Public Health’s Dorene Hersh is one of just 25 nurses from across the country selected as a Public Health Nurse Leader (PHNL) by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). She will participate in a two-year leadership development program designed to strengthen the capacity of senior public health nurses to improve population health, address social determinants of health, respond to emerging trends in health and health care, influence policy, and lead collaboration in their communities.
The program’s goal is to support nurses who are ready to lead public health departments in building a Culture of Health in their communities. Since PHNLs participate in partnerships across all sectors and disciplines that lead to collaborative action, they can leverage new and existing opportunities for even healthier communities. As part of the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action, the PHNLs will work closely with the Action Coalitions in their states to implement recommendations from the Institute of Medicine’s Future of Nursing report.
“I am thrilled to have been selected for this honor, and look forward to strengthening my skills so I can do even
more to improve the health of my community and help transform the nursing profession,” Dorene said. “I know this experience will propel the work of our Leadership Nursing Action Coalition forward using the nursing workforce to support the work of Healthier Washington in building healthier communities. I look forward to working with the Washington Nursing Action Coalition in the months ahead.”
About Dorene
Dorene Hersh, RN, MN, is the Chief of Nursing Services at Public Health Seattle-King County in Seattle, Washington. She is responsible for clinical practice oversight for over 250 public health nurses employed in management, supervisory, advanced practice, field nursing, ambulatory care, and correctional health roles. With over 20 years of leadership experience in public health, pediatrics, and home care, her work includes the integration and advancement of the nursing role in a large metropolitan health department, where she is responsible for managing key program support.
Dorene is involved in several state level roles as president of the Washington State Association of Local Public Health Officials and a member of the Nursing Practice Commission for the Northwest Organization for Nurse Executives. She is also a member of the Washington State Public Health Association and a member of the Leadership Nursing Action Coalition.
More about RWJF’s “Culture of Health”
A “Culture of Health” does not encompass a single mission, but rather a multifaceted approach to health and well-being. Visit their website to learn more about Robert Wood Johnson’s Culture of Health movement.