News

Greetings!

Below is a Council on Linkages Update for May 2026. Please feel free to share these opportunities in your organization’s newsletter or other communications.

Upcoming Academic Health Department Partnership Webinars 

In collaboration with the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, the Public Health Foundation will be offering two webinars on academic health department (AHD) partnerships in June:  

• Strengthening Academic Health Department Partnerships: Workforce Pathways in California on Thursday, June 18, 2026 from 3-4pm EDT 
• The Mutual Advantage: How Graduate Assistants Elevate Academic Health Department Partnerships on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 from 2-3pm EDT 

These webinars will provide a foundational introduction to AHD partnerships and highlight fellowship programs to connect emerging public health graduates with health departments in California and North Dakota. Register today to join. 

Lessons from the Field: 5 Tips for Strong Academic Health Department Partnerships

Strengthening academic health department (AHD) partnerships takes intention, planning, and learning from experience. The Public Health Foundation’s latest blog draws on lessons learned from AHD partnership environmental scans to highlight what works when building partnerships between health departments and academic institutions. Read the blog post to explore key takeaways and practical insights. 

Save the Date: 2026 Public Health Learning Forum 

November 16-19, 2026

The 2026 Public Health Learning Forum returns this fall, bringing together public health professionals nationwide to share practical strategies for workforce development, quality improvement, and performance management.  

Become a Sponsor: Sponsorship packages are available now! This is a prime opportunity to reach public health leaders and practitioners across the country. View the prospectus or contact Mike Barry at mbarry@phf.org to learn more.  

Registration & Agenda Coming in June 2026! Details on sessions, speakers, and registration are on the way. Visit the event page to stay up to date. 

A Stronger Future For Public Health Begins With Advocacy

Is your workforce equipped to engage policymakers? With trust eroding and resources shrinking, building authentic relationships with policymakers grounded in evidence and empathy is essential. In a new guest blog, Shelley Hearne, DrPH, MPH, Director of the Johns Hopkins Lerner Center for Public Health Advocacy, shares why advocacy training is a top workforce need. Learn how the Lerner Center is working to define advocacy competencies and build them into public health education. Read the blog post to learn more. 

Open Forum: Next Generation — Submit Your Abstracts and Award Nominations 

The Open Forum: Next Generation conference will take place in Nashville, Tennessee, from August 24-26, 2026. This year’s theme, Grounded in Purpose, Growing Our Impact, speaks to this moment – it is time to tend to our public health workforce, remain rooted in our collective values, and have a little fun while we’re doing it! Calls for Open Forum abstract submissions and award nominations are now open and will be closing on May 17, 2026. Please share this exciting news with your networks and be sure to save the date; registration will launch later this month.  

Feedback Wanted on Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Workforce Competencies 

The University of Washington’s Center for Disaster Resilient Communities is seeking input on updates to public health emergency preparedness and response workforce competencies. Public health emergency preparedness has evolved significantly over the last decade, including through learnings from the COVID-19 pandemic response and shifts in the workforce. This survey is led and administered by the University of Washington, informed by focus groups with practitioners and refined by an expert working group. Learn more and participate in the survey.