摘要：The Management Academy for Public Health develops public health managers’ management skills. Ultimately, the program aims to develop civic entrepreneurs who can improve the efficiency and the effectiveness of their organizations. With help from a coach, teams write public health business plans to meet needs in their communities. An external evaluation found that 119 teams trained during the first 3 years of the program generated more than $6 million in enhanced revenue—including grants, contracts, and fees through their business plans—from $2 million in program funding. Approximately 38% of the teams expected to generate revenue from an academy business plan or a spin-off plan. Action-learning methods can help midcareer managers transfer their training to the workplace and build entrepreneurial skills. PUBLIC HEALTH WORKFORCE assessments have prompted many institutions to develop “Public Health 101” courses, but many public health managers and leaders—including those with public health degrees—lack formal training in management. In 1999, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Health Resources Services Administration, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation pooled $4 million through the CDC Foundation to establish and evaluate the Management Academy of Public Health as a national demonstration project that would develop skills for managing people, data, and money. Two partner schools at the University of North Carolina (UNC), Chapel Hill, were selected to develop the program: the School of Public Health and the Kenan-Flagler Business School. These partners have since collaborated on the National Public Health Leadership Institute 1 and the W.K. Kellogg–funded Emerging Leaders in Public Health program. The Management Academy of Public Health design incorporates 3 residential sessions that total 10 days over a 9-month period. Faculty from the 2 partner schools jointly developed most of the courses. Individuals receive a multirater assessment to help them develop individual goals, 2 and course credits are available for purchase. Between residential sessions, teams work on a business plan with guidance from a coach. Since 1999, more than 850 managers have enrolled, and 96% of the teams have completed the program. Each team presents their business plan during the closing session. KEY FINDINGS From an initial $2 million training investment in the Management Academy of Public Health, graduates have generated $4 million in actual revenue and an additional $2 million in forecasted revenue for team business plans. This collaboration between the School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and the Kenan-Flagler Business School has served as the foundation for additional training programs. State and city public health organizations will pay for an effective management training program that generates concrete projects. Public health managers can build their skills and confidence to become civic entrepreneurs. Action-learning methods help midcareer public health managers transfer their training to the workplace.
