The Region IV PHTC (R-IV PHTC) is proud to share that R-IV PHTC trainings have reached over 32,000 public health professionals in the past four years. Even more fulfilling is knowing that many of those training participants have used what they learn in these sessions to become better practitioners. Frequent training participant and R-IV PHTC champion Betty Dixon, BSN, DrPH, is living proof.
As Clinical Supervisor of Georgia’s Coastal Health District, Dr. Dixon oversees 11 public health clinics that serve a population of 500,000. In 2011, after attending workshops on evaluation and informatics, she applied what she had learned to improve follow-up protocol for students who fail school-based scoliosis screening. She went on to say, “I’m thrilled with the results and feel [the training] was very worthwhile!”
Not only does Dr. Dixon model lifelong learning by participating in R-IV PHTC trainings (she’s attended six all-day workshops and countless webinars in recent years), she encourages her staff to invest in their own professional development by taking advantage of the PHTC offerings. In 2017, most of the Coastal Health District staff attended the all-day in-person Cultural Competence training. She reports, “They found it to be excellent!”
It’s not uncommon for Dr. Dixon to forward a training announcement with a personal note, such as “I’ve attended several of their on-line trainings and in-person trainings and have found them to be excellent.” or “[The PHTC] never disappoints. The program and trainer were excellent!”
Dr. Dixon recently sent the R-IV PHTC Resources for Public Health Response to Hurricanes and Their Aftermath to all staff. She explains, “This contained valuable information about Hurricanes useful for Public Health and other responders. Many of my staff continue to access this information and have incorporated it into the Hurricane tool kit.”