State Health Leadership Initiative

The chief health official in a state's health department holds one of the most demanding positions in government, being responsible for ensuring that the public health system is effective and solid in a rapidly changing and often-tumultuous health care and political environment. To succeed, these state health officials (SHOs) need to blend their expertise in policymaking and the political system with the scientific knowledge of public health.

The State Health Leadership Initiative (SHLI), a program supported by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is designed for SHOs to become better administrators, policy makers, and protectors of the public's health. As part of a dynamic, two-year program, participants interact with several key organizations. To start, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) conducts an orientation visit with each new SHO, and oversees a mentoring program which pairs SHLI participants with an experienced colleague who serves as a mentor during the first year of his or her tenure. ASTHO also conducts two SHLI networking meetings, and maintains information about SHLI, state health officials, and national resources on www.StatePublicHealth.org.

Our part in Executive Education is a weeklong summer seminar with a curriculum designed to meet the unique needs of new state health officials, focusing on teaching participants how to develop effective leadership and communications strategies. Personalized skill-building assessment services are also provided to participants, who include the administration and interpretation of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and a 360 evaluation designed specifically for state health officials.

In addition, the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices provides overall guidance and direction to the Initiative, and administers a customized technical assistance fund available to participating SHOs.

Fifty-six state health officials have participated in the Initiative since it began in 1998. Four members of the first class continue as state health officials today. The program's faculty chair is Marty Linsky.

Please visit:ASTHO, State Public Health Information and Analysis, and National Governors Association