About OPHP

About Us
The Office of Public Heatlh Practice (OPHP) is dedicated to the improvement of public health practices for the health, safety, and welfare of Hoosiers.  As a collaborative, multi-disciplinary organization, OPHP promotes, supports, and delivers public health education to improve the skills and abilities of Indiana’s public health professionals

In 1999, OPHP was created as a collaborative effort of the Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Public Health, the Indiana State Department of Health and a cadre of community partners that continue to serve on the Center’s multidisciplinary, multi-agency Advisory Board.   OPHP's intent is to improve the quality and effectiveness of public health practice through the linkage of academic research and practice community.

What We Do
OPHP offers a variety of educational opportunities, including:

·        Online courses
·        On-site sessions
·        Resource connections
·         Multi-media productions

As a result of our unique academic/practice partnerships, IN MAPHTC, now OPHP,  has twice (1999 & 2003) been the recipient of the Council on Linkages Between Academia and Public Health Practice Award for “successful community-based collaborative activities between public health practice agencies and academic institutions of higher learning.”  OPHP also fulfills the requirements for workforce education and linkage to the practice community set forth by the Council on Education for Public Health for accredited Public Health academic programs.

OPHP offers continuing education through various modalities that are competency and research based, practical, and relevant.  Educational opportunities encompass a broad range of public health issues, from basic public health science to emergency preparedness training.   To date, IN MAPHTC has served over 4,000 professionals in 91 of 92 Indiana counties. 


Public Health
The fundamental obligation of agencies responsible for population-based health is to:

·        Prevent epidemics and the spread of disease
·        Protect against environmental hazards
·        Prevent injuries
·        Promote and encourage healthy behaviors and mental health
·        Response to disasters and assist communities in recovery
·         Ensure the quality and accessibility of health services (Harrell and Baker)