Power of Communications #2: Navigating Conflict and Communication Issues with Partners and the Public in Rural Settings (Live Training-No CE)

Live Training - March 24, 2026 from 11-12 PM EST (Registration closes at 8 AM EST on March 24th. The Zoom link will be emailed prior to the start.)

PLEASE NOTE: No CE or a certificate of completion is available in this free course. If you are interested in earning CE and/or a certificate for a fee, please enroll in the paid CE version: https://phprepared.catalog.instructure.com/courses/poc2w0326ce 

This live training is part 2 of a 4-part series on rural health communications. This second session is about navigating conflict and communication issues with cross-sector partnerships and the public. Rural health professionals navigate unique communication challenges: dual relationships, limited resources, and diverse opinions.

This panel of experienced public health practitioners will provide participants with strategies for building and maintaining trust in local public health.

Note on Accessibility: This live session will have auto-transcription in Zoom. Slides will be provided prior to the session. The recorded on-demand version to follow will have closed captions as well. To request ASL interpretation and/or CART captioning, please email us within 2 weeks of the live training at phprepared@umich.edu.

Audience

Public health practitioners and partners in rural settings

Learning Objectives

• Discuss common conflict and communication issues between local public health agencies and the public in rural settings 
• Identify two strategies to address conflict and communication issues with the public

Instructors

• Joshua Meyerson, MD, MPH, Medical Director, Health Department of Northwest Michigan, Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department, District Health Department No. 4
• Nick Derusha, MPA, REHS, CFPH, Director and Health Officer, Luce-Mackinac-Alger-Schoolcraft District Health Department (LMAS)
• Haleigh Leslie, DrPH, MPH, MBA, Health Officer, Ionia County Health Department

Sponsors

Public Health Prepared is the workforce development and public health practice branch of the broader Michigan Center for Infectious Disease Threats & Pandemic Preparedness (MCIDT) initiative, funded by the University of Michigan. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by Public Health Prepared, MCIDT, or the University of Michigan.

This event is co-sponsored by the Region V Public Health Training Center.

The Region V Public Health Training Center is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UB6HP31684 Public Health Training Centers ($940,000). This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by Region V PHTC, HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

Technical Information

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This webinar will use Zoom. For support information, visit https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/201137166 REGISTER FOR THE TRAINING USING THE EMAIL YOU WILL USE TO JOIN THE LIVE ZOOM.

Contact us at PHPrepared@umich.edu with questions.