MPHI CEO Dr. Renée Branch Canady was recently interviewed for a Community Highlight story in VoyageMichigan, a magazine committed to spotlighting hidden gems and untold success stories across Michigan. The article explored Dr. Canady’s background of service to the field of public health and higher education, her approach to leadership, an overview of MPHI’s work, and her thoughts on overcoming challenges and necessary risk-taking.
“Whether practicing public health in local or state government, serving higher education as an administrator and professor, or leading in the non-profit arena, I have grown in service to others. Today, as a published author and CEO, I strive to motivate and challenge leaders– to push them to think keenly, listen deeply, and act intentionally,” said Dr. Canady. “In other words, to lead with courage and humility to advance the change needed for every generation, in every era. Leading through relationship and difference has been my personal and professional purpose and I am grateful for the public health platform from which I have served.”
The field of public health is rife with significant and unique challenges. Experiences encountered in daily life impact the health of individuals and communities alike. Public health is a critical field because it affects everyone, including those working to advance it. Dr. Canady shared that the profound impact of public health on her own personal experiences helped shape her own career.
“My passion and purpose have been the fuel that propelled me through professional and personal struggles. My greatest challenge was the premature death of my first-born son when he was six months old,” Dr. Canady shared. “Ironically, this deep personal loss profoundly influenced my professional career. Infant mortality became the focus of my dissertation and research, as well as a key topic for keynote addresses. Loss in my life contributed to gain.”
Public health is complex and often exists beyond the realm of common understanding, but under Dr. Canady, MPHI is working alongside other nonprofit and governmental entities to expand public health knowledge and create a better, healthier future for all. With a unique perspective as a close partner to state and local health departments across Michigan, MPHI helps drive research and innovation to improve health outcomes for all Michigan residents.
“At a time when governmental entities are often misunderstood and criticized, MPHI stands as a beacon of governmental innovation and a platform for transformation. MPHI was established in 1989 by the Michigan legislature as a quasi-governmental entity and partnership between academic institutions and the state to advance the health of Michiganders,” said Dr. Canady. “MPHI is one of 51 public health institutes in the nation, but the only one established in statute.”
To read the full article, visit:
Community Highlights: Meet Renee Branch Canady of MPHI – MI Public Health Institute – Voyage Michigan Magazine
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