Public Health Executive Fellowship

Overview

The Program

The Tennessee Department of Health's (TDH) Public Health Executive Fellowship is a prestigious career development and mentorship opportunity for recent graduates interested in public health. The program allows fellows to gain practical, hands-on experience addressing critical public health challenges with the support of an experienced team. More than an internship or practicum, the length of the program and full-time nature of the experience allow fellows to become integral contributors to the mission and vision of TDH.

Based in Nashville, the fellowship provides exposure to the diversity and depth of work performed in a state health department. Along the way, fellows serve as core members of the TDH team. Graduated fellows have proceeded to successful careers within TDH and have been accepted to distinguished graduate programs.  

The Position 

The Public Health Executive Fellowship is a one-year program that can be extended for a potential second year. During the first year, the fellow serves primarily in a home office, where the fellow will serve as a full-time team member alongside seasoned public health professionals. If TDH and the fellow mutually agree to a second year, the fellow will continue to serve in the home office while pursuing a capstone project. Previous projects have included a detailed history of TDH’s response to the opioid epidemic, literature reviews, and the development of resources and recommended practices for TDH programs. Previous fellows developed deliverables that were presented to the Governor and state legislature.

Fellows will apply to a home office based on their individual career goals and interests. The home office will be the primary factor in determining the fellow’s responsibilities and projects. The fellow’s work plan is also tailored to support professional growth along their desired career path. The Office of Health Planning and the Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Program are the current home offices available. A description of each home office, along with examples of responsibilities, are located below.

Home Office Descriptions: 

Office of Health Planning

The Office of Health Planning is housed within the Division of Health Strategy and Regulation and is tasked with multiple responsibilities including drafting, updating, and implementing the State Health Plan; reviewing Certificates of Need; drafting the State Oral Health Plan; receiving and evaluating Joint Annual Reports; and assisting in monitoring Certificates of Public Advantage.


Example responsibilities: 

  • Support the implementation of the 2024-2026 State Health Plan through coordinating meetings, collaboration and alignment among internal and external partners.
  • Collect and format data to be included in the State of Health annual report, data dashboards, and infographics.
  • Design health communication materials to promote the State Health Plan and State of Health report. 

Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Program

The Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Program (HAI/AR) is a program within the Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness (CEDEP) Division that provides guidance, consultation, resources, and education to healthcare facilities and providers across Tennessee on topics such as infection prevention and control, patient safety, antimicrobial stewardship, and antimicrobial resistance. The program’s aim is to reduce all types of HAIs across the state and reduce antimicrobial resistance.

Example Responsibilities:

  • Support analysis of HAI/AR data in areas such as antimicrobial prescribing rates and patient risk factors for multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) acquisition.
  • Support the HAI/AR Health Equity Team with initiatives to identify, characterize, and reduce healthcare disparities and inequities.
  • Assist with content creation for educational initiatives.
  • Support communication between the program and healthcare facilities.
  • Assist with keeping resources and guidance up to date and facilitating distribution via platforms such as statewide calls.
  • Support case ascertainment for MDROs.
  • Engage in stakeholder communication including participating in and leading focus groups.

Compensation:

Each fellow will receive a base salary of $47,496 with State of Tennessee benefits. Information on the benefits available to state employees can be found here: https://www.tn.gov/hr/employees1/benefits.html.

Eligibility:

  • Graduation from an accredited Bachelor’s or Master’s program in public health or health-related field within the last twelve (12) months and prior to the start of the Fellowship (Fall 2024)
  • Ability to operate independently and confidently within a team setting
  • Flexible, self-starting, and enthusiastic about learning new concepts
  • Proficiency with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is required

  
All questions should be directed to Casie Higginbotham, Academic Health Department Coordinator, at Casie.Higginbotham@tn.gov.