de Beaumont and UW-Madison Announce Transition of New to Public Health Program

The New to Public Health Residency Program, a nationally recognized workforce development initiative, will transition from the University of Wisconsin–Madison to become a de Beaumont Foundation initiative. 

New to Public Health is a first-of-its-kind, evidence-based program designed to support early-career government public health professionals as they enter the field. By building essential skills, confidence, and professional connections among participants, the program helps new hires succeed in their roles and develop long-term careers in public health.  

The 2024 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS) found that only 22% of the government public health workforce holds a public health degree, underscoring a need for formal training in public health. This program addresses that need by equipping early-career professionals with evidence-based public health competencies and the confidence to navigate and contribute effectively in government public health roles. 

The program offers a comprehensive, structured experience that includes: 

• An accredited online learning course covering foundational public health capabilities, offering up to 77 continuing education units 

• A community of practice with monthly virtual discussions that foster peer relationships, reduce isolation, and build trust 

• Mentor support through personalized matching with experienced public health professionals 

• Completion of an evidence-based project focused on leadership, research, and critical thinking skills 

The program has demonstrated its success in improving onboarding and retention across public health agencies. The transition to de Beaumont Foundation will support the broader adoption of standardized, sustainable approaches to public health workforce development across the country. 

“UW–Madison School of Nursing and School of Medicine and Public Health launched the New to Public Health Residency Program to equip new government public health professionals with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to respond effectively to today’s complex health challenges. Nurse residency programs were a helpful model for providing structured training, mentorship, and competency development during the transition into practice. New to Public Health has been shown to strengthen public health workforce capacity, improve job satisfaction, and support retention, and I am confident the program will thrive with national support from the de Beaumont Foundation,” said Dr. Susan Zahner, Interim Dean, School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin–Madison. 

The University of Wisconsin–Madison will remain a key partner in the program’s continued growth and success. Julianna Manske and McKenzie Liegel will also join the de Beaumont staff as part of the transition, helping ensure continuity and ongoing program excellence.

“With this partnership, we look forward to helping new public health employees succeed in their roles no matter their educational background. The de Beaumont Foundation has a rich and varied slate of initiatives supporting the public health workforce, and we are eager to more strongly connect New to Public Health with findings from the Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS), as well as grow its reach through our relationships with health departments across the country,” said Brian C. Castrucci, President & CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation. 

This transition reflects de Beaumont’s continued commitments to strengthening government public health agencies, supporting the public health workforce, and ensuring that new professionals are equipped to meet the challenges of the future.