Strengthening the Workforce through New York State’s Public Health Corps

On June 25, 2024, NYHealth hosted a webinar on strengthening New York’s public health workforce.

Recent research indicates state and local public health departments need a massive workforce increase—80% by some estimates—to deliver essential public health services nationwide post-pandemic.

In response, since 2021, New York State has committed to expanding its health care workforce by 20% over four years and has made targeted investments, including the launch of the New York State Public Health Corps. This first-in-the-nation program aims to strengthen local and statewide capacity to support COVID-19 recovery, increase preparedness for future public health emergencies, and develop a workforce that promotes equity and is reflective of the communities it serves.

Panelists discussed how the program has strengthened New York State’s public health workforce, as well as remaining gaps and opportunities. They highlighted the program’s model and relationship to other workforce programs; local health department leaders and program outcomes across a range of topics, such as communicable disease surveillance, drug overdose, lead toxicity prevention, and reproductive health care access; and opportunities to leverage the program’s successes.

Speakers were:

• Erin Knoerl, Director, New York State Public Health Corps Fellowship Program, New York State Department of Health
• Gale Burstein, M.D., M.P.H., Commissioner, Erie County Department of Health
• Sarah Ravenhall, Executive Director, New York State Association of County Health Officials
• Tara Schafer, Executive Director, Literacy Buffalo Niagara
• Danielle Rovillo, Project Coordinator – Health Equity, Erie County Department of Health

Watch the webinar recording here.

View presentation slides.