LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 20, 2009) – The University of Kentucky College of Public Health’s Office of Workforce Development has had one of its programs recognized on the national level. The Kentucky Public Health Leadership Institute (KPHLI) project, entitled Operation Headed Home, garnered national acclaim when it was selected as the winner of the prestigious Balderson Leadership Award.

Given each year by the National Public Health Leadership Development Network (NLN), the award recognizes individuals and teams participating in public health leadership institutes nationwide. The award was created in honor of Tom Balderson, who was instrumental in the creation of an extensive network of state, regional, and national public health leadership institutes. In total, seventeen projects were submitted this year by various institutes. A committee of representatives judged the project on its quality, impact on the public health infrastructure and team members’ leadership development skills. This is the second consecutive year KPHLI has won the national award.

KPHLI Fellows Heath Dolen, Elizabeth McKune, and Ava Wright, along with their mentor Scott LaJoie, were selected for their project, which raises awareness of the public health effects and responses of soldiers returning home from duty with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The project provides information, resources and support for family members of soldiers suffering from TBI as they transition home. This was truly a grassroots effort, in that it identified stakeholders, built collaborative relationships, assessed needs, and produced useful products. Having the opportunity to provide a service to the men and women who have served our country was an honor for each project team member. The project team is also partnering with the Mid-Atlantic Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) to host a conference to address the needs of returning soldiers with brain injuries in Kentucky.

"Recognition at the national level reflects both the high level of scholarship and the utility of the KPHLI Change Master projects that distinguish Kentucky's Public Health Leadership Institute," said Cynthia D. Lamberth, director of KPHLI and associate dean in the UK College of Public Health. "We're very proud of the work this team has done and we join them in celebrating their accomplishments."

The team will present their project accomplishments and findings to a national audience during a NLN sponsored webinar session for their members, Public Health Leadership Society (PHLS) members and current and past fellows/scholars of all public health leadership institutes nationwide.

KPHLI has now been recognized with a Balderson Award nine times, which is more than any other institute.

“It is truly an honor to have been recognized with this top award. The quality of work that comes out of KPHLI is a remarkable testament to our staff and Fellows. They represent our program, college, and state well. I am glad that they have the opportunity to share their work with a national audience,” said Dr. F. Douglas Scutchfield, principal investigator on the KPHLI grant, which is funded by the Kentucky Department for Public Health.

KPHLI is a yearlong development program for practitioners in the field of public health. Scholars who complete the KPHLI experience are awarded a Certificate in Public Health Leadership from the UK College of Public Health. KPHLI's mission is to strengthen the public health system in the Commonwealth by improving the skills of the professionals who administer state, regional, and local public health systems.

For more information, please contact Erin Louis, program manager for KPHLI, via e-mail Erin.Louis@uky.edu.