Applications for the Fall 2026 Region 6 Public Health Leadership Institute (R6-PHLI) are now open! Applications are being accepted now until Monday, June 15, 2026.

• The R6-PHLI aims to develop the next generation of public health leaders. The R6-PHLI provides an opportunity for strategic professional growth for emerging leaders who seek to gain leadership skills for career advancement.

• The R6-PHLI is designed for mid-management professionals that live or work in Region 6 (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas) with a minimum of 5 years experience in public health or healthcare.

• The R6-PHLI uses a community learning approach for networking and interactive discussions with leaders and experts. Hands-on activities are designed for skill building. There are no specific degree requirements.

• The R6-PHLI covers timely, practice-oriented topics developed from focus groups and key informant interviews with professionals across the five states of Region 6.

For more information (including an overview of the R6-PHLI, eligibility criteria and list of topics), please visit the Region 6 Public Health Leadership Institute page.

An informational webinar about the Fall 2026 Region 6 Public Health Leadership Institute was held on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 11 a.m. CDT.

Click here to view the recording or watch it below.

The Region 6 South Central Public Health Training Center and Tulane University will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2026 in observance of Memorial Day. During this time, technical support for the Tulane PACE Learning Management System will be extremely limited. If you require assistance, please email us.

“Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.” - Unknown

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to recognize the importance of mental well-being, raise awareness and work to reduce stigma surrounding mental health. At the Region 6 South Central Public Health Training Center, we remain committed to strengthening communities through education, meaningful dialogue and access to mental health resources. This month, we encourage all to join us in initiating meaningful conversations, promoting wellness and building a stronger, more supportive Region 6.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to individuals in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. With a network of over 200 local crisis centers, the 988 Lifeline offers a combination of local care and national best practices. Whether you’re facing mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use concerns, or simply need someone to talk to, compassionate counselors are here for you. You are not alone.


For more information on Mental Health Awareness Month, 
please check out the resources below.

The Region 6 South Central Public Health Training Center would like to extend their warmest congratulations to Kerstin M. Reinschmidt, PhD, MPH who has been granted tenure effective July 1, 2026.

Dr. Reinschmidt joined the Oklahoma Public Health Training Center in 2017 and has provided her leadership since 2018. During this time, her contributions included the recruitment of OU students for Tulane’s stipend placements for students who complete program requirements. Using R6-SCPHTC survey data, Dr. Reinschmidt published two papers on the Oklahoma workforce in general and community health workers in particular.

This March, Dr. Reinschmidt and her husband visited New Orleans, home to the

R6-SCPHTC. They spent several days near the French Quarter and took in its architecture, cuisine, and culture.

Dr. Reinschmidt shared some of her photos from her trip. See below.

Course Spotlight:

Protecting Your Physical and Mental Health: Before, During and After a Disaster

Course Description:



It’s important to prepare yourself and your family when responding to a hurricane disaster, explain what your first responder responsibilities are and have communication and evacuation plans ready for your family to keep them safe in your absence.

Learning Objectives:

• List and discuss the different possible physical effects of a disaster – and hurricanes specifically 

• List and discuss the different possible mental effects of a disaster – and hurricanes specifically 

• Describe how to strengthen employee resilience through preparedness activities for themselves and for their families 

• Describe different methods/activities to mitigate the physical and mental health effects of disasters

For more info about this training,

please click here.

Featured Course Bundle:

Data into Action for Tribes (DIA)

Course Bundle Description:

The Data into Action for Tribes course bundle is designed to provide general guidance and understanding to increase the knowledge among tribal health departments of how to access available data from federal, state, and local resources for program planning surveillance, and data use.

Th trainings in this bundle will cover several topics related to data, including an overview of epidemiology, sources of publicly-available data, conducting assessments and writing reports. 

Trainings in this course bundle include:

• Data into Action for Tribes: Conducting a Community Health Assessment

• Data into Action for Tribes: Introduction to Epidemiology

• Data into Action for Tribes: Publicly-Available Data Sources

• Weaving the Threads of Culture: Working Effectively with American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN)

For more info about the DIA course bundle, please click here.

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