UNMC professor enters public health leadership institute

Shinobu Watanabe-Galloway, Ph.D.

Shinobu Watanabe-Galloway, Ph.D., assistant professor and acting chairwoman of the epidemiology department in the College of Public Health, recently was selected to join the National Public Health Leadership Institute’s 18th class.

The one-year leadership development program trains practitioners to be public health leaders in their institutions and communities.

“It is very exciting to do this at a national level,” Dr. Watanabe-Galloway said. “This program provides great opportunities to continue my work on public policy and network with public health leaders across the U.S.”

A graduate of the first Great Plains Public Health Leadership Institute (PHLI) class in 2006, Dr. Watanable-Galloway is interested in public health polices and research related to underserved patient populations. Her particular focus is narrowing the gap in mortality rates of cancer patients and removing the stigma of mental illness by examining health policies, which could provide equal access to health care.

The National Public Health Leadership Institute is dedicated to developing leaders who can make systematic changes in their communities and shift the culture of their institutions and organizations.

Patrick Simpson, UNMC instructor in pediatrics and CityMatCH executive director, has been participating in the national institute’s 17th class.