Community Health Conference
Planning Workgroup

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Community Health Conference Page

Charge

This workgroup will select the theme, format, and speakers for the Community Health Conference, and will assist Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) staff in hosting the conference.

Workgroup activities will include:

  • Review evaluation results from the previous year's Community Health Conference and modify the conference format as appropriate;
  • Select a conference theme and learning objectives;
  • Generate ideas for and giving input on the selection of the keynote and plenary speakers;
  • Review and selection of the concurrent sessions;
  • Moderate a concurrent session(s) during the conference;
  • Serve as a "goodwill ambassador" to all attendees by meeting and greeting attendees as they arrive to the conference, assisting attendees in navigating the conference site, and engaging attendees in conversation
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Background

The Community Health Conference is a long standing, annual event for Minnesota's public health community. It is attended by upwards of 350 people, and provides an opportunity for public health leadership and local elected officials, from around our state, to come together and reflect on our accomplishments; learn about emerging public health issues; and continue to strengthen our unique state-local public health partnership.

Traditionally, it is a two-day conference (all day Thursday, and half day Friday), with ancillary meetings occurring on the day before the conference (Wednesday). It is generally held in the fall at a resort in the Brainerd Lakes area. The conference format includes a keynote speaker, several plenary sessions, and 16-18 concurrent break-out sessions.

This event is designed to build skill and capacity in Minnesota's local public health system, while also providing an opportunity for "locals" to share the innovative work occurring in their communities. Networking is also a key component to the conference; conference participants consistently list "networking" as one of the things they like most about this conference.

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Methods

This workgroup will hold two in person meetings in early spring to make theme, format, general session speaker and concurrent session presenter decisions. The remainder of the workgroup's charge will be carried out via phone/webinar meetings and email communications.

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2012 Members

  • Bill Groskreutz, Chair, Faribault-Martin CHB
    (Faribault County Commissioner)
  • Kenneth Bence, Minnesota Council of Health Plans
  • David Benson, Nobles CHB (Nobles County Commissioner)
  • Cynthia Bennett, Aitkin-Itasca-Koochiching CHB
  • Tannie Eshenaur, MDH Environmental Health Division
  • Pat Faulkner, MDH Community and Family Health Division
  • Gail Gentling, MDH Office of Performance Improvement
  • José Gonzàlez, MDH Office of Minority and Multicultural Health
  • Sue Hedlund, Washington CHB
  • Kim Jeppesen, MDH Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention,
    and Control Division
  • Helene Kahlstorf North Country CHB
  • Ann Kinney, MDH Division of Health Policy
  • Larry Kittelson, Horizon CHB (Pope County Commissioner)
  • DeeAnn Pettyjohn, Dodge-Steele CHB
  • Deb Radi, MDH Office of Emergency Preparedness
  • Rosemary Schultz, Cottonwood-Jackson CHB
    (Jackson County Commissioner)
  • Stanton Shanedling, MDH Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Division
  • Christine Twait, MDH Office of Statewide Health Improvement Initiatives
  • Bev Wangerin, Meeker-McLeod-Sibley CHB
    (McLeod County Commissioner)

Conference Staff

  • Becky Buhler, Office of Performance Improvement
  • Peggy Malinowski, Office of Performance Improvement
  • Nicole Parsons, Office of Performance Improvement
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Resources

The Office of Performance Improvement is responsible for holding the conference and will provide staff support to this workgroup.

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