practice strategic plan 2022-2028
The Gillings School six-year practice strategic plan, approved in July 2022, provides a roadmap for action. Gillings elevates practice as equal with research and teaching to help make North Carolina the healthiest state in the nation and to advance health globally.
The practice vision, goals and strategies were developed by the Gillings Practice Task Force after interacting with over 175 people across faculty, staff, students, alumni, friends, and stakeholders. The interactive progress tracker provides periodic updates about the steps we have taken to make a meaningful difference in health equity and outcomes.
Improve the structure and align roles of practice.
Progress summary
This effort is progressing as planned.
Project details
As of June 2024, John Wiesman, DrPH, MPH, continues to provide leadership as the associate dean for practice. Amy Lanou, PhD, has served as the director of the North Carolina Institute of Public Health (NCIPH) for six months. Vaughn Upshaw has been appointed as the chair of the Public Health Leadership and Practice department.
Progress summary
This effort progressing with some barriers of concern that are being monitored.
Project details
As of June 2024, a new department has been created at the Gillings School to combine the Public Health Leadership Program (PHLP) and the NCIPH. This will elevate PHLP to a department status and allow NCIPH to connect with the school on a deeper level which will lead to more sustainable funding opportunities. The department was named Public Health Leadership and Practice.
Prioritize and implement key recommended practice initiatives.
Progress summary
This effort is in the startup and progressing as planned.
Project details
In 2023, the Gillings School built relationships with four health departments in Cumberland, Durham, Halifax and Jackson counties. The four communities will be our pilot public health partnership hubs. The Hub was proposed by the Gillings School to provide high intensity support and resources for five to ten years with these well-defined communities with critical equity opportunities.
As of May 2024, we have hired two Community Hub Coordinators to work in Durham and Jackson counties. We will hire two more that will be located in Halifax and Cumberland. The Gillings School has also awarded five paid practicum opportunities to MPH students, who will work in one of these four counties alongside the health department to address their health priorities.
Progress summary
This effort is in the startup with some barriers of concern that are being monitored.
Project details
In 2023, the Gillings School has been selected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop a five-year work plan for a Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (PHEPR) coordinating center, to be established in 2024 through a competitive CDC Notice of Funding Opportunity. The associate dean for practice will lead the planning efforts along with a group of Gillings School experts in NCIPH and the Collaborative Studies Coordinating Center (CSCC).
As of May 2024, the team has submitted a proposal to receive an award from the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Cooperative Agreement. The period for this award would begin on September 30, 2024, and end September 29, 2029.
Progress summary
This effort is in the startup and progressing as planned.
Project details
As of June 2024, the NC Public Health Academic Practice Network has continued to meet regularly and work together to improve practice opportunities for students and faculty including implementation of more academic health departments. The Practice Unit and NCIPH are also currently formalizing an academic health department agreement with the NC Division of Public Health.
Progress summary
This effort is in the startup with some barriers of concern that are being monitored.
Project details
As of June 2024, the Gillings School is partnering with NC Department of Health and Human Services to identify the needs related to the behavioral health system.
Fund practice from a variety of sources.
Progress summary
This effort has not yet started.
Progress summary
This effort is in the startup with some barriers of concern that are being monitored.
Project Details
As of June 2024, NCIPH and the Practice Unit have partnered to receive funding opportunities from local health departments, NC A&T State University, CDC, NC DHHS and NC DPH.
Progress summary
This effort has not yet started.
Incentivize practice to enable more faculty, staff and students to engage.
Progress summary
This effort is in the startup.
Project details
As of June 2024, the internal Practice Coordinating Committee is reviewing potential incentives for practice work at the Gillings School.
Progress summary
This effort is in the startup.
Project details
As of June 2024, a new associate dean for research has been appointed at the Gillings School and conversations will begin to align the Strategic Plan for Practice and the Strategic Plan for Research that is in the final review process.
Measure contributions and communicate our story.
Progress summary
This effort is in the startup.
Project details
As of June 2024, the Practice Unit has reviewed measures with the assistant dean for strategic analysis and business intelligence. Measures will continue to be evaluated to meet the needs of the School.
Progress summary
This effort has not yet started.
Progress summary
This effort has not yet started.
