The Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Minority Health Policy at Harvard University is pleased to announce the call for applications for the 2023–2024 year. At the Harvard Medical School, applications are now being accepted for a one-year, degree-granting, full-time fellowship beginning in July 2023.

The Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Minority Health Policy at Harvard University is designed to prepare physicians, particularly those from groups underrepresented in medicine, to become leaders in transforming health care delivery systems and promoting innovation in policies, practices, and programs that address health equity and social determinants of health for historically marginalized populations.

The program offers intensive study in health policy, public health, and management. Fellows complete academic work leading to a Master of Public Health degree at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health or a Master of Public Administration degree at the Harvard Kennedy School. Fellows also participate in leadership forums and seminars with nationally recognized leaders in health care delivery systems, minority health, and health policy.

The application deadline is 5:00 pm ET on December 1, 2022. All application materials must be submitted in the online application system by the deadline.

Click here to review and access the electronic application system!

Sod House Theater has teamed up with The University of Minnesota’s Center for Orphan Drug Research to develop a new production focused on bringing attention to those diagnosed with a rare disease. Join them on October 22 (University of MN - Morris) and October 23 (Fargo, ND) for their final two performances

RARE is a partnership between Sod House Theater and the team at The University of Minnesota’s Center for Orphan Drug Research to develop a new production focused on bringing attention to those diagnosed with a rare disease. The collaboration will adapt the Greek tragedy, Philoctetes, to help audiences gain greater awareness and deeper understanding of the medical, economic, psychological, and social challenges facing people with rare diseases. Kevin Kling, best known for his popular commentaries on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered, is the playwright.

Click here to learn more and reserve tickets! Tickets are free.

Join the Center for Economic Inclusion for their Powering Inclusion forum on October 27, 2022 at 12:00 PM CT. At the forum, the Center will release its report on Racial Equity Impact Notes and the importance of rubrics and other tools for measuring the efficacy of local and state policies designed to close racial employment, income, and wealth gaps.

The Center’s report will inform its legislative agenda and facilitate Minnesota’s Legislature and local government in fulfilling their commitment to create racially responsive and effective policy and investments for all Minnesotans, ensuring that the entire state continues to prosper.

This online forum will be an opportunity to hear from leaders from different sectors and the Center’s CEO, Tawanna Black, on the state of inclusive economic growth and equitable wealth building in our region, and the report's findings.

Click here to learn more and register!

On November 17, 2022 at 3 - 4 PM ET, join APHA for a virtual strategy session on partnership building and advocacy. This session is a part of a series for APHA affiliates and their membership.

In this session, we discuss how affiliates and their members can protect public health in a variety of ways. We will hear from 2 experienced advocates from Local Solutions Support Center (LSSC) on how to scale tactics based on the environment in your state.

This session will include live transcription (the automatic Zoom capability), please email Rya (rya.griffis@apha.org) about any accommodations or considerations we should take to make sure you can fully participate.

Click here to register in advance for this meeting! After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Stay tuned: future sessions of this training series to be announced!

On Thursday, October 6 at 2:00-3:30 pm CST, join PEAK MN for a virtual session about philanthropy and its role in racial and health equity! In this session, learn how philanthropy can play a stronger role to reverse longstanding, destructive trends and improve the lives and systems that make up our democracy.

Philanthropy has a critical role to play in redressing the structural racism and oppression at the root of health inequities in our nation. By prioritizing cross-cultural, cross-sector, and interdisciplinary alliances, philanthropy can strengthen racial and intersectional equity in governance and policy making.

Health equity is defined by a very broad spectrum of social determinants of health:

• Racism, discrimination, and violence
• Safe housing, transportation, and neighborhoods
• Education, job opportunities, and income
• Access to nutritious foods and physical activity opportunities
• Polluted air and water
• Language and literacy skills

Our speaker is Vayong Moua, MPA, Director of Racial and Health Equity Advocacy at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.

Thursday, October 6th, 2022
2:00-3:30pm Central Time
Via Zoom - Meeting Link will be sent upon registration
Registration is open and complimentary to all!

Click here to register!

The Monkeypox Information Outreach Award from the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) will provide funding to organizations for the purpose of providing communities most at risk for monkeypox with high quality information about monkeypox. The award is intended to increase health equity through outreach and engagement. We invite public health departments, clinics, hospitals, libraries, non-profit organizations, and faith-based organizations who are located in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin to apply.

The Period of Performance is December 1, 2022 – April 30, 2023, and the Application Deadline is October 21, 2022, 5:00 pm CDT. A minimum of three awards in the amount of $5,000 will be funded.

Potential Project Ideas

Because of the time sensitive nature of this health information outreach and the short performance period, we recommend the following project ideas:

• A health department sends public health workers to LGBTQ bars and community centers to distribute and post flyers or printed information about monkeypox from MedlinePlus and/or CDC. Alternatively, the health department creates original flyers containing a QR code that links to monkeypox information online from CDC and/or MedlinePlus. Information covered might include prevention, safer sex practices, signs & symptoms, transmission, testing, treatment, and/or vaccines.
• A library or community organization partners with a health department to offer flyers or printed information about monkeypox and the monkeypox vaccine at vaccine clinics. The flyers and information come from MedlinePlus and/or CDC.
• Award recipient creates QR code stickers for condom packages. The QR code links to monkeypox information from MedlinePlus and/or CDC. Award recipient distributes stickered condom packages for focused disease prevention and educational awareness at LGBTQ bars, community centers, health clinics, etc.
• A community organization, health department, or clinic creates short videos explaining what monkeypox is, how it does and doesn’t spread, what to do if you have monkeypox, and what to expect with the monkeypox vaccine. The video is distributed via social media, along with links to more information about monkeypox from MedlinePlus and/or CDC.

Click here for full application and eligibility information!

If you would like to discuss your project before submitting a proposal, please contact Nora Barnett, MS, AHIP, Health Professions Outreach Specialist, NNLM Region 6, nora-barnett@uiowa.edu.

The MN SOPHE Summit Planning Committee would like to invite you to this year’s virtual conference with our novel theme, Building Bridges in Health Education: Getting Back to the Work We Love, on October 19th, 2022 from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. 

This year’s featured speakers will be speaking on the following topics:

• Trauma recovery

• Health equity among sexual and gender minority youth

• School and community partnerships in public health education

• Career development

• Poster session - featuring innovative and successful programs and evaluation techniques

With reduced cost for members and 3.5 Category 1 ceu's*, this half-day virtual conference is the best deal around! 

• Professional member: $25

• Student member: FREE

• Professional nonmember: $50

• Student nonmember bundle (conference + membership): $10

• Professional bundle (conference + membership): $60

Click here for full agenda and registration details!

Join the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) for their upcoming Research and Innovation Forum on Thursday, October 13 at 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM. The event, hosted by Sleep Number, will focus on the cancer patient experience and what we can do to make sure all patients have equitable access to the care they need to fight their disease. Speakers will discuss innovative approaches to patient navigation, clinical trial enrollment, strategies to resolve financial toxicity, and access to targeted therapies. This event will be a hybrid event and will offer both in-person and virtual options to participate.

Confirmed Speakers:

• Emmanuel S. Antonarakis, MD, Clark Endowed Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota
• Lance Barbour, MPH, Director, State & Local Campaigns – Health Equity, ACS CAN
• Talaya Dendy, Cancer Thriver & Cancer Doula
• Representative Heather Edelson (49A), Assistant Majority Leader
• Dan Endreson, Sr. Director of Policy and Government Affairs, MN Council of Health Plans
• Dana Erickson, President and CEO, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
• Talaya Dendy, Cancer Thriver & Cancer Doula
• Shelly Ibach, President and CEO, Sleep Number
• Kelly Leibold, Cancer Survivor

Click here to learn more and register!

You and your healthcare colleagues from all disciplines are invited and encouraged to attend a FREE wellness workshop at the Minneapolis Convention Center October 7-8, 2022. This event is divided into four-hour sessions, each having a Keynote speaker and breakout workshops. This schedule allows the option to attend one or more session based on your busy schedule.

Members of the healthcare community in all fields and roles have given everything to serve Minnesotans throughout the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19. We know this has taken its toll on you and your families, yet your commitment and sacrifices have not wavered, and you continue to care for us all. Minnesotans want to say thank you and provide you with evidence-based tools to promote your ongoing wellness!

Click here to learn more and register!

The Region V Public Health Leadership Institute (RVPHLI) is an opportunity for professionals in public health and primary care to cultivate their capacity to influence change in their organizations and communities. This six-month virtual program is grounded in theory, coupled with practical application and peer-to-peer learning. RVPHLI will set a foundation for emerging leaders as well as strengthen skills for current leaders to recruit and retain a diverse workforce and engage cross-sector partners in addressing the social determinants of health.

The program will run from January - June 2023. Participants will engage in a variety of learning activities, both live and self-paced, for a total of 40 contact hours. The estimated time commitment is 1-2 hours/week on average over 24 weeks.

NOTE: This program is only available to individuals within the Region V states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The cohort will be limited to 36 people from across the region.

Click here to learn more and apply!