PHLOT

Tuition Awards

In-State graduate tuition-only awards are available to full-time employees from NYS local health departments (LHD)and the NYS DOH committed to pursuing graduate studies at the University at Albany Schoolof Public Health (i.e., certificate, MPH or DrPH degrees). Preference is given to LHD employees seeking their first graduate degree in public health (including certificate programs). Please note:

• Awards cover tuition only - NOT University fees
• Awards do not cover internship or practicum credits
• Preference is given to LHD employees seeking their first graduate degree in public health (including certificate programs)

Eligibility Requirements

• Full-time employee status at either a NYS LHD or the NYS DOH
  
• Accepted/enrolled in the University at Albany School of Public Health
• Certificate in Public Health Fundamentals & Principles
• Certificate in Public Health Surveillance & Preparedness
• Master of Public Health
• Doctor of Public Health
• Preference is given to LHD employees seeking their first graduate degree in public health (including certificate programs)

Application Requirements

All interested applicants must submit:

• Completed Initial Application for PHLOT Tuition Award Form (form required for first-time PHLOT registrants once only prior to funding approval)
• Documentation of tuition assistance pursued/utilized first through your employer/union, if available.
• Verification of full-time employment status (e.g., copy of ID)
• Upon confirmation of  PHLOT eligibility – students must submit the By-Semester Tuition Support Request Form prior to onset of each semester enrolled in classes

For further information regarding the PHLOT Tuition Award Program view the available Fact Sheet or contact:

Maggie Watson, Assistant Director  
Public Health Leaders of Tomorrow Program
University at Albany School of Public Health – One University Place
Rensselaer, NY 12144
518.402.0404
phlot@uamail.albany.edu

Tuition Awardee Testimonials

Internship Support & Stipends

The PHLOT program recognizes and supports the added value of practical, real world public health experience to the academic programs at the UA SPH.  The experience gained by internships is immeasurable, providing mutual benefits to students and host organizations alike.  In keeping with its central mission, PHLOT provides a number of internship stipends to students taking on selected practice-based positions each semester.  Preference is given to internships based at local health departments throughout New York State, but other practice based positions at the NYS DOH and non-profit organizations are considered and funded as well, as funds allow.

Student Eligibility for PHLOT Internship Stipends:

• Satisfactory academic achievement
• Demonstrated interest in public health service at the local or State level
• U.S. citizenship or permanent residence in NYS
• Registration of the experience for University at Albany academic credit

Value of Internship Awards for NYS DOH and Local Health Departments
Internships provide excellent opportunities for LHDs and the NYS DOH to host students who have completed a full year of graduate coursework seeking full-time six to twelve week internship positions.
Students successfully matched with an internship are eligible to receive a stipend through PHLOT at no cost to the host organization.

Potential mentors interested in hosting a student intern should contact:

Katrina L. Chamberlain, MS, MPH
Coordinator, Internship and Career Services
University at Albany School of Public Health
KChamberlain@uamail.albany.edu
518.408.2341

Internship Awardee Testimonials

CORE Student Leadership Program

The PHLOT CORE Student Leadership Program is designed to provide mentorship, intensive leadership development and additional practice-based experience to a select group of MS or MPH students committed to public health practice. Competitive admission to the program is based on academic achievement, demonstrated dedication to future employment in NYS, and overall potential for leadership in the field of public health. In addition to participation in leadership development activities, the group coordinates a year-long community service project designed to create a sustainable public health impact in the surrounding community. Participants also receive mentorship from recognized leaders in the field of public health. 

Program Benefits

• Intensive team-building and leadership development retreat held in the Adirondacks during the early part of the program which offers a forum for students to develop a bond as future leaders in the field of public health. Workshop topics include personality assessment, leadership styles, individual perspectives, taking initiative, and setting life and career goals 
• Internship Stipends for NYS DOH, LHD or NGO placements (preference given to LHD positions)
• Stipends to attend the annual APHA conference, site visits to select LHDs and other relevant seminars as assigned
• Books and materials for completion of CORE program assignments
• Recognition as a competitively selected PHLOT CORE participant

Participation Requirements

The CORE program begins mid-Spring semester of the students’ first academic year and concludes upon successful completion of degree and graduation in May of the following year.  Each program component is designed to cultivate personal and professional growth in the areas of leadership, teamwork, interpersonal communication, academic achievement and success among students dedicated to serving in the public health practice arena.  Participants will be required to meet the following requirements:

• MPH students are strongly encouraged to complete a minimum of six internship credits at either an LHD or DOH (minimum of three should be served at an LHD)
• MS students must complete three field placement credits within an LHD or DOH
• All students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30
• All students must attend CORE Fall Semester weekend retreat (dates will be provided well in advance)
• Participate in weekly CORE seminars involving assigned readings, guest lectures, and teamwork & leadership exercises
• Attend all site visits to LHDs and other field trips as identified
• Participate as an active, contributing member in the community service project identified and organized by the PHLOT CORE team
• Meet with assigned mentor during scheduled events and take advantage as much as possible of their expertise and experience throughout the year
• Serve as an active leader within the UA SPH by attending important events (e.g., Public Health Week activities, Convocation, Graduation, GSO sponsored events)

Eligibility & Selection

First-year MPH and MS students with U.S. citizenship or permanent residence status are eligible to apply.  Candidate selection is based on, but not limited to the following criteria:

• Dedication to working in New York State government, particularly within an LHD
• Cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher 
• Support of at least one UA SPH faculty member
• Demonstrated leadership qualities (e.g., positive interpersonal interactions with SPH faculty, staff and peers; active participation in school activities and/or community service projects; and professional promise)

Application Process

Interested students will be required to submit a completed PHLOT CORE Application upon release in Spring semester, resume, and letter or recommendations from two references (one of whom must be a UA SPH faculty member).

For further information regarding the CORE Student Leadership Program, please contact:

Maggie Watson, Assistant Director 
Public Health Leaders of Tomorrow Program
University at Albany School of Public Health – One University Place
Rensselaer, NY 12144
518.402.0404
phlot@uamail.albany.edu

PHLOT CORE Alumni Testimonials

Local Health Department Leadership Development Support

PHLOT awards a limited number of scholarships to current LHD employees selected to participate in the Northeast Regional Public Health Leadership Institute (NEPHLI).  NEPHLI is a year-long experiential program which builds and enhances leadership skills of current and future public health practitioners. Through three retreats, distance learning and networking opportunities, NEPHLI provides Scholars with opportunities to gain practical experience from experts in the fields of leadership, public health and risk communications. Scholars learn to assess their own leadership styles and develop personal plans for improvement. Out of the 26 NYS public health professionals who have received PHLOT scholarships to attend NEPHLI through 2009, 13 from 8 different local health departments attended.

For more information about NEPLHI or available scholarships, please contact Dwight Williams 518.402.0370 or visit the NEPHLI site:  http://www.albany.edu/sph/nephli/index.html

Management Training Institute (MTI) To improve the management skills of ten recently appointed public health commissioners, directors, deputies and other key members of local health department (LHD) leadership teams, PHLOT sponsored the Pilot Management Training Institute (MTI) in 2009-10. MTI was developed for ten participants from nine different LHDs to:

• assess their relative strengths and weaknesses as a senior manager in their current role; (their strengths and weaknesses correspond to leadership and management skills as well as public health subject matter content)
• establish development goals tailored to their individual needs that are actionable over the course of the program
• integrate lecture, discussion and readings into their daily management roles
• attempt new behaviors consistent with development goals and, with faculty and cohort members, assess effectiveness
• use new public health subject matter content in their communications with organizations and constituencies.

Webinars, mentoring and coaching was incorporated into the curriculum to facilitate the learning process. Mentors and coaches included active and retired public health officials. 

PHLOT Local Health Department (LHD) Testimonials

Dwight C. Williams
Director, NEPHLI

Since 2008, PHLOT funding has provided scholarships for eleven county health department managers and three DrPH students to complete the Northeast Public Health Institute (NEPHLI) experience.  Without PHLOT support, these 14 emerging public health leaders would not have had opportunities to participate in NEPHLI's year-long, experiential training program. NEPHLI provides leadership development to public health practitioners in eight states: Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Most recently, with the assistance of PHLOT resources, NEPHLI created the Management Training Institute (MTI) to provide management training to ten rising local public health leaders.  When MTI began in 2009, seven of the 10 participants had been in their managerial positions for less than two years.

Whereas NEPHLI's curricula is designed to improve leadership competencies based on the Ten Essential Public Health Services, the MTI focus is to improve management, supervisory and communication skills; expand knowledge base of public health law and ethics; and enhance their ability to craft organizational vision to manage in uncertain times.

Mary Fran Wachunas
Rensselaer County Public Health Director

The Public Health Leaders of Tomorrow Program (PHLOT) since it was founded in 2006 has provided the Rensselaer County Department of Health (RCDOH) a wealth of resources.  Since the creation of the program the RCDOH has been able to accept MPH students for internships.  These internships really have contributed to the overall success of this local health department.  The MPH students that we have had have learned a wealth of knowledge on the basis of local public health by being exposed to every division.  Their specific projects have included help with particular New York State grant funded deliverables in our emergency preparedness program, researching and developing community health assessments, creating new environmental policies and procedures, developing epidemiology just-in-time training and exploring new ways for public health education in the community.  They have also experienced various other public health issues that have transpired during their internship that they were able to contribute.  PHLOT has also been an important resource in providing RCDOH staff the opportunity to enroll in certificate programs to increase their skills in public health.