Become a leader in advancing your community’s health. Enroll now in this nine-week professional development opportunity to learn more about public health topics, and learn how to better shape laws, policy and programs.
Exciting health, science and tech advances are happening across Florida and the nation. These advancements are creating a steep learning curve for community leaders and locally elected officials who may bear responsibility for basic health care policy.
The Bob Graham Center and UF Health have now partnered to create the Florida Health Policy Leadership Academy, an initiative to empower communities with leaders who are knowledgeable and skilled in public health policy making. Participants will learn skills to measure and monitor population health, gain understanding of pressing issues in public health, and make enduring connections with other community leaders.
About The Instructors
The core instructors include UF faculty and have experience in developing and implementing health policy. In addition, state and national experts will teach select classes and activities. Importantly, the fellows will participate in group activities and panels that will serve as peer-teaching.
If you have any questions, please contact the Academy Director, Dr. Christopher R. Cogle, at christopher.cogle@medicine.ufl.edu, or Dr. Kevin Bird, at kevin.bird@ufl.edu.
The Florida Health Policy Leadership Academy receives additional funding from the Florida Department of Health (opens in new tab) and the Merck Foundation. (opens in new tab)
Who Should Apply
The Academy faculty are seeking current or future executives, elected officials, business leaders, policymakers, nonprofit executives, journalists, and other community leaders who have limited experience in health policy and a desire to learn more about it.
Each session of the FHPLA is focused on one region within Florida. This year, our area of focus is Volusia and Flagler counties. Previously, our cohorts have been based in and around Gainesville, North Central Florida (Marion, Lake, and Sumter), Jacksonville, and the Panhandle. Community leaders from Volusia and Flagler counties are especially encouraged to apply for this year’s cohort.
Participants will spend five hours each week in the program, comprising one hour preparing for the class by completing assigned materials and four hours of interaction with instructors.
There is no cost to participate in the Academy. Participants will receive a $1,000 stipend for professional development.
2025 Schedule
January 31, 2025 | Priority review of applications begins |
March 7, 2025 | Introduction to FHPLA, First day of Academy | In-person, UF Whitney Lab
March 14, 2025 | US Healthcare System | Zoom
March 21, 2025 | Chronic Diseases and Aging | Zoom
March 28, 2025 |Tobacco and Substance Abuse | Zoom
April 4, 2025 | Mental Health and Criminal Justice | Zoom
April 11, 2025 | Maternal and Child Health | Zoom
April 18, 2025 | Environment and Human Health | Zoom
April 25, 2025 | Fellow Presentations and Graduation | In-person, Volusia