Class Meets:
Wednesday 1-3:50
L28-2201
Ed 2 South
HSMP 6606: Public Health Administration
SYLLABUS
Fall 2011
Course Director:
Sara E. Miller, MPA
Phone: 303-910-4682
Office Hours: by appointment
e-mail: sara.e.miller@ucdenver.edu
University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus
PURPOSE:
This Public Health Administration course provides a comprehensive introduction to public
health management and administration. In public health, administration and management of
the wide types of organizations, such as nonprofit organizations, voluntary associations, rural
health networks, and county and state health departments is a complex undertaking. Public
organizations operate in a much more politicized environment than do private organizations,
with multiple constituencies and interests groups seeking to influence the organization’s
activities. The various components of this course aim to stimulate interactions around important
problems and issues facing public health administrators.
CLASS STRUCTURE:
The content for this course is provided in the specific readings and other resources identified on
blackboard. The texts, with a comprehensive bibliography, simultaneously introduces the
participant to the class components and to the recognized experts for some of these components.
Students are expected to have read the assigned materials in advance of the class session in order
to participate meaningfully in class discussions. Guest speakers with expertise in particular
components have been invited to add their perspectives to specific class sessions. Within the
course, several learning activities are evaluated, including class participations, group exercises,
case studies, paper, and final presentations.
GOALS:
The course examines the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of managerial decisionmaking, and the practical knowledge, tools, and strategies required by organizational decisionmakers. Public Health Administration covers the basics of administration, including public
health law, human resources management, budgeting and financing, and legislative relations in
public health. It also discusses emerging areas, such as health information management,
performance measurement, project management, improvement, ethics, leadership, and
communication and media relations.
COMPETENCIES:
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After completing this course, learners will be proficient in describing public health
administration, including its unique and important characteristics, to general audiences. Key
aspects of this competency expectation include:
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Identify the main components and issues of the organization, financing of public
health systems in the US
Describe the legal, regulatory, and ethical bases for public health services
Explain methods of ensuring community health safety and preparedness
Discuss the policy process for improving the health status of populations
Apply the principles of program planning, development, budgeting, management and
evaluation in organizational and community initiatives
Apply the principles of strategic planning to public health
Apply “systems thinking” for resolving organizational problems
Communicate health policy and management issues using appropriate channels and
technologies
Demonstrate leadership skills for building partnerships
Identify future challenges for public health and potential solutions
REQUIRED READINGS:
(PHA) Novick, L. F., Morrow, C. B., & Mays, G. P. (2007). Public Health Administration:
Principles for Population-Based Management (2nd edition). Sudbury, Massachusetts:
Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
(PHPB) Orton, Stephen N, Menkens, Anne J., Santos Pamela (2009) Public Health Business
Planning: A Practical Guide. Sudbury, Massachusetts:Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Journal articles may be found by using the links on Blackboard.
Reading assignments are listed under each class session. Some of the readings are long, so plan
enough time to complete them before class.
RECOMMENDED READINGS:
Institute of Medicine, The Future of the Public’s Health in The 21st Century
(Washington, D.C.: Nat. Acad. Press, 2003) (available online at
http://iom.edu/Reports/2002/The-Future-of-the-Publics-Health-in-the-21st-Century.aspx )
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STUDENT EVALUATION:
GRADING SCALE:
A
AB+
B
B-
93-100
90- 92
87- 89
83- 86
80- 82
Assignments Due
Class Participation:
One Pager on Business Plan
Article Analysis
Group Case Study and Reflection
Paper Presentation
Paper
Due Date
ongoing
9/21
10/19
11/9
11/30 and
12/7
12/14
Points
10
n/a
20
15
10
45
Policies on late assignments:
 LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL automatically lose 20% point value.
 No assignments will be accepted 1 week after original due date.
 NO INCOMPLETES WILL BE GIVEN WITHOUT DOCUMENTATION OF NEED.
To the extent possible in a survey course, class meetings will be used to discuss the readings,
class assignments, and the related experiences of class participants. The opening of each class
session will be used to clarify terms and concepts.
Class Participation
Students are expected to attend every class meeting. In addition to attending, students are
expected to read all assigned readings prior to class and be prepared for class discussion. The
discussion guide will prepare you for class. Class participation will include preparing
presentation related to additional reading, as assigned (using the Discussion Guide). Each
member of the course has some experience in organizations and this personal experience will
help enrich discussions. Therefore, the willingness of all members to participate in class
discussions, offer opinions, ask questions, and bring relevant issues to class will be critical for
successful completion of this course. Students will be evaluated on both the quantity and quality
of their participation in class discussions, exercises, and case study analyses.
Quality class participation is:
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Input that maintains the continuity and coherence of the class discussion. This rules
out off-the-wall comments.
Input that was picked up and responded to by others in the class (such as a
controversial, yet intelligent, question or comment that reflects an understanding of
the issue at hand).
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Input that demonstrates an in-depth analysis of the issue at hand, well-supported by
data or a relevant conceptual framework.
Input that makes connections between material or ideas in different parts of the
course or between this and other courses.
Input that provides an example from personal observation or experience of the subject
at hand.
Civility in the give-and-take of a heated discussion. (This is required, actually.) Class
discussion questions will provoke disagreement, as more than one viable, legitimate
approach will exist with regard to most issues.
(adapted from an unknown source)
Group Case Studies
Groups and cases will be assigned on September 21. Students are assigned to groups and will
make a group presentation on November 16th and hand in a reflection paper (no more than two
pages) on your experience and relevance to class content. For the case presentation, students will
lead the class in a discussion of the case, including working with the case and any relevant
course material. Grades will be determined by evaluation by both the instructor and group
members.
Paper Presentation and Paper
All students will be preparing a public health related business plan as their paper (25 pages maxthis includes any attachments). You are expected to read relevant course material and apply the
material to your own experiences when writing the plan. All papers must be turned in at the start
of class on the due date (email copy). Late papers will not be accepted.
HONOR CODE:
Education at the Colorado School of Public Health is conducted under the honor system. All
students who have entered health professional programs should have developed the qualities of
honesty and integrity, and each student should apply these principles to his or her academic and
subsequent professional career. All students are expected to have achieved a level of maturity,
which is reflected in appropriate conduct at all times. All work done, with the exception on the
group case study, is to be done independently unless specific instruction to the contrary is
provided.
PLAGARISM: ALL WORK MUST BE STUDENT’S OWN. Any student who is caught
plagiarizing another’s work will receive “0” points for that assignment and may be subject to
University disciplinary action. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT PLAGARISM—
WHAT IS IS AND HOW TO AVOID IT see UCD’s Academic Honor Code:
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COMMUNICATION:
There are several ways to communicate with me but the quickest way is to send me an e-mail. It
is necessary for all students to have a UCD e-mail account, because I will be sending
announcements, changes, updates through E-MAIL and blackboard.
Format: If you send me an e-mail, it is very helpful if you begin your subject
heading for each e-mail with the course number and then what it pertains to.
For Example: Subject: HSMP 6606: Question about readings
BLACKBOARD
We will be using Blackboard as a place to post readings and upload assignments. If you are
looking for course resources, check here. Blackboard provides online assistance on how to most
effectively configure your web browser.
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR WRITTEN PAPERS
Please utilize the following criteria for submitting all written assignments: Assignments that do
not follow these guidelines will reflect a lower grade: (1) Word processed, double-space text; (2)
Use 12-point type (Times New Roman is preferred); (3) 1 inch margins all around; (4) Include
name in the header of the report & paginate in the footer: (5) Proofread, spell-check and ensure
that your written assignment is professional in appearance; (6) Use citations for attribution of
writing, or ideas of other authors must be indicated through the use of citations.
Tips for Effective Writing
1. Be upfront and clear about the purpose of your writing and the direction it will take—
providing an introduction to your paper and your findings.
2. Use theoretical concepts to support your analysis and recommendations. Draw upon
network concepts to support your analysis.
3. Demonstrate that you read the course material by referencing the readings (both
required and anything additional that you access to complete your paper).
C Paper: Demonstrates that the student read the course material; “Given what we know now,
the manager should have obviously done something different.”
B Paper: The student understands key concepts; “The manager should have taken different
action based upon logical reasoning or common experience.”
A Paper: The student expands class readings. “The manager should have done “x” because of
the cause and effect that theory/concept “y” implies.” Also demonstrates that the student has
explored additional materials/resources on the background of the care/ or theoretical concepts.
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Class Schedule & Readings/Assignments (subject to change based upon guest speaker
availability, acts of nature and other interesting world events.)
Session 1: August 31
TOPIC: Introductions, Review of Syllabus; Introduction to Public Health Administration
ASSIGNEMNTS DUE (we will do this in class): One pager personal description.
Session 2: September 7
TOPIC: History and Evolution of Contemporary Public Health Systems and Frameworks for
Public Health Administration and Practice
GUEST SPEAKER: Lisa N. VanRaemdonck, CALPHO/Alliance (not confirmed)
READINGS DUE:
PHA: Chapter 1, 2, 3
PHBP: through page 26
Core Competencies: On Blackboard
Familiarize Yourself With:
The National Association of County and City Health Officials’ website
(www.naccho.org ), especially
1) Profiles of Local Public Health Departments
3) Operational Definition of a Local Health Department.
http://www.naccho.org/topics/infrastructure/accreditation/OpDef.cfm
The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials’ website (www.astho.org ) with
links to state health agency websites
Session 3: September 14 (CLASS TIME Will BE 1:30 to 4:30)
TOPIC: Leadership and Ethics
READINGS DUE:
PHA: Chapters 5, 10
PHBP: 27-43
Health Code of Ethics
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http://www.apha.org/NR/rdonlyres/1CED3CEA-287E-4185-9CBDBD405FC60856/0/ethicsbrochure.pdf)
GUEST SPEAKER: Christopher Urbina, MD MPH Executive Director and Chief Medical
Officer, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Session 4: September 21
TOPIC: Law, Financing and Budgeting; Group Case Studies
READINGS DUE:
PHA: Chapter 4, 6, 7
PHBP: 45-71
Online class (blackboard)
Selected Articles
ASSIGNMENTS DUE: One Pager on Business Plan
SESSION 5: September 28
TOPIC: The Business of Public Health, Human Resources Management, Workforce
READINGS DUE:
PHA Chapters: 8, 9
PHBP: 73-107
Selected Articles
Careers in Public Health: Please read 2 that interest you (down on the right hand side)
http://www.whatispublichealth.org/careers/index.html
GUEST LECTURE: Roz Bedell, CDPHE, Chief Operating Officer
ASSIGNEMENTS: Group Case Study; Article Analysis
Session 6: October 5
TOPIC: Budgeting
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READINGS:
PHBP: 109-161
Selected Articles
SESSION 7: October 12
TOPIC: Project Management
READINGS DUE:
PHA: Chapter 21
Project management in health departments: Enterprise application to ensure successful
outcomes http://apha.confex.com/apha/134am/techprogram/paper_137925.htm
SESSION 8: October 19 NO CLASS—Be working on your group case studies this week.
ASSIGNMENTS DUE: Article Analysis
Session 9: October 26
TOPIC: Role and Function of Public Health Systems in Comprehensive Disaster and
Emergency Response;
READINGS DUE:
PHA: Chapter 23
Selected Articles
Session 10: November 2
TOPIC: Community Engagement; Partnerships, Stakeholders and Coalitions
READINGS DUE:
PHA: Chapter 16, 19
Community Engagement in Public Health
http://www.cchealth.org/groups/phoec/pdf/community_engagement_in_ph.pdf
Selected Articles
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Session 11: November 9
TOPIC: Using Information Systems for Public Health Administration; Evaluation of Public
Health Interventions; Group Case Study Presentations
ASSIGNMENTS DUE: Case Studies and 2 page write up.
GUEST LECTURE: Doug Fernald or Art Davidson (or Both)
READINGS DUE:
PHA: Chapter 12, 13, 14, 18
Selected Articles
Session 12: November 16
TOPIC: Communication and Media Relations
READINGS DUE:
PHA: Chapter 20, 22
Selected Articles
Session 13: November 23 NO CLASS THANKSGIVING
DRAFT paper (OPTIONAL). DRAFTS will not be accepted after this date (returned
within the week)
Session 14: November 30
TOPIC: Business Plan Presentations
Session 15: December 7
TOPIC: Business Plan Presentations, Class Conclusion, Evaluation
Session 16: December 14
ASSIGNMENTS DUE: Final Paper DUE.
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