Alumna selected as an ASPPH/CDC Tribal Health Department Fellow

Alumna Elizabeth Frost, PhD, MPH, MSW, was recently selected as an Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH)/Centers for Disease Control Tribal Health Department Fellow. Frost, a 2016 PhD graduate with a focus on Health Promotion and Health Education, is a part of the inaugural cohort established to strengthen and sustain Tribal Health Departments nationwide.

This fellowship is a part of a new national effort aimed at strengthening and sustaining the infrastructure and workforce of Tribal Health Departments. Developed in partnership with Tribal health leaders, the fellowship supports initiatives in public health, partnering fellows with various health departments to improve community health, program development, and reaccreditation efforts among its public health departments.

Fellows will design projects in collaboration with their partnering health department to advance community health and wellbeing, ensuring their programs reflect local priorities and community values. During the yearlong fellowship, Frost will partner with the Winnebago Tribal Health Center, offering strategic guidance to support the local community in Nebraska. Her work will focus on strengthening nearby health system partnerships, advancing sustainable practices, and supporting long-term training within the organization. By working directly alongside staff, Frost aims to ensure that public health strategies are both actionable and aligned with community goals.

In her collaboration with Winnebago, Frost is developing an Indigenous Social Determinants of Health (ISDOH) model that will help guide the department's future initiatives and inform a more holistic approach to addressing community health needs. The model emphasizes cultural grounding, community priorities, and Tribal sovereignty as key drivers of health.

Frost works at the intersection of community and individuals' health, fostering improved health outcomes alongside greater communication and awareness. Frost's interdisciplinary training in public health and social work positions her well for this fellowship. By connecting these two disciplines, Frost aims to utilize population-level goals and implement them at the individual level to support meaningful change to public health practice.

Frost shared that her decision to pursue a career in public health was rooted in her desire to create meaningful, lasting change for future generations. "I pursued a degree in public health because I wanted to make a meaningful difference in the communities where I have lived and worked, while also contributing to broader national and global efforts to improve population health," said Frost. This effort is reflected in her work with Tribal Health Departments and the opportunity to connect communities with public health planning and implementation.

"I was drawn to public health by my passion for implementing evidence-based practices, conducting research, and engaging in advocacy, all of which allow me to leave the world a better place for the next generation."

She emphasized that relationship-building and respectful collaboration are essential to effective public health practices. "Challenges facing public health will continue to evolve, but we as public health professionals have a responsibility to continue to protect and promote the health of communities with integrity, resilience, and sustained commitment," shared Frost.