Network of Schools & Programs of Population and Public Health, Canada Reporting: Catherine Donovan Memorial University of Newfoundland donovanc@mun.ca Chair: Andy Papadopoulos, University of Guelph, apapadop@uoguelph.ca Secretariat: Greg Penny, CPHA, gpenny@cpha.ca

History Informal meetings since 2008 Meeting in 2010 to discuss accreditation Formal meeting, 2011 30 universities identified as providing public health relevant undergraduate and graduate programs 15 MPH programs, growing # of Bachelor Programs Core Competencies for Public Health and the Guidelines for Master’s of Public Health (MPH) Programs in Canada (The Public Health Agency of Canada, (PHAC)) Initial organizational support from PHAC and Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) CPHA provides secretariat services, participating universities pay a small annual fee

Accomplishments Annual meeting, periodic teleconferences Sustained partnerships: PHAC, Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR), National Collaborating Centres Financial support for practicums through CIHR-IPPH Sharing of tools and resources Stakeholder workshop on “Career Path of Public Health Graduates” Development funding for a project “Public Health Graduates, Where Do They Go” (PHAC)

Current Agenda Regular Forum on Public Health Education Pedagogy Innovative Curriculum Reciprocal Practicum placements Accreditation Website

Challenges Programs: Network: Applicants far exceed capacity Meeting the needs of the “Public Health System” while addressing academic standards and capacity Appropriate and funded practicums Academic capacity Resources Perceptions/understanding of MPH by formal public health employers Network: Sustainability Funding Capacity to address agenda Capacity for member participation Finding issues of common interest

Opportunities Strong partnerships Willingness to collaborate Support of CPHA, PHAC and CIHR-IPPH Student interest Growing Public Health System and community interest Potential for international collaboration: innovative educational tools, practicum opportunities Research Impact of MPH on health/public systems

Thank You