TPHA's Annual Conference was an Overwhelming Success

This year’s Tennessee Public Health Association’s annual conference was held in-person at the Embassy Suits in Murfreesboro from September 28th-30th, 2022.  Public health professionals from throughout Tennessee and beyond came together for the first time in almost three years to hear experts discuss topics in support of the conference theme, “Moving Public Health Forward: Reset, Restore, Refocus."  A strong connecting theme throughout the three-day event was the need for effective communication skills especially since the need for public health experts to share their knowledge for the good of our communities has never been greater. 

Dr. Jerome Adams and Dr. Daniel Martin

The keynote presentation given by Dr. Jerome Adams, former US Surgeon General in the Trump Administration, addressed the social determinants of health and health inequities including ways we can alleviate these inequities as public health professionals in the state of Tennessee during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Of particular note was Dr. Adams' experiences promoting sound and effective public health practice in obstructive and divisive political environments.

 Dr. Daniel Martin, the principal creator of Mindfulness-Dialogue, spoke as Thursday's plenary speaker on the topic of radical restoration during which he shared many provocative thoughts including: 1) health is not the absence of illness or pain nor is it constant joy and peace. It is being in right relationship with life: with self, others and the world, and that is very difficult to achieve given today's pervasive divisiveness; 2) if you don't have things right in your life, you will be overwhelmed, perhaps heroic but not wise or healthy; and 3) the public's health suffers if it is being delivered by those who are not in right relationship with life: their own, others and the world. Known for his ability to transform hope into practical solutions, Dr. Martin focused the second half of his presentation on what he calls a radical restoration process, which we can use to make ourselves whole again.

 Additional Conference Information

Also on Thursday, Dr. Morgan McDonald, Tennessee's Health Commissioner, addressed the audience in her talk entitled "Swinging the Pendulum for Public Health”. The 2022 TPHA was concluded with a panel discussion in which Dr. Marian Levy, Dr. Paul Petersen, and Dr. Paula Masters discussed the topic of "Moving Public Health Forward" and answered questions from the audience. 

 In summary, 483 conference registrants got to choose to attend any of the 23 workshops offered over the three day event, talk with presenters of 38 posters on display as well as hear presentations of the top 5, visit the 17 conference exhibitor booths, and attend the President's Reception during which annual awards were announced.  Conference participants had the opportunity to network and get to know one another better in a relaxed in-person social setting.  The Silent Auction raised more than $5,000 for Tennessee Public Health Foundation's Scholarship Fund.   We thank the Tennessee Department of Health, all of our sponsors, exhibitors, silent auction donors (and bidders!), and Conference Program Chair Sarah Boop and our volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this event a great success!   Thank you to all for attending and don't forget to put next year's conference, which will be held at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in Murfreesboro on September 20 - 22, on your calendar!

Read More about Dr. Adams
 

Why is Public Health Important?

Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private communities and individuals." - CEA Winslow

Public health is the science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities. This work is achieved by promoting healthy lifestyles, researching disease and injury prevention, and detecting, preventing and responding to infectious diseases.  Overall, public health is concerned with protecting the health of entire populations. These populations can be as small as a local neighborhood, or as big as an entire country or region of the world. 

Public health professionals try to prevent problems from happening or recurring through implementing educational programs, recommending policies, administering services and conducting research—in contrast to clinical professionals like doctors and nurses, who focus primarily on treating individuals after they become sick or injured. Public health also works to limit health disparities. A large part of public health is promoting healthcare equity, quality and accessibility.

Be Part of the Solution! 

TPHA is the official professional organization for those engaged or interested in public health services and is endorsed by the administration of the Tennessee Department of Health. In an effort to maintain high standards of quality in all aspects of public health, TPHA offers opportunities for health professionals representing diverse service areas to learn and share ideas throughout the calendar year. Continuing education credit is available for most public health designations.  

TPHA will be hosting a series of networking events beginning in January 2022.   For more information and to sign up to attend, go to Networking Events for an event close to you.

COVID-19 Video Updates Sponsored by ETSU

The Southeast Region has had the benefit of information and guidance from Dr. Randy Wykoff, dean of the College of Public Health at East Tennessee State University, throughout the pandemic.  Stay informed by viewing his COVID-19 video updates Weekly Pandemic Updates here.

 

Membership has its Benefits

People hearing presentationMembership in the Tennessee Public Health Association is far more than attending an annual conference at a discounted rate.  Membership includes working together with like-minded professionals on committees, in professional sections and community volunteer efforts to make Tennessee a healthier and safer place for residents and visitors to live, work and play.  Benefits include professional growth and development, access to resources and events, leadership and skill building, networking and job searching, peer support, internships and mentoring programs and advocacy.  Continue reading to learn more about Member Benefits

 

Join Today

TPHA's Policy Agenda

Members meeting with LegislatorsTPHA is the Voice of Public Health in Tennessee.  Whether working to expand the role of its professionals, advance the practice of public health or promote racial, ethnic and gender diversity and inclusion, TPHA members effect change in these areas and more through policy and systems change and by taking a position for or against legislation on the local and state levels.

 

 

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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder | FASD United


 FASD United works to prevent prenatal exposure to alcohol, drugs, and other substances known to harm fetal development by raising awareness and providing support to women and their partners before and during pregnancy. During their prenatal development, heavy or binge drinking poses the greatest threat of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), and each year in the United States, about 180,000 newborns are exposed to this danger. Education about the dangers of alcohol consumption during pregnancy need a higher priority in terms of public health, and the medical and mental health care systems require more urgency in regards to serving all families who are in need. 

 Individuals and families coping with FASD can receive assistance from FASD United in the form of referrals, advocacy, training, information distribution, and a broad variety of other diverse activities and services. FASD United educates the general public, medical professionals, and policymakers about the dangers of exposing an unborn child to alcohol, drugs, and other substances that are known to harm fetal development. These substances include tobacco, marijuana, heroin and other opioids, cocaine, and methamphetamine. FASD United also acknowledges that these substances are frequently used together. With that said, substance abuse is a chronic, progressive condition that can be effectively treated. The treatment is effective, reduces costs, and stops FASD from occurring in the future. When birth moms are singled out for blame and punishment, it only serves to deepen the dilemma and the general lack of understanding surrounding it. For more information regarding Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, go to https://fasdunited.org/ .

2022 Midterm Election | November 8, 2022

This year's midterm elections have a great deal of significance attached to them! Find out when the polls in your state will be open here.  https://sos.tn.gov/elections/candidate-lists

             Information Regarding Voters' Registration : Voters have the ability to review their registration information, view information regarding early voting and Election Day, and locate their polling place https://tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup/

             Locate the county election commissioner in your area here.  https://tnsos.org/elections/election_commissions.php?County=&Submit=Click+to+Find+Commission

             Upcoming Election Information: View information for voters regarding the state and federal general elections that will take place on November 8, 2022. This information includes qualified candidate lists, dates for voting, requirements for identification, and more.  https://sos.tn.gov/elections/services/november-8-election-information


Instagram | New Social Media Page

A deeper dive into Public Health through images

 The Tennessee Public Health Association is excited to announce the launch of a brand new social media page, which will allow us to provide an even higher level of service to our members. Follow us on for further information on anything and everything concerning public health and more, follow us on Instagram @tnpublichealth_!