments and entire agencies;
◼️ Maintaining a good work-life balance despite all the commitments 

Guest

◼️ Marcus Plescia, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer at Association of State and Territorial Health Officials

References

◼️ Marcus Plescia, MD, MPH Profile on UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
◼️ ASTHO Unveils Top 10 State Public Health Policy Issues to Watch in 2024
◼️ 2023 Environmental Scan of Current and Emerging Public Health Priorities

Hosts & Producers

◼️ Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®
◼️ Leshawn Benedict, MPH, MSc, PMP®

Production Notes

◼️ Music from Johnny Harris x Tom Fox: The Music Room

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Salary negotiations are a normal part of the hiring process. Don’t let it stress you out.

This conversation on the Public Health Insight Podcast covers various approaches to negotiating a salary, including exploring the following questions:

◼️ How to determine salary expectations before applying for jobs
◼️ How to account for additional benefits beyond salary in the overall compensation packages
◼️ How to justify the amount you’re asking for
◼️ How to stay calm with excitement and when you feel under pressure to accept the first offer

Hosts & Producers

◼️ Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®
◼️ Purva Mehta, BMSc, MSc

Production Notes

◼️ Music from Johnny Harris x Tom Fox: The Music Room

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Job interviewing is one of the most under-practiced skills in the development of public health professionals.

In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Gordon and Purva discuss tips and tricks for preparing for job interviews. They emphasize: 

◼️ the importance of thoroughly reviewing the job posting;
◼️ aligning your skills and experiences with the requirements;
◼️ the significance of developing a professional brand;  
◼️ strategically showcasing your strengths during the interview;
◼️ how to project confidence and handle nerves; 
◼️ answering questions effectively;
◼️ analyzing the job posting to clearly understand the role
◼️ relating your responses to the specific job requirements
◼️ asking thoughtful questions that show your interest and knowledge. 
◼️ timing and content of thank you emails.

Hosts & Producers

◼️ Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®
◼️ Purva Mehta, BMSc, MSc

Production Notes

◼️ Music from Johnny Harris x Tom Fox: The Music Room

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The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ukraine has moved through various stages since its initial appearance and with the recent COVID-19 pandemic, and now with the ongoing conflict with Russia. Now, Ukraine currently ranks second in terms of HIV prevalence in the European region.

The access and uptake of preventative and medical services related to HIV remains a challenge for a country that ranked second in HIV prevalence in Europe. This is what you'll hear about in this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast - the final part of the conversation with Dr. Yaroslava Lopatina, who has worked as an infectious disease doctor serving HIV-positive patients in Ukraine.

Guest

◼️ Dr. Yaroslava Lopatina, MD, Country Program Director, AHF Ukraine

References

◼️ AHF Ukraine

◼️ Reasons for late detection of HIV infection among persons who applied to health care institutions

◼️ HIV testing in Ukraine. Lost opportunities

◼️ On the frontline of the fight against HIV: Ukraine's resilience and WHO's support

◼️ Two Years On: UNAIDS supports Ukraine’s commitment to the HIV response

Hosts & Producers

◼️ Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®

Production Notes

◼️ Music from Johnny Harris x Tom Fox: The Music Room

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Infectious Disease Doctors are often referred to as medical detectives. Ones who investigate clues from a variety of sources to then put all the pieces together to identify a root cause. 

Inspired by interests in her childhood, Dr. Lopatina shares her journey into medicine and her passion for infectious diseases on the Public Health Insight Podcast. She discusses her first experiences working with patients during the early days of the crisis and how it shaped her understanding of HIV/AIDS. The episode concludes with Dr. Lopatina talking about the challenges of balancing leadership responsibilities with clinical practice. 

Guest

◼️ Dr. Yaroslava Lopatina, MD, Country Program Director, AHF Ukraine

References

◼️ AHF Ukraine

◼️ Reasons for late detection of HIV infection among persons who applied to health care institutions

◼️ HIV testing in Ukraine. Lost opportunities

◼️ On the frontline of the fight against HIV: Ukraine's resilience and WHO's support

◼️ Two Years On: UNAIDS supports Ukraine’s commitment to the HIV response

Hosts & Producers

◼️ Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®

Production Notes

◼️ Music from Johnny Harris x Tom Fox: The Music Room

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Looking for some guidance and inspiration to pursue consulting or entrepreneurship in public health?

In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Dr. Charlotte Hughes Huntley shares her thoughts on the need for more innovation and adaptability in public health work to address the evolving needs of communities. She talks about serving large non-profit organizations through her consulting company, as well as how she got started. Dr. Huntley finished off with an exciting announcement about the newly launched podcast and upcoming book focused on public health entrepreneurs.

Guest

◼️ Dr. Charlotte Hughes Huntley, MPH, PhD 

References

◼️ DrCHHuntley

◼️ Public Health Epidemiology Conversations Podcast

◼️ Public Health Entrepreneurs

Hosts & Producers

◼️ Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®

◼️ Leshawn Benedict, MPH, MSc, PMP®

Production Notes

◼️ Music from Johnny Harris x Tom Fox: The Music Room

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Subscribe to The Insight newsletter so you don’t miss out on the latest podcast episodes, live events, job skills, learning opportunities, and other engaging professional development content here.

Send us a Text Message to let us know what you think.