The Council on Linkages Between Academia and Public Health Practice (Council on Linkages) hosted a virtual meeting on Thursday, March 26, 2026 from 2-4pm ET. This meeting highlighted efforts to rebuild and strengthen the public health workforce, featuring a presentation from the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) on their ongoing work to develop Standards & Measures, Version 2026, and the process PHAB has been using to gather input from the field and address current public health practice needs. Workforce development updates from Council member organizations during this meeting included the National Board of Public Health Examiners and the National Association of County & City Health Officials. The latest updates on Council on Linkages initiatives, including the Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals and Academic Health Department Learning Community were shared. The meeting ended with an open discussion of Council on Linkages priorities to help shape future activities. Meeting materials and meeting slides are available for download.
Agenda
| Time | Agenda Item | Speakers | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2:00-2:05 | Welcome and Overview of Agenda | Amy Lee | • Meeting Agenda • Council Member List Supplemental Materials: • Council Constitution and Bylaws • Council Participation Agreement • Council Strategic Directions, 2023-2027 |
| 2:05-2:10 | Introduction of New Council Member • Charity Menefee, MA, Representative for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials | Amy Lee | |
| 2:10-2:15 | Approval of Minutes from September 12, 2025 Meeting Action Item: Vote on Approval of Minutes | Amy Lee | • Draft Minutes from September 12, 2025 |
| 2:15-2:45 | Rebuilding the Public Health Workforce • Insights from the Public Health Accreditation Board | Ron Bialek, Joneigh S. Khaldun, & Marita Chilton | • Rebuilding the Public Health Workforce: Insights from the Public Health Accreditation Board Report |
| 2:45-3:15 | Council Member Organization Workforce Development Updates • National Board of Public Health Examiners • National Association of County & City Health Officials | Amy Lee, Allison Foster, & Ashley Edmiston | • Council Member Organization Workforce Development Updates Report |
| 3:15-3:25 | Council on Linkages Activities Updates: • Academic Health Department Learning Community (Council Strategic Directions – A.1.a., A.1.b.) • Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals (Council Strategic Directions – B.1.b., C.3.a., C.3.b.) • Retention and Recruitment Toolkit (Council Strategic Directions – C.1.a.) | Amy Lee & Mayela Arana | • Council Activities Report |
| 3:25-3:55 | Open Discussion of Council on Linkages Priorities | Amy Lee & Kathleen Amos | • Open Discussion of Council Priorities Report • Council Strategic Directions, 2023-2027 |
| 3:55-4:00 | Other Business and Next Steps | Amy Lee | |
| 4:00 | Adjourn |
For more information, please contact Mayela Arana at marana@phf.org.