How We Got Started

Historical Flashback:

“I am finding E-mail quite useful for on and off-campus communication, especially for communications across time zones. There is software available to triage incoming messages to keep CEO's from getting swamped. Let me know if you would like to discuss further. If you prefer not to deal with it directly, your secretary can download and print incoming messages so you can read hard copy and jot down notes for someone else to send replies.”

—Mark Oberle memo to Dean Gil Omenn on March 27, 1992

The School of Public Health (SPH) at the University of Washington has always endeavored to provide the best educational experience possible. In 1989, two important school-wide faculty meetings discussed public health practice and the importance of linking academic studies and skills with the needs of practice. SPH held an open-invitation discussion about education and training needs for public health practice. It was amazing when 92 people showed up. One year and 25 days later, NWCPHP was founded.

NWCPHP was founded by what was then the School of Public Health and Community Medicine. NWCPHP's first Director was Dr. Mark Oberle, a faculty member in both the Departments of Epidemiology and Health Services. NWCPHP received its first grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and was tasked with establishing a practice-oriented, continuing education program for public health professionals.

A survey went out to members of the practicing community almost immediately to determine what training would be the most beneficial. Their responses led to the establishment of a NWCPHP mainstay, the annual Summer Institute for Public Health Practice. The first one was held in August of 1991.

Since then, NWCPHP has provided a variety of training and evaluation activities for the public health practice community. NWCPHP has also recently begun diversifying into practice-based research in order to help determine solutions to practice challenges. NWCPHP's goal, always, is to promote excellence in public health practice.

NWCPHP Mission:

The Northwest Center for Public Health Practice (NWCPHP) promotes excellence in public health by linking academia and the practice community. As part of the University of Washington School of Public Health, NWCPHP provides training, research, and evaluation for state, local, and tribal public health in six Pacific Northwest states—Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.

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Navigation How We Got Started Dean Wahl's Message NWCPHP Directors NWCPHP Timeline then & now Annual Report Thank You	Info How We Got Started Historical Flashback: “I am finding E-mail quite useful for on and off-campus communication, especially for communications across time zones. There is software available to triage incoming messages to keep CEO's from getting swamped. Let me know if you would like to discuss further. If you prefer not to deal with it directly, your secretary can download and print incoming messages so you can read hard copy and jot down notes for someone else to send replies.” —Mark Oberle memo to Dean Gil Omenn on March 27, 1992 The School of Public Health (SPH) at the University of Washington has always endeavored to provide the best educational experience possible. In 1989, two important school-wide faculty meetings discussed public health practice and the importance of linking academic studies and skills with the needs of practice. SPH held an open-invitation discussion about education and training needs for public health practice. It was amazing when 92 people showed up. One year and 25 days later, NWCPHP was founded. NWCPHP was founded by what was then the School of Public Health and Community Medicine. NWCPHP's first Director was Dr. Mark Oberle, a faculty member in both the Departments of Epidemiology and Health Services. NWCPHP received its first grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and was tasked with establishing a practice-oriented, continuing education program for public health professionals. A survey went out to members of the practicing community almost immediately to determine what training would be the most beneficial. Their responses led to the establishment of a NWCPHP mainstay, the annual Summer Institute for Public Health Practice. The first one was held in August of 1991. Since then, NWCPHP has provided a variety of training and evaluation activities for the public health practice community. NWCPHP has also recently begun diversifying into practice-based research in order to help determine solutions to practice challenges. NWCPHP's goal, always, is to promote excellence in public health practice. NWCPHP Mission: The Northwest Center for Public Health Practice (NWCPHP) promotes excellence in public health by linking academia and the practice community. As part of the University of Washington School of Public Health, NWCPHP provides training, research, and evaluation for state, local, and tribal public health in six Pacific Northwest states—Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.

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How We Got Started