Association of Montana Public Health Officials (AMPHO)

Mission

Strengthen public health leadership in Montana’s 56 counties and 8 tribal health departments.  

AMPHO’s shared mission with the Montana Public Health Association and the Montana Environmental Health Association through Confluence Public Health Alliance is to unite environmental and public health professionals and amplify their impact on the health of all Montanans.  AMPHO serves as the unofficial state affiliate (SACCHO) to the National Association of County and City Health Officials.

History

AMPHO was established in 2006 as the professional membership association for lead local and tribal health officials. AMPHO’s original purpose was to impact policy and serve as a conduit between decentralized, local health departments and the State of Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. AMPHO serves unofficially as state affiliate (SACCHO) to the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO). 

AMPHO affirmed its role in Montana’s public health system and set new strategic directions in May 2022.

AMPHO invites all local and tribal health departments to join AMPHO.  

  • • Regular peer-to-peer calls with similarly sized jurisdictions,

    • Public Health Alliance, the lead public health advocacy organization for Montana managing grassroots advocacy and direct lobbying at the local, state, and federal levels,

    • Weekly policy update calls during the 2023 Montana Legislature

    • Conduit between local public health and DPHHS, DEQ, other state and federal agencies to make certain that opportunities, decisions, rules, and policies are responsive to AMPHO members,

    • Ongoing professional development opportunities such as in-person and virtual scholarships to attend national conferences (NACCHO 360)

    • Connected Community peer-to-peer sharing platform, as well as,

    • Voice on coalitions and in partnerships.

  • Melissa Moyer, AMPHO Chair | Public Health Director, Teton County

    Stefanie Harrington, Vice Chair | Public Health Director, Carter County

    Dr. Laurel Desnick, Treasurer | Health Officer, Park County

    Drenda Niemann, Director | Health Officer, Lewis & Clark Public Health

    Lori Christenson, Director | Health Officer, Gallatin City-County

    Amy Shaw, Director | Public Health Director, Pondera County

    Pam Hanna, Director | Public Health Director, Jefferson County

    Brittney Petersen, Director | Administrator, Richland County Health Department

    Kim Berg, Director | Public Health Director, Hill County

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