Stephen Orton

The management academy for public health: A new paradigm for public health management development

Research has established a need to develop management skills among public health professionals. The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill created the Management Academy for Public Health as a pilot program for this specialized training need. This article describes why a management academy for public health managers was formed, its curriculum and instructional methods, and the evaluation findings from its first year. The program sponsors hope to effect individual and organization level change, eventually leading to improved community health. Results suggest that this innovative program gives public health professionals needed skills and improves their job performance.

The UNC Management Academy for Public Health: How the UNC School of Public Health and the Kenan-Flagler Business School created a winning partnership

The University of North Carolina Management Academy for Public Health is a unique training program that combines a business education with a public health focus, to enhance the performance of individual public health managers and improve organizational strength throughout governmental public health. This article considers the implications of decisions made in creating this program, which, after initial funding through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation, is now self-sustaining through participant fees. It details the principles behind the programs design, curriculum, evaluation, and sustainability strategies; presents results of the ongoing partnership; and draws conclusions about the programs future ability to meet a national need for public health management training.