KU News Release

KU honors 36 Kansas participants of Public Health Certificate Program

TOPEKA — Dr. Howard Rodenberg, Division of Health director for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, gave the keynote address for year-end recognition ceremonies honoring 36 participants in the 2005 KU Public Health Certificate Program Dec. 14 at the University of Kansas Public Management Center.

Most students work in state and local public health departments throughout Kansas as well as the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). In order to complete the program, students must attend two days of classes each month in Topeka for one calendar year, beginning in January. The curriculum includes courses in public health fundamentals, epidemiology, environmental health, leadership and community development.

The Public Health Certificate is considered the cornerstone public health credential in Kansas, according to Charles Jones, director of the KU Public Management Center that coordinates it. The program is offered by the center in partnership with the Kansas Association of Local Health Departments and KDHE. The Kansas Health Foundation provides scholarships to many program students.

“The Public Health Certificate represents the heartfelt commitment of our graduates to excellent public health services in every corner of Kansas,” said Jones. “While managing full-time jobs, these students and their sponsoring agencies somehow found time and energy for this rigorous program. Their dedication to public health in Kansas is truly inspiring.”

The program faculty consisted of academics and practitioners from the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, the University of Kansas Medical Center, local health departments and KDHE. Most instructors were unpaid volunteers committed to public health excellence, Jones said.

A list of 2005 program participants who were honored during year-end recognition ceremonies, their employers and the cities where they are employed is below.

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