The Public Health Workforce Lab
by I Am Health Education®
Where Public Health Professionals Connect, Exchange Ideas, and Strengthen the Workforce
The Public Health Workforce Lab by I Am Health Education® is a professional community designed to bring together public health professionals across sectors for meaningful conversations, networking, and workforce development.
Through structured discussions and monthly Coffee Chats, the Workforce Lab creates space for professionals to share experiences, exchange ideas, and build relationships that support both individual careers and the broader public health field.
Why the Public Health Workforce Lab Exists
Public health work is collaborative by nature, yet many professionals experience isolation in their roles.
Whether working in government, nonprofit organizations, healthcare systems, or academia, public health professionals often have limited opportunities to connect with others outside their immediate teams.
The Public Health Workforce Lab was created to help bridge that gap.
This community provides a space where professionals can:
Connect with peers across the public health field
Discuss workforce challenges and opportunities
Exchange ideas and practical strategies
Build professional relationships beyond their organizations
By strengthening connections between professionals, we strengthen the public health workforce itself.
What Happens Inside the Workforce Lab
Public Health Coffee Chats
Monthly virtual networking sessions designed for quick, meaningful conversations.
Each session lasts 30 minutes and includes breakout discussions so participants can connect with others working in different areas of public health.
These sessions provide a simple way to meet new colleagues, exchange ideas, and expand professional networks.
Workforce Conversations
Many Coffee Chats are organized around themes related to the public health workforce.
Examples include:
• Navigating career transitions in public health
• Burnout and sustainability in the workforce
• Leadership development for public health professionals
• Consulting and alternative career paths
These conversations allow professionals to learn from one another and explore new perspectives.
Professional Networking
Participants come from a wide range of public health roles, including:
• Health educators and faculty members
• Community health professionals
• Program managers
• Policy professionals
• Nonprofit leaders
• Graduate students entering the field
The Workforce Lab creates opportunities to connect across sectors and experiences.
Who Should Join
The Public Health Workforce Lab welcomes individuals who are passionate about strengthening the public health field and connecting with others doing similar work.
This includes:
• public health professionals
• health educators
• CHES and MCHES professionals
• community health leaders
• graduate students
• individuals exploring careers in public health
Whether you are early in your career or have years of experience, your perspective contributes to the conversation.
Preparing for the CHES Exam?
Many members of the Workforce Lab are working toward the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) credential.
I Am Health Education® also offers the CHES Collective, a peer-supported study and accountability community designed to help candidates prepare for the CHES exam.
The next CHES Collective cohort will launch ahead of the October 2026 exam window.
Join the Community
If you are interested in connecting with other public health professionals and contributing to conversations shaping the workforce, we invite you to join the next Coffee Chat.
These sessions are open to anyone working in or exploring the public health field.