FPHI Executive Summary
The Florida Public Health Institute’s (FPHI) objective is to apply a multi-sector systems approach as a neutral convener for public-private partnership development of health-related matters for the citizens of Palm Beach County, the state of Florida and the national community. Its mission is to “…advance the knowledge and practice of public health to promote, protect and improve the health of all.” FPHI will promote improvements in health through health advocacy, education of the community, training of the health workforce and through basic and applied research. FPHI looks forward to participating as a collaborator, not a competitor, with a variety of partners and positioning the Institute as a vehicle for positive health system change wherever the opportunity may arise. Positive health system change, for example, will be done in part by working through state and federal collaborations to increase access to healthcare for the uninsured through increased numbers of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) sites and by promoting the formulation of improved health and public health policy.
Since its inception in 2006, FPHI has brought together leaders from academia; city, county, state and federal government; foundations; business and industry and the local communities to begin the dialog about positive health system change. Partners include the Town of Lantana, Nova Southeastern University, University of Miami, Florida Department of Health, A.G. Holley Hospital, Florida Public Health Association, County Health Departments, Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, Florida Atlantic University. Florida International University, Nova Southeastern University, University of Florida, University of Miami, University of North Florida, University of South Florida, and Florida State University.
In 2007, FPHI received core operational funding totaling $1.25 million from the Quantum Foundation and the National Network of Public Health Institutes/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to expand the Institute’s infrastructure and program development capabilities. Since this inception, FPHI has expanded its board to fifteen members, developed a five year strategic plan, created and executed a sustainability plan, increased its funding sources, enhanced internal IT infrastructure and developed several projects for each of its five centers of excellence. These five centers include: workforce development; bio-preparedness and health system readiness; primary care and prevention; research, education and training; and a center for a sustainable environment and safe water.
FPHI is enacting its vision to evolve into an Institute with multiple governmental and private funding sources to further champion changes in health related policy and implementation. These increasing affiliations are bringing intellectual capital that are enhancing health care services and improving the health system fabric throughout the state and nationally. FPHI continues to develop innovation projects focused on workforce retention, community mitigation and preparedness, primary care and oral health services for the uninsured and under insured populations, online training course, electronic community messaging and environmental and safe water related issues.