A strong public health workforce is vital to protecting the health of all Iowans. As an interdisciplinary field, the public health workforce contains a wide variety of sectors, occupations, and types of professionals, and thus a variety of professional development needs are present. There are also varying needs for different types of partnerships, funding streams, and other supports. Regardless of sector or occupation, supports for the public health workforce need to be in place to achieve Iowa’s public health goals.
How We Work
Iowa Public Health Association operates through a committed staff and board.
A Strong Public Health Workforce
IPHA is Taking on 21st Century Challenges By:
- Partnering with the University of Iowa to convene Iowa’s Workforce Development Coalition
- Supporting the mental health and wellness of the public health workforce through a combination of individual and interpersonal wellness strategies, strengthened public health leadership, policy, and advocacy
- Convening stakeholders about public health and direct care stress, burnout, compassion fatigue and other topics related to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Measuring local public health system capacity in Iowa
- Advocating for increased levels of funding for county-level public health agencies and programs focused on improving Iowans health and safety
- Offering training and educational opportunities around health equity, social determinants of health, and other Public Health 3.0 principles
- Collaborating with all of Iowa’s academic public health training programs
- Connecting new graduates and others to enhanced opportunities for networking and public health jobs in Iowa
IPHA Committees
Iowa Public Health Association (IPHA) has been the voice for public health in Iowa since 1925. We are led by a committed staff and board and powered by more than 500 public health professionals from across the state.
In addition to participating in educational opportunities hosted by IPHA and attending our annual conference, members have many opportunities to network, collaborate, and grow as professionals.
Members can directly contribute to IPHA’s strategic approach through participating in one of six standing committees or the PHCI Planning Committee. Current IPHA members should email info@iowapha.org with any questions and to join a committee (or more than one!). Students who wish to actively contribute to any of the IPHA standing committees have the opportunity to earn a student-level membership scholarship.
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee creates and implements a strategy for recruiting and engaging a diverse and robust IPHA membership. Activities include collecting and analyzing membership data, and identifying strategic opportunities to increase the number of IPHA members and benefits available to members. The Committee meets on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 1:00 PM.
Education & Programming Committee
The Education & Programming Committee plans professional development opportunities for members. Current activities include planning IPHA’s 3rd Thursday Lunch & Learn series, the IPHA annual conference pre-conference workshop, and other workshops and trainings as needed. The Committee meets on the 3rd Friday of each month at 8:30 AM.
JEDI Equity Committee
The Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee assists with focusing members and resources on the causes and solutions to health equity issues in Iowa. Activities include identifying gaps in Iowa’s health equity/disparity data and services, proposing health equity related policy goals, and ensuring IPHA events, partnerships, and communications are accessible and welcoming. The Committee meets on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 11:00 AM.
Advocacy Committee
The Advocacy Committee ensures IPHA members are aware of current policy issues and are equipped with the relevant public health information to share with legislators and public officials. Activities include planning IPHA events like Speak for Health, the IPHA Legislative Forum, Public Health Day on the Hill, and developing action alerts for members. The Committee meets on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month at 2:00 PM.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee works with the IPHA Executive Director to set the annual budget, development goals, and conduct an annual audit. This committee is chaired by the sitting Treasurer from the IPHA Board of Directors and is an excellent fit for those who wish to learn more about non-profit operations.
Communication Committee
The Communications Committee assists with the creation and dissemination of messaging that promotes public health in Iowa, as well as IPHA itself. This committee also plays a substantial role in setting the communications strategy for IPHA’s many platforms including website and blog, social media, and printed promotional materials. The Committee meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 3:00 PM.
PHCI Planning Committee
The Public Health Conference of Iowa Planning Committee is a special committee that works together to plan and implement all the elements of IPHA’s Annual Conference such as securing space and keynote speakers, soliciting presenters and exhibitors, organizing volunteers for the days of the conference and many other activities. The Conference Planning Committee is chaired by a rotating member of the IPHA Board of Directors.