1079: How Missouri’s Pathways Internship Program Is Creating the Next Generation of Leaders with Help from PHIG

Public health agencies across the country face a growing workforce shortage—but Missouri is tackling the challenge head-on. In this episode, we explore how Missouri internship programs are building a diverse, skilled pipeline of future public health professionals while strengthening partnerships between state and local agencies. Scott Allen, an Administrator and Health Officer of the Webster County Health Unit shares how hands-on internships are giving students real-world experience in areas like accreditation, emergency preparedness, food safety, and wastewater policy while delivering immediate value to rural communities. We’re also joined by Brenna Davidson, an Operational Excellence Leader with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, who explains how strategic investments through the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) funding helped launch and scale the program. She highlights the importance of removing barriers with paid internships, broadening recruitment beyond traditional public health fields, and strengthening leadership development through innovative initiatives like the Leadership Challenge.