Wanted to share a "civic entrepreneurship" news story -- Jim Johnson is the founding co-director of the Management Academy for Public Health and has taught in the program every year since 1999.
http://gazette.unc.edu/archives/09aug26/file.4.html
A business plan is a formal statement of a set of business goals, the reasons why they are believed attainable, and the plan for reaching those goals.
From the Management Academy Director
This year, the Management Academy for Public Health begins its 11th year. The 54 participants represent North Carolina, Nebraska and Virginia. Upon graduation, this group will join over 1050 public health professionals who have completed the Academy, gained valuable management skills and in some cases, went on to fully implement their business plans.
This year's cohort is focused on a variety of important health issues for their communities. Through their Community Health Assessments and the MAPP process (Mobilizing Action through Planning and Partnerships), they are aware of the problems in their communities. Even though most teams are in the preliminary stages of determining their specific business plans, they have already started preparing their general ideas to develop a sustainable business plan.
The current list of topics include: Increasing vaccination rates, establishing a community health center and developing plans to address mental health services, health data analysis, occupational health, diabetes, teen pregnancy, access to primary care, substance abuse and the need for more school health nurses.
In order to develop a viable business, participants learn valuable business skills. During the on-site retreat August 3-6, the faculty spent a lot of time imparting tips related to businesses outside of public health. Frequently, Management Academy participants say "We are not a business; we are public health".
What do you think are some of the best and worst characteristics of a business organization and why do you think some participants are unwilling to accept attributes of businesses outside of public health?
This year's cohort is focused on a variety of important health issues for their communities. Through their Community Health Assessments and the MAPP process (Mobilizing Action through Planning and Partnerships), they are aware of the problems in their communities. Even though most teams are in the preliminary stages of determining their specific business plans, they have already started preparing their general ideas to develop a sustainable business plan.
The current list of topics include: Increasing vaccination rates, establishing a community health center and developing plans to address mental health services, health data analysis, occupational health, diabetes, teen pregnancy, access to primary care, substance abuse and the need for more school health nurses.
In order to develop a viable business, participants learn valuable business skills. During the on-site retreat August 3-6, the faculty spent a lot of time imparting tips related to businesses outside of public health. Frequently, Management Academy participants say "We are not a business; we are public health".
What do you think are some of the best and worst characteristics of a business organization and why do you think some participants are unwilling to accept attributes of businesses outside of public health?
A little off-topic
Over the past month, I’ve had a few experiences that don’t have much to do with public health business planning, but something to do with public health. I traveled to Greece for two weeks, spending time in the Cyclades islands of Folegandros and Santorini, and in the capital, Athens. Greece is an interesting mixture when it comes to public health:
1. They have a very good health care safety net system, paid for by the state. A couple of cab drivers told us how proud they were of their public health program. One was less enthusiastic because, although he himself, who has significant health issues, has never had a problem getting care, he “had heard that some people have some bureaucratic hassles.” He doesn’t realize the “bureaucratic hassles” we have in the states – even if you have health insurance, but especially if you do not!
2. Everyone smokes. Greece is Europe’s biggest-smoking nation: more than 40% of adults smoke. I don’t think we realize what a job we’ve done in this country to curb smoking, until you go to a nation where everywhere you turn – restaurants, stores, taxi-cabs – people are smoking. Greece is attempting to impose anti-smoking laws now – as of July 1, new laws banning smoking from hospitals, schools, and public places are going into effect. But restaurants can avoid the ban if they create smoking sections and they will also be allowed to ban non-smokers if they don’t want to have a smoking section! This is the third attempt in 10 years to curb smoking in Greece: it will be a hard habit to break.
3. Greek highways and roads are not for the timid. Greece ranks among the highest European countries in terms of road traffic accidents per kilometer traveled. Athens has done a great job of making itself more pedestrian friendly in recent years, although the narrow streets, lack of attention to speed limits, and lack of attention to parking regulations makes it difficult in places to get around on foot and it would be impossible in a wheel chair.
4. On the other hand, compared to my suburban American home I was able to walk much, much more in Greece than I am at home. Exercise came naturally and easily, built in to every day just getting from here to there. In one place we went, cars weren’t even allowed within the town limits. There’s something to the idea that “car culture” destroys the chance to live an active life.
5. When they tell you not to drink the water, don’t drink the water. They know what they’re talking about!
And, finally, the first thing I did when I got back to the states was get the flu! "Welcome Home!"
They say traveling is a great way to see your own home in a new light. It helps me to appreciate what we do well in the states, and what we could do better.
1. They have a very good health care safety net system, paid for by the state. A couple of cab drivers told us how proud they were of their public health program. One was less enthusiastic because, although he himself, who has significant health issues, has never had a problem getting care, he “had heard that some people have some bureaucratic hassles.” He doesn’t realize the “bureaucratic hassles” we have in the states – even if you have health insurance, but especially if you do not!
2. Everyone smokes. Greece is Europe’s biggest-smoking nation: more than 40% of adults smoke. I don’t think we realize what a job we’ve done in this country to curb smoking, until you go to a nation where everywhere you turn – restaurants, stores, taxi-cabs – people are smoking. Greece is attempting to impose anti-smoking laws now – as of July 1, new laws banning smoking from hospitals, schools, and public places are going into effect. But restaurants can avoid the ban if they create smoking sections and they will also be allowed to ban non-smokers if they don’t want to have a smoking section! This is the third attempt in 10 years to curb smoking in Greece: it will be a hard habit to break.
3. Greek highways and roads are not for the timid. Greece ranks among the highest European countries in terms of road traffic accidents per kilometer traveled. Athens has done a great job of making itself more pedestrian friendly in recent years, although the narrow streets, lack of attention to speed limits, and lack of attention to parking regulations makes it difficult in places to get around on foot and it would be impossible in a wheel chair.
4. On the other hand, compared to my suburban American home I was able to walk much, much more in Greece than I am at home. Exercise came naturally and easily, built in to every day just getting from here to there. In one place we went, cars weren’t even allowed within the town limits. There’s something to the idea that “car culture” destroys the chance to live an active life.
5. When they tell you not to drink the water, don’t drink the water. They know what they’re talking about!
And, finally, the first thing I did when I got back to the states was get the flu! "Welcome Home!"
They say traveling is a great way to see your own home in a new light. It helps me to appreciate what we do well in the states, and what we could do better.
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