The focus of the community resilience and emergency preparedness is to implement initiatives that strengthen community capacity to prepare for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies, with an emphasis on rural and underserved populations.

Focus: To implement initiatives that strengthen community capacity to prepare for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies, with an emphasis on rural and underserved populations.

Goals: To enhance community volunteerism, improve emergency response systems, and tailor preparedness strategies for rural Appalachia.

Projects: APP MRC, PHA, Aging Well, and Innovative Approaches 2.0

The focus of innovative research and policy scholarship is to conduct research and develop policies that address the unique challenges of rural communities.

Focus: To conduct research and develop policies that address the unique challenges of rural communities.

Goals: To build evidence-based policies, create innovative solutions for rural health challenges, and improve preparedness capabilities.

Projects: Preparedness Quality Improvement, Health Communication, Obstetric Desert Mapping, and more.

The focus of the community engagement and partnerships is to build and sustain collaborative networks between academic institutions, local and state governments, community-based organizations, and the private sector to address rural health needs.

Focus: To build and sustain collaborative networks between academic institutions, local and state governments, community-based organizations, and the private sector to address rural health needs.

Goals: To strengthen community coalitions, increase stakeholder engagement, and form sustainable partnerships for rural health improvement.

Projects: SHERPA Network, Moms and Babies, Partners in Preparedness, and more.

The focus of the workforce development for rural resilience is to train the next generation of public health professionals and community leaders to address rural health challenges and build resilient communities.

Focus: Train the next generation of public health professionals and community leaders to address rural health challenges and build resilient communities.

Goals: To foster a skilled and diverse public health workforce, increase career pathways for students, and improve capacity for rural health leadership.

Projects: graduate and undergraduate training, internships, and service-learning opportunities