Category: News

During National Immunization Awareness Month, IPHI’s Senior Program Manager discusses the drop in kindergarten immunization rates in a WDBJ7 interview.

People have been afraid of vaccines or had concerns and questions since the very first vaccine for smallpox was invented. But in turn, those questions, those doubts and their skepticisms have led us to have a really robust and rigorous safety monitoring program for vaccines.

Watch the full interview: Immunization Rates for Virginia Kindergartenders Still Lower Than Pre-Pandemic Levels

In an interview with the Intersection Magazine, IPHI’s Program Associate Heaven Jordan discusses innovative strategies to tackle food waste and support local communities in Prince George’s County.

The Prince George’s Food Equity Council hasn’t always done the job that it is doing now (connecting communities to organizations that provide them with food). Heaven Jordan, the program associate at The Prince George’s County Equity Council, said initially the organization was focused on policy. But when the Covid-19 pandemic storm slowly infected people – causing death, businesses to shut down in the county, and increasing poverty– they jumped in, helping other communities provide healthy food options to residents living in food-insecure neighborhoods.

Read the full interview: Redirecting Food Waste in Prince George’s County

IPHI’s Senior Evaluation Manager co-wrote an article in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice.

Local health departments (LHDs) use data with the intent to understand the issues and trends impacting the health of their community members. Accordingly, many LHDs rely on secondary data to inform their work. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the public health data infrastructure’s unmet needs became even more pronounced with duplicative and competing dashboards, fractured data systems, and limited local data analytic capacity. To better understand LHDs’ data needs, the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) hosted a two-hour workshop with about 50 public health practitioners in July 2022. The workshop used a user-centered design approach with participants….

Read the full article: Meeting Local Health Departments’ Data Capacity Needs: Opportunities for Secondary Data Source Providers

IPHI’s Program Associate Heaven Jordan speaks on behalf of the Prince George’s County Food Equity Council (PGC FEC) in support of the Healthy Restaurants Program.

Read the full article: Prince George’s County Passes Bill to Bolster Healthy Restaurants

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 30, 2023
For More Information, Contact:

Institute for Public Health Innovation
Communications Director Taya Jarman, APR
[email protected]

Washington Gas
Strategic Communications Director Andre Francis
[email protected]

Two refrigerated trailers will increase food storage capacity, reduce food waste, and support sustainable infrastructure to respond to food system disruptions.  

Prince George’s County, MD — On Friday, June 30, the Prince George’s County Food Equity Council (FEC), an Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI) initiative, and Washington Gas introduced two new cold storage trailers in Calverton and Laurel, MD. The partnership purchased, upgraded, and designed a wrap for the refrigerated trailers that will enable food assistance providers and food pantries to distribute more fresh food to residents in need.

This project builds on the success of a similar project and partnership that, via funding from Washington Gas, brought three trailers to county-based non-profit organizations in 2021. Seeing the impact and success of this work, Washington Gas was eager to continue these important investments.

“We applaud our partners at the Prince George’s County Food Council for their innovative approach of adding cold food storage capacity to better meet the critical needs of our community,” said Blue Jenkins, President of Washington Gas. “We began this partnership in 2021 because of the on-going food insecurity needs throughout the region and found it fitting to continue being a part of such a spectacular initiative. We are proud to be a part of the solution, along with other funders, non-profit partners, and local and state governments.”

At least four neighboring organizations will share the two new 48-foot trailers. Participating organizations will work together to purchase perishable foods like fruits, vegetables, and dairy stored in the shared refrigerated space. The trailers create an opportunity to distribute fresh and healthy food to underserved and vulnerable families. The new space helps increase the amount of food that can be stored and distributed while reducing the amount of perishable food wasted due to insufficient cold storage space. 

“In addition to addressing the growing trend of food insecurity, this project serves as a proof of concept for future innovative food system infrastructure projects,” said IPHI President and CEO Michael Rhein. The two non-profit partners consider the project a way to strengthen their capabilities and build a better safety-net system for local clients. Rhein added, “We will continue to work with partners to share best practices, develop additional cold storage solutions, and increase the distribution of healthy, fresh food in Prince George’s County.”

Although food insecurity skyrocketed three years ago when the pandemic started, county residents are still struggling. Fluctuating food prices and cuts to pandemic-era emergency allotment have continued to strain food pantries throughout the county. Food pantries are distributing more food and serving more clients than prior to the pandemic, which calls for more food and infrastructure to distribute food. 

Washington Gas will continue its support of the immediate and long-term food security needs, part of the company’s wider giving strategy supporting social service organizations throughout the region. Funding for this project went towards purchasing and upgrading the two trailers at Kingdom Fellowship AME Church and the Tabernacle Church of Laurel. Funding was also used to hire Whitney Frazier of WGF Studio, a local artist who designed and painted the outside of the trailers. 

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About the Prince George’s County Food Equity Council: 

The Prince George’s County Food Equity Council (FEC) is a local food policy council that works to help residents grow, sell, and choose healthy foods. Since 2013, FEC has been a voice for county residents at the policymaking table. The FEC focuses on systematic and sustainable changes to promote health, economic opportunity, food security, and well-being in Prince George’s by advocating for policy that creates a more equitable local food system. The FEC is housed within the Institute for Public Health Innovation. For more information on FEC, visit www.pgcfec.org and follow FEC on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook | @pgcfec. 

About Washington Gas

Washington Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of AltaGas Ltd [TSX:ALA], is a regulated natural gas utility that provides safe, reliable natural gas service to more than 1.2 million customers in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. The company has been providing energy to residential, commercial and industrial customers for almost 175 years. Learn more at www.washingtongas.com. Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

About Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI)

IPHI develops multi-sector partnerships and innovative solutions to improve the public’s health and well-being across the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. IPHI’s work strengthens health systems and policy, enhances conditions that promote health, and builds community capacity to ensure equitable health opportunities. Nationally, IPHI is one of over 40 public health institutes and a member of the National Network of Public Health Institutes. For more information about IPHI, visit: www.institutephi.org and follow IPHI on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram | @InstitutePHI.

The American Academy of Nursing (Academy) celebrates its 50th anniversary by inducting 253 distinguished nurse leaders into the 2023 Class of Fellows.

These accomplished individuals represent 40 states, the District of Columbia, and 13 countries, showcasing the broad impact of nursing across various roles and settings. Among the esteemed Fellows is Senior Director Carolyn Padovano, PhD, RN, FAAN, recognized as a District of Columbia Fellow. This prestigious acknowledgment highlights Carolyn’s significant contributions to nursing and healthcare, reflecting her commitment to driving positive change.

The induction ceremony will take place during the Academy’s annual Health Policy Conference, scheduled for October 5–7, 2023, in Washington, DC. The conference theme, “Celebrating 50 Years of Leadership, Policy, and Partnership,” sets the stage for recognizing the remarkable impact of these Fellows on health and healthcare.

To learn more about the accomplished 2023 Class of Fellows, please refer to the official press release: American Academy of Nursing Announces the 2023 Class of New Fellows

In the fall of 2002, I woke up in my Christopher Newport University dorm with blinding pain in my temples. The pain was so acute that it caused partial vision loss. I visited four doctors within a week to determine why I had excruciating headaches and had to hold my temples to look out of my periphery.   

My parents joined me an hour from home for a series of tests, including an MRI. While we waited days for the results, I was alone at school navigating coursework and debilitating discomfort. Frightened and anxious, I braced myself for the diagnosis. Short-term: optical neuritis. Long-term: multiple sclerosis.  

I was 20 years old. No cure. Possibly a lifetime disability.  

In simple terms, MS is a chronic and unpredictable disease that affects the central nervous system. It can cause a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, vision problems, and difficulty with coordination and balance.  

From personal experience, it can also cause a wide range of fears before and after diagnosis.   

After hearing the news, my dreams and inspirations of building a family and career were replaced with visions of disability and mobility challenges. But shortly afterward, my vision returned, and I started a treatment program with a local neurologist. I’m grateful that my nightmares never came true. Twenty years after my diagnosis, I’m a wife, mom to two young boys, a successful public relations professional, and recently completed a 10k.  

I’m proof that early detection and treatment are keys to living a full and fantastic life, even with MS.  

Today, I am committed to raising awareness about MS and helping to find a cure. It’s important that people know the warning signs of MS and understand that a diagnosis doesn’t define them. I’m privileged that I can bridge my personal and professional passions as a public health communicator. I’m committed to reducing health disparities to raise awareness about a disease that’s affected my life.  

Here are some common symptoms you should know about MS: fatigue, numbness and tingling, loss of balance, stiffness or spasms, tremors, bladder problems, bowel troubles, and vision issues. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to a doctor. If you don’t have insurance, please seek out a free clinic or a federally qualified health center.  

Unfortunately, some  people don’t have access to health resources or ignore MS warning signs, especially in rural communities. My colleagues and I at the Institute for Public Health Innovation, a nonprofit that develops multi-sector partnerships and innovative solutions to improve the public’s health, are working to change that. 

Our three-year project funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation is improving access to diagnostic and support resources for rural populations with MS in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina. This work includes educating and training non-specialty providers about MS symptoms and increasing public awareness about MS and its treatment options. We’re meeting people where they are as we participate in local community events. We’re also partnering with established programs like mobile health units. 

According to research, people with MS are at a higher risk of developing mental health symptoms like depression and anxiety and face higher unemployment rates. But when people are diagnosed early, they can take medications to slow the progression and manage symptoms. In addition, people living with MS report higher satisfaction when they are treated by a specialist familiar with MS and are more likely to be offered a disease-modifying therapist.  

Our efforts are helping more people in rural communities understand MS and access treatment. As awareness spreads, I’m hopeful more individuals – no matter where they live – will advocate for themselves, get screened, and seek treatment.  

Taya Jarman, APR is the communications director at IPHI. She can be reached at [email protected].

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This op-ed was also reported by:

• Daily Press

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 24, 2023
For More Information, Contact:
Communications Director Taya Jarman, APR
202-747-3541       [email protected]

Largo, MD — The Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI) is pleased to announce that its Community Health Worker (CHW) Core Skills Training Program is accredited by the Maryland Department of Health. The CHW training program increases access to care, improves public health emergency response, and addresses under-resourced communities’ unmet needs by enhancing CHWs’ skills and knowledge. CHWs are frontline public health workers who are trusted members of their communities. Through shared experiences of race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, or other attributes, CHWs work to connect individuals and families to essential health and social resources.

IPHI completed a rigorous review process that validated its long-standing training program and outlined training objectives. The CHW Core Skills Training Program was approved by Maryland Secretary of Health Laura Herrera Scott, MD, MPH and Maryland Department of Health Office of Population Health Improvement Director Kimberly Hiner. The training program was also vetted by The Maryland CHW Training Accreditation Program Review Committee. This designation is effective for three years.

“This achievement reflects the dedication and hard work of our team in developing and refining a top-notch comprehensive training program over the past 12 years,” said IPHI President and CEO Michael E. Rhein. “First and foremost, we have always followed best practices in adult learning and listened to our trainees regarding what’s most effective in helping them learn and prepare for the CHW profession.” The Maryland Department of Health accreditation is the second IPHI accreditation. IPHI was first accredited by the Virginia Department of Health in 2022. Since 2011, IPHI has trained 1,150 CHWs, mostly CHWs living and working throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.

Dwyan Monroe, IPHI Program Coordinator said, “We are committed to training and empowering the next generation of community health workers.” The CHW Core Skills Training Program is just one of the many initiatives IPHI has undertaken to build a healthier and more resilient community. Monroe added, “We are assured that this designation will further validate our training program. Trained CHWs will improve confidence when hiring and integrating CHWs in local organizations. This will improve health outcomes in the community, which is a win for our region.”

For more information on IPHI’s latest focus areas, services, and initiatives, visit www.institutephi.org.

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About Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI)

IPHI develops multi-sector partnerships and innovative solutions to improve the public’s health and well-being across the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. IPHI’s work strengthens health systems and policy, enhances conditions that promote health, and builds community capacity to ensure equitable health opportunities. Nationally, IPHI is one of over 40 public health institutes and a member of the National Network of Public Health Institutes. For more information about IPHI, visit: www.institutephi.org and follow IPHI on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram | @InstitutePHI.

Last November, I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. By his 4-month checkup, he had received vaccines to protect him from six diseases. By this time next year, he’ll have immunity from 14 preventable diseases.

As a new mom and a leader with ImmunizeVA, both are personal and professional priorities for me. ImmunizeVA is a statewide coalition of medical and public health professionals dedicated to raising awareness about the safety of vaccines and immunizations.

April 24-30 is National Infant Immunization Week, a national observance highlighting the importance of protecting children two years and younger from vaccine-preventable diseases. It’s the perfect time to talk about why on-time vaccinations are critical in the fight against potentially life-threatening diseases.

Vaccinations can be scary. But what I find scarier is the thought of my son suffering from the long-term effects of a disease that could have been prevented. I have peace of mind knowing that my son will have the best chance of being protected from a preventable illness. Vaccines are safe and proven to prevent severe illness and death.

The good news is, Virginians are doing a commendable job of getting their COVID-19 vaccine. According to the Virginia Department of Health, about 74% of the population is fully vaccinated with two doses.

When it comes to keeping our kids healthy, we have work to do though. We are noticing downward trends in overall vaccination rates, from COVID-19 to more common vaccines like Tetanus and Hepatitis A and B.

The truth is vaccines help prevent potentially fatal or severe illnesses like measles, mumps, polio and others. They’re really important. In my line of work, I have spoken with survivors of polio. I was particularly struck by hearing a woman describe the experience of seeing her father cry for the first time and understanding it was because he thought she would die. The polio vaccine was considered a miracle. The COVID-19 pandemic reminded us of what it is like to live without the protection of a vaccine.

Every year, the Virginia Department of Health fields an immunization survey to measure compliance with school-required vaccinations. Before the pandemic, Virginia was tracking well, with a school entry vaccination rate of 96.3% in 2018. During the early part of the pandemic in fall 2021, immunization rates dropped to 88.6%. Today, immunization rates are at 89.4%, leaving an estimated 9,500 Virginia kids without protection again measles and other diseases. It’s not hard to see that we have some work to do.

These are not viruses we want in our classrooms or homes, and the decrease in vaccinations has consequences. If everyone is vaccinated, community immunity protects vulnerable members of society who are too old or too sick to get vaccinated. On the other hand, if vaccination rates decline below levels required to maintain community immunity, diseases pass more easily from person to person, and dangerous outbreaks of preventable diseases could follow.

We know pandemic-era disruptions could be the cause of the decreases we’re seeing, in addition to misinformation about vaccines. I understand that researching vaccine information can be overwhelming. I’m not a doctor or a pediatrician. I’m just a mom who wants to see her son grow up in world that’s safe to live and play for many years.

Please talk to pediatricians or trusted healthcare professionals to get the facts. If your child hasn’t been to the doctor during the pandemic and is behind on immunizations, please call a doctor, free clinic or federally qualified health center today. Most vaccines are free with Medicaid and other insurance plans.

Let’s continue to talk about the importance and effectiveness of vaccines with our friends and families. Simple, everyday conversations can help more people feel comfortable and confident to get fully immunized. Together, we can help ensure everyone is healthy in Virginia.

Rebecca Epstein is senior program manager at ImmunizeVA. She can be reached at [email protected].

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This op-ed was also reported by:

• Richmond Times Dispatch
• Roanoke Times

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 3, 2023
For More Information, Contact:
Communications Director Taya Jarman, APR
202-747-3541       [email protected]

Washington, DC — As leaders across the country recognize the importance of public health programs during National Public Health Week (NPHW) on April 3-9, the Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI) is using the observance to highlight the critical work of community health workers (CHWs) to advance health outcomes in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. IPHI – a nonprofit that develops multi-sector partnerships and innovative solutions to improve the public’s health and well-being partners with CHWs to ensure equitable health outcomes in the region.

CHWs are frontline public health workers who are trusted members of their communities. Through shared experiences of race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, health conditions, or other attributes, CHWs work to connect individuals in need of support to healthcare resources. “This week is a great time to recognize our great partners and critical public health ambassadors,” said Michael E. Rhein, IPHI President and CEO. “Community health workers are improving health outcomes and reducing health inequities by working with our communities and helping members one-on-one take charge of their health and navigate resources to help them thrive.”

Studies show that CHWs help reduce barriers to healthcare, improve health knowledge and chronic disease management, and reduce overall medical costs. IPHI estimates there are approximately 300 certified CHWs in the region, and many working towards certification. The CHWs work at healthcare institutions, community housing, and nonprofits that help connect community members with local resources.

IPHI maintains various CHW programs focused on providing training, continuing education opportunities, financial support, and mentorships.

• Its Community Health Worker Academy is a training institute dedicated to expanding the public health workforce in the District of Columbia, South Maryland, and Northern Virginia.
• IPHI worked with community partners to create the Community Health Worker Registry, an online hub to connect Virginia’s CHW workforce and share educational and networking opportunities.
• IPHI also manages a $4.3 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to expand the roles and capacity of CHWs in Virginia and support COVID-19 response and recovery. The CHWs for a Healthy VA program is exploring innovative financing strategies to help build and sustain the CHW workforce long-term.

Rhein added, “These programs are critical in ensuring community members have access and resources. This is a necessary step to achieving equitable health opportunities for all.”

For more information on IPHI’s latest focus areas, services, and initiatives, visit www.institutephi.org.

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About Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI)

IPHI develops multi-sector partnerships and innovative solutions to improve the public’s health and well-being across the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. IPHI’s work strengthens health systems and policy, enhances conditions that promote health, and builds community capacity to ensure equitable health opportunities. Nationally, IPHI is one of over 40 public health institutes and a member of the National Network of Public Health Institutes. For more information about IPHI, visit: www.institutephi.org and follow IPHI on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram | @InstitutePHI.