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Region 7 Public Health Innovation Hub

Region 7 Public Health Innovation Hub

The Kansas Health Institute (KHI), functioning as your Region 7 Public Health Innovation Hub, is one of 10 regional technical assistance (TA) centers offering dedicated support to Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) recipients. Working under the leadership of the National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI), our goal is to work with you to strengthen public health infrastructure. KHI serves HHS Region 7, which includes Kansas, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska.

Services

We are committed to serving as your go-to TA Provider in response to requests made through the PHIVE system, with services that include:

  • One-on-one coaching and guidance
  • Model materials and templates
  • Sharing or developing tools and toolkits
  • Co-development of trainings and webinars
  • Assessment and analysis of existing resources and processes
  • Connections to peer networks
Please submit official technical assistance requests through the Public Health Infrastructure Virtual Engagement (PHIVE) platform, using the button below. KHI can help you frame your technical assistance request before submitting it to the PHIVE system. If you want to work with KHI on formulating your PHIVE technical assistance request, please contact us.

 
 

Select this button to request technical assistance.

We Can Help With

  • Workforce development and training

  • Strategic planning and change management

  • Policy analysis and development

  • Community health assessment and improvement

  • Community and stakeholder engagement

  • Strategic communication

Contact us if you have questions about other services.

Featured Staff

 
 
 

Photo of Ithar Hassaballa, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Ithar Hassaballa, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Co-director of the Region 7 Innovation Hub and primary contact for the Kansas City, Missouri, Health Department, Douglas County, Nebraska, County Health Department, and the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services.

Learn more about Ithar.

Photo of Kevin Kovach, Dr.P.H., M.Sc.

Kevin Kovach, Dr.P.H., M.Sc.

Co-director of the Region 7 Innovation Hub and primary contact for the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Learn more about Kevin.

Photo of Shelby Rowell

Shelby C. Rowell

Provides research and technical support for the Region 7 Public Health Innovation Hub.

Learn more about Shelby.

 

 

 

Photo of Wyatt J. Beckman, M.P.H., C.H.E.S.

Wyatt J. Beckman, M.P.H., C.H.E.S.

Provides research and technical support for the Region 7 Public Health Innovation Hub.

Learn more about Wyatt.

Photo of Tatiana Y. Lin, M.A.

Tatiana Y. Lin, M.A.

Provides research and technical support for the Region 7 Public Health Innovation Hub.

Learn more about Tatiana.

Photo of Samiyah Para-Cremer Moore, M.Sc.

Samiyah Para-Cremer Moore, M.Sc.

Provides research and technical support for the Region 7 Public Health Innovation Hub.

Learn more about Samiyah.

 

 

 

Sheena L. Schmidt, M.P.P. 

Provides research and technical support for the Region 7 Public Health Innovation Hub.

Learn more about Sheena.

Photo of Theresa Freed, M.A.

Theresa Freed, M.A.

Provides communication expertise and support for the Region 7 Public Health Innovation Hub.

Learn more about Theresa.

Kari M. Bruffett

Kari M. Bruffett

President and CEO of KHI. Provides strategic support for the Region 7 Public Health Innovation Hub.  

Learn more about Kari.

 

 

 

Partners

Innovation Hubs Covering HHS Regions

Resources from the Region 7 Public Health Innovation Hub

 
 

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Health on the Plains

Health on the Plains is a Kansas Health Institute podcast, hosted by Wyatt Beckman, KHI senior analyst. The podcast was launched in 2023, with a focus on health and well-being in rural Kansas. Episodes include engaging and nuanced conversations around topics impacting the health of individuals in less populated parts of the state. Episodes are released twice monthly and include guests representing a wide range of backgrounds who are focused on improving health for Kansans. Although conversation is focused on Kansas, topics are relevant to anyone living in rural America. The podcast is also available as a webcast on YouTube.

Learn More.

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Health Impact Checklist

The Health Impact Checklist (HI-C) was designed to inform decisions at many levels (e.g., organizational, city, county and state). It asks a series of questions and uses a combination of check boxes and written responses to connect potential changes in social, economic and environmental conditions with potential health impacts. Further, the tool guides users as they create practical recommendations to maximize potential positive health impacts and mitigate potential negative health impacts.

Learn More.