In working to improve the lives of women, children and families, leadership is an essential role in maternal and child health (MCH) programs. It is leaders who have a vision, take initiative, influence people, solve problems, take responsibility – who make things happen. And, whether or not they have a formal title, everyone is engaged in the process of leadership. Likewise, everyone can develop their leadership effectiveness.
AMCHP’s efforts to strengthen the capacity of the MCH community to engage in the leadership process recognize that leadership development is a process, not an event. The Leading in Changing Times Series is an initiative launched by AMCHP as part of their larger efforts to support a diverse, effective and competent workforce in state and territorial MCH programs. The Leading in Changing Times Series is a year-long, three-part series of webinars blending principles of key leadership theory with real-world stories from senior-level MCH leaders. These 45 minutes leadership “conversations” are designed to share leadership ideas and inspiration.
Target Audience
In a rapidly changing environment, full of shifting workforce demographics (diverse workforce, multi-generation workforce, retirements), budget cuts, hiring freezes, MCH programs need to spread leadership broad and deep. The target audience for this series is both aspiring MCH leaders and those who currently hold leadership positions in MCH programs.
The first conversation of this series was held on Wednesday, September 18th at 3:15 pm ET titled Great Leaders are Great Decision-Makers: The Importance of Decisiveness. Karen Trierweiler, Director, Programs and Services, Prevention Services for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment provided an overview of the key concept, leadership and decision-making, followed by her personal experience in establishing priorities to commit to a course of action in her state.
After viewing this event, participants will be able to:
Part 1 Materials
The second conversation of this series was held on Wednesday, January 15th at 1:30 pm ET titled, Leading Change: The Challenge of Change. Valerie Ricker, Assistant Director for the Population Health Division at the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention has over 30 years of MCH experience and currently serves on AMCHP’s board as the Secretary. Ms. Ricker provided an overview of the key concept, leadership and change, followed by her personal experience in combining MCH with other programs into one department, as Maine has undergone a lot of change in recent years.
After viewing this event, participants will be able to:
Part 2 Materials
Part 3 of this series titled, Leaders with a Vision: The Ability to See Beyond the Present, Stephanie Wrightsman-Birch, Section Chief of Women’s, Children’s and Family Health as well as the Title V for Alaska’s Department of Health and Social Services has over 30 years of MCH experience and currently serves on AMCHP’s board as the Past President. Ms. Wrightsman-Birch provided an overview of the key concept, leadership and vision, followed by her personal experience in re-building the MCH program after it was disbanded in a reorganization of her Department.
After viewing this event, participants will be able to:
Part 3 Materials