OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Dean Paul Halverson announces a new partnership with Multnomah County on June 25 to create a new Academic Health Department.
In a first-of-its-kind collaboration set to redefine public health education and practice in the region, Multnomah County today announced its formal affiliation as the first Academic Health Department with the Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University (OHSU-PSU) School of Public Health.
“We believe this new designation with Multnomah County represents a shared commitment to public health excellence, equity and innovation,” said OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Dean Paul Halverson. “It builds a powerful bridge between education and real-life experiences, offering students hands-on opportunities to engage in the ever changing landscape and challenges of public health while supporting the vital work of the Health Department.”
Academic Health Departments are formal partnerships between county health departments and academic institutions, similar to teaching hospitals for doctors, that strengthen the connection between education and practice in public health. By fostering collaboration, this new partnership ensures that future public health professionals are equipped with both theoretical knowledge and real world application to address the pressing public health needs of their communities.
“Our new academic relationship with OHSU-PSU School of Public Health is a game-changer,” said Multnomah County Health Department Director Rachael Banks. “Academia fuels our practice, and our experience enriches their programs. By leveraging the combined expertise of our core staff and university faculty, we're building a stronger, more resilient public health and healthcare infrastructure for the future of Multnomah County.”
For PSU students, the partnership means opportunities for each student to learn in practical settings from experienced public health professionals working at Multnomah County Health Department who have devoted their life to the service to the public.
“This is not just a nice thing to do. This is really critical,” Halverson said. “We give our students terrific theoretical underpinning, but it's really important that they get good practice experience — and they'll do that in a way that will help the health department and also improve their skill base.”
The collaboration will offer a wealth of mutual benefits in teaching, research and service, strengthening both institutions and the communities they serve. Officials expect the Academic Health Department will:
- Leverage the core staff and faculty of both institutions to strengthen the region’s public health and healthcare infrastructure.
- Create a pathway of students to grow and stabilize the public health workforce.
- Provide the Health Department with student interns and residents who can contribute to today’s public health work and tomorrow’s emerging challenges.
- Enhance County staff retention and morale by providing opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
The Health Department aims to also create a pathway for its diverse staff to teach classes, allowing students to learn more about the hands-on application of public health in a local government setting. The school has asked Director Banks to inform curriculum decisions as they undergo a comprehensive review and consider enhancements.
The OHSU-PSU School of Public Health is ranked No. 22 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, placing it within the top 11% of all accredited schools of public health in the United States. OHSU-PSU School of Public Health is the only accredited school of public health in the state of Oregon.
Students will have additional opportunities to intern in the Public Health Division, and other Health Department Divisions, providing them important real-life experience practicing what they learn in the classroom.
“I think it's a great way in which we can see the extension of the commitment that PSU and OHSU has made to its community,” Halverson said. “It's not good enough to simply train highly qualified people to go out and do good things. It's really important that these educational institutions are part of the community — and we want to be part of the solution.”