Leveraging Students and Volunteers to Increase Capacity
Greendale Public Health Department staff highlight how intentionally considered use of public health students, limited term staff, and volunteers can expand agency capacity without additional funding. By investing time in strong onboarding, orientation, and team integration, the agency successfully supported interns and volunteers in taking ownership of meaningful projects—helping them meet goals despite staffing shortages. This example demonstrates practical, scalable strategies other agencies can use to maximize impact while supporting the next generation of the public health workforce.
The PHIG Spotlight Series is a platform for Wisconsin public health departments to share their experiences, lessons learned, and barriers encountered while implementing programs or policies. The goal is to foster shared learning, collaboration, and innovation across public health agencies.
Presentation Resources
- Presentation recording (YouTube)
- Presentation slides
About the Presenters
Ashley Haas is the Public Health Director and Health Officer for the Village of Greendale. A registered nurse with a background in critical care, she transitioned into public health to focus on prevention and community well-being in 2017. Ashley holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a certificate in public management, and a Master of Public Administration. Since stepping into the Health Officer role in 2021, she has been dedicated to building trust and helping her community be as healthy and happy as possible.
Megan Mermal is a Public Health Strategist for the Village of Greendale. Megan earned her degree in health and wellness management, where she developed a holistic understanding of how environments, behavior, and systems shape health. Since starting with the Greendale Health Department in 2021, Megan has played a key role in advancing community health by leading and managing the community health assessment and community health improvement plan, while fostering strong engagement with community volunteers and partner organizations.