Meet the Minnesota Public Health Association
We are honored to have a new blog post from Merry Grande, Executive Director of the Minnesota Public Health Association. MPHA has been a boon for public health across the state through their commitment to engaging the community and public health workers.
The Minnesota Public Health Association (MPHA) established in 1907, is an independent membership public health association representing community and health professionals on behalf of the public. It is an organization where public health workers from multiple disciplines and sectors across the state of Minnesota come together around shared values and goals. We engage and develop our members to mobilize the community to protect and improve the public’s health.
Merry Grande, Minnesota Public Health Association Executive Director
'What is the next wise action we can take?'
Given all that has been shaking the public health world, it is a frequent question on my mind. Changes of funding support and how public health and its programs are managed at the federal level are impacting MPHA members, and all Minnesotans. We are seeing stress on government and non-government agencies as effects of federal directives to our state's health department get passed down. Emerging public health leaders, and those steadily working in the field, are concerned about their career options. And tensions about the essence of how public health is valued, are felt deeply by us all.
Yet in this rocky time for public health, there are great opportunities to thoughtfully respond to our members' needs and strengthen our larger public health community. We have been adjusting and adapting our programming such as launching a Career Corner, a new series of articles, webinars, and advice for public health professionals who may find themselves in an unexpected time of transition.
Our advocacy muscles are being strengthened with guidance from expert volunteer committee leaders, each other, deeper engagement with local collaborators, and new partnerships with other American Public Health Association state affiliates. Advancing equitable public health practices and outcomes remains central to our work throughout MPHA.
It's always exciting to have fresh eyes and energy from new members, and quite meaningful to see so many people continue to stay engaged for years. As a volunteer-driven organization, our aspirations are necessarily tempered by our capacity. Prioritizing intentional relationships, being transparent in decision making, learning from best practices, and valuing a variety of perspectives, will help our organization remain valued to Minnesota's public health community for another 118 years and beyond.