PPC Leadership Training Program

Overview

The University of Florida Pediatric Pulmonary Center Leadership Training Grant (UF PPC) offers interdisciplinary/interprofessional leadership training for graduate students and practicing professionals in medicine, nursing, nutrition, social work, clinical psychology, public health, and family leadership. The goal of training is to develop leaders in Maternal and Child Health (MCH) utilizing a community-based, family-centered, culturally aware approach focusing on the care of children with pulmonary conditions. The leadership training program is sponsored by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) of the Health Systems Research Association. The UF PPC collaborates closely with the other five MCHB -funded PPCs and other MCHB training programs such as the Schools of Public Health, Leadership Training in Adolescent Health, Leadership Training in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, etc.

Leadership training at the UF PPC occurs through multiple activities including the Core Curriculum Leadership Seminar (CCLS), participation in inpatient and outpatient clinical services, participation in faculty projects, and interaction with community partners. The CCLS is based on the MCH Leadership Competencies 4.0 and includes topics such as the management of pediatric pulmonary conditions, interdisciplinary care, family involvement, and advocacy. The PPC faculty is an interdisciplinary team of social workers, nurses, nutritionists, physicians, pharmacists, clinical psychologists, and family leaders.

The UF PPC is housed in the Pediatric Pulmonary Division in the UF Department of Pediatrics/College of Medicine and Shands Children’s Hospital -recently ranked as the top children’s hospital in Florida. Shands Children’s Hospital and the UF Department of Pediatrics serve children with a wide range of health care needs locally, regionally, and nationally. This setting provides a wide range of educational opportunities and each trainees’ goals are met through the development of an individualized education plan. Clinical experiences include specialty clinics for cystic fibrosis, severe asthma, sleep disorders, lung transplantation, sickle cell disease, chronic lung disease of prematurity, and technology-dependent children, to name a few. The faculty operates in a wide range of leadership roles allowing them to help trainees identify and develop their own leadership strengths.

Program Goals/Training Duration

The PPC utilizes the MCH Leadership Competencies 4.0 to guide training activities. All trainees develop a personal educational plan to facilitate skill development and knowledge acquisition to achieve personal/professional goals. The UF PPC faculty recognize that the duration of training depends on individual needs and availability. The PPC welcomes students for a varying length of training and distance training is available as appropriate. Stipends may be available for some long-term trainees (those who work 300 hours or longer with the PPC).

Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Leadership Curriculum

Training

Collaboration & Advisement

Testimonial

Hear from former social work graduate student, Lucia Garland, MSW, detailing her traineeship experience within the University of Florida’s College of Medicine Pediatric Pulmonary Center’s (PPC) Leadership Training Program.