New to Public Health Residency Program logo

The New to Public Health Residency Program is a 12-month, first-of-its-kind program supporting early-career public health professionals working in government public health organizations.

Residents of the program gain competence, confidence, and satisfaction in their role by completing monthly activities about foundational areas and capabilities to public health practice.

Key Features

  • Fully online 12-month program, averaging 10 hours/month of work
  • Monthly cohort discussions
  • Focus on foundational areas and capabilities essential to public health practice
  • Support from an experienced mentor who is matched with each resident
  • Completion of an evidence-based practice project to build leadership, critical thinking, and translational research skills
  • Accredited program with the opportunity to receive continuing education credits
  • Support from program facilitators with experience in local public health and other subject matter expertise
  • Cost: $2,000 per resident, typically paid by employer

Who is the New to Public Health Residency Program for?

  • Early-career public health professionals
  • Working in government public health
  • Best for newly hired professionals less than three years into their first public health role
  • Open to all public health disciplines and roles

What is a residency program?

Residency programs are structured training programs that help transition new professionals to practice, allowing them to build confidence along the way. New to Public Health is inspired by decades of evidence of nurse residency programs, which are an established, evidence-based strategy resulting in reduced attrition in the workplace in clinical spaces. The New to Public Health Residency Program incorporates components of year-long nurse residency programs, such as mentorship, structured reflection, applied adult learning principles, engagement in evidence-based practice projects, and seminars, and brings them to the field of public health.

How does New to Public Health support early-career public health professionals?

Effective onboarding is one of the most powerful tools for retaining workers in any field — and it is especially critical in government public health, where only 22% of practitioners have formal public health training or degrees.

The residency program can fill this onboarding gap and help improve the retention challenges facing the field. According to the 2024 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey, 21% of the current workforce plan to leave within the next year. Attrition risks are even higher among early-career employees, with 24% of those with five years or less of experience and 29% of those under age 35 planning to leave within the next year.

This makes the New to Public Health Residency Program essential. Participants who complete the program will be supported in their critical transition time in ways that result in:

  • Greater competency for evidence-based public health practice
  • Enhanced confidence for addressing the challenges of public health work
  • High satisfaction with their new careers and clear intentions to remain in public health practice, reducing organizational costs associated with turnover

The residency program is managed by Julianna Manske, Director; and McKenzie Liegel, Senior Program Associate.

Program History

Program transitions to the de Beaumont Foundation

2026

The Residency Program transitioned from the University of Wisconsin–Madison to the de Beaumont Foundation.

Program continues to evolve

2024

New to Public Health continued to evolve through the addition of components supporting learning, communication, and engagement.

First state-based cohort launches

2022

New to Public Health staff partnered with the Alaska Division of Public Health, Section of Public Health Nursing, to launch the first state-based New to Public Health cohort specifically for public health nurses.

First cohort launches

2021

The first cohort launched with 25 residents from Wisconsin and Virginia.

Program moves online

2020

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Residency Program pivoted its in-person launch to an online format, where it remains today.

New to Public Health Residency Program developed

2019

The Southeastern Wisconsin Public Health Nurse Residency Program developed into the New to Public Health Residency Program through support from Dr. Susan Zahner, University of Wisconsin–Madison grant funding, and community advisory teams.

Southeastern Wisconsin program created

2017

The New to Public Health Residency Program was adapted from the Southeastern Wisconsin Public Health Nurse Residency Program, created by public health nurses in Southeastern Wisconsin.

Maleah A., Cohort 15

“Being a seasoned professional in a new industry, this program has been incredibly beneficial to network, learn new things, examine case studies, and spark curiosity for further learning. Now, with a comprehensive toolkit for public health research and practice under my belt, I feel fully capable to implement equitable community change at a population level with local partners.”

Maleah A., Cohort 15
Addie O., Cohort 19

“When I stepped into my role in local public health, there was a LOT to take in. The New to Public Health Residency Program helped me connect the dots. It gave me the context, confidence, and connections to approach this work with clarity and purpose.”

Addie O., Cohort 19
Sydney G., Cohort 19

“The New to Public Health Residency Program allowed me to connect with those in different areas of public health and see how they address problems in their specific roles. It has also allowed me to gain strong connections with new mentors, find great resources to keep for future growth, and reinforce my confidence in my abilities as a public health administrator. I will forever be thankful for this program.”

Sydney G., Cohort 19
Kyia P., Cohort 21

“My mentor has shaped my professional practice by modeling graceful and compassionate leadership and encouraging me to approach challenges with conviction. Their enlightenment has helped me grow with intention and stay grounded in my values.”

Kyia P., Cohort 21

“What I found most impactful was the Evidence-Based Practice Project. Working on the project helped me think thoroughly about a problem and solution. My project received great feedback at my workplace.”

Vanessa S., Cohort 11