Strengthening Community Health Through Multi-Sector Partnerships: North Dakota’s Innovative
ResourcesSession Summary
In this session, participants will discover how North Dakota is advancing public health through the Multi-Partner Health Collaborative (MPHC), a statewide initiative rooted in its State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP). This innovative approach brings together healthcare systems, government agencies, businesses, nonprofits, and community members to collectively address shared health priorities and strengthen foundational capabilities. Guided by values of accountability, collaboration, understanding, and advocacy, the MPHC focuses on four key areas: workforce development, wellness promotion, access to care, and community resilience. Presenters will share how this cross-sector model fosters sustainable impact, accelerates progress toward becoming the healthiest state in the nation, and offers replicable strategies for other jurisdictions aiming to build strong community partnerships and drive public health outcomes.
Presenter(s):
- Moderator: Asha Bell, NNPHI
- Kim Mertz , R.N., BNSc, Section Director, Healthy and Safe Communities, North Dakota Department of Health
- Jennifer Schmidt, M.S., PHIG Manager, North Dakota Department of Health