North Dakota Public Health Association

10/24/2026

📚 Scholarship Opportunity!

Investing in education means investing in the future of our communities! 💙

The American Indian College Fund offers scholarship opportunities for eligible American Indian and Alaska Native students, including those pursuing graduate degrees.

Know a student who could benefit? Help spread the word by sharing this opportunity!

The American Indian College Fund offers scholarships averaging $2,000–$3,000 to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native students, including those pursuing graduate degrees!

Who is eligible?
✅ Enrolled members of a federally or state-recognized tribe, or descendants of enrolled members
✅ Students with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
✅ Students enrolled full-time at an accredited nonprofit college or university

Students only need to complete one application to be considered for multiple scholarship opportunities!

📅 Spring Application Deadline: January 25 (for newly enrolled spring students)

Learn more about eligibility and apply: https://collegefund.org/students/scholarships/college-students/

10/01/2026

📣Event Update: October 6 NDSU Public Health Seminar Cancelled📣

NDSU has shared that its October 6 Public Health Seminar featuring Dr. Alonzo L. Plough has been cancelled due to unexpected medical circumstances involving the speaker.

We know many were looking forward to this conversation and send our well wishes to Dr. Plough.

NDPHA appreciates NDSU’s continued efforts to bring public health leaders to North Dakota and create opportunities for our community to learn, connect and exchange ideas. We encourage you to watch for future NDSU Public Health Seminars!

Thank you for your understanding. If the event is rescheduled, we’ll share updated information.

09/22/2026

Last Thursday, September 17, NDPHA members gathered at the Mandan Public Library for a day of learning, collaboration and planning!

We heard from public health association leaders in Oklahoma, Minnesota and Iowa, who shared their experiences and insights. Members also worked together to begin strategic planning for NDPHA and discuss how we can continue strengthening our organization and supporting public health across North Dakota.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to the conversation! ☺️

09/16/2026

🎉Public health advocacy makes a difference!🎉

In May, NDPHA members adopted a resolution proposing a ban on kratom and requesting action from the Governor. We are so thankful to NDPHA member Barb Frydenlund, who volunteered to author the resolution on behalf of the association.

Earlier this month, Governor Armstrong called a special legislative session to address the issue and signed a bill banning synthetic kratom and restricting the sale of natural kratom to people ages 21 and older.

With a vision that every person in North Dakota can live their healthiest life, NDPHA is proud to be a state leader in promoting and advocating for the public’s health.

Today North Dakota lawmakers passed House Bill 1628 banning synthetic kratom products and restricting the sale of natural kratom products to those ages 21 and older while also requiring accurate labeling.

This marks a victory for public health and safety, keeping dangerous synthetic kratom products off the shelves and protecting our young people from the adverse and unknown long-term effects of natural kratom.

I have now signed the bill, and the sale of kratom remains prohibited in North Dakota until administrative rules are implemented in accordance with HB 1628.

We appreciate the Legislature convening in special session and working hard to pass a meaningful law that protects the well-being of our citizens. We especially want to thank Senate Majority Leader David Hogue, Sen. Michelle Axtman, Rep. Pat Heinert and Attorney General Drew Wrigley for their leadership on this issue.

https://www.governor.nd.gov/news/updated-armstrong-signs-bill-banning-synthetic-kratom-restricting-natural-kratom-21-and-older

09/14/2026

🎉 Celebrating NDPHA Advocacy in Action! 🎉

Chelsea Ridge recently provided testimony on behalf of NDPHA to the Kratom Workgroup, sharing our association’s support for prohibiting the sale of kratom and kratom-containing products in North Dakota.

Chelsea serves as Chair of NDPHA’s Alcohol, To***co and Other Drugs Section and Policy and Advocacy Committee. Her testimony highlighted NDPHA’s 2026 resolution supporting this important public health action.

We are grateful for Chelsea’s leadership and advocacy leading up to the Legislature’s discussion of North Dakota’s kratom ban during the special legislative session earlier this month.

Read NDPHA’s full resolution here:https://www.ndpha.org/resources/Documents/PolicyAdvocacy/Resolutions/2026/ResolutionKratom.pdf

08/13/2026

🎉 North Dakota public health leadership on the national stage! 🎉

NDPHA is proud to celebrate two of our members and local public health leaders who have been elected to leadership roles on the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) 2026–2027 Board of Directors!

👏 Renae Moch, MBA, FACMPE, Public Health Director at Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health, will serve as President-Elect.

👏 Patricia Bisch-Steinke, RN, BSN, Administrator and Director of Nursing at Kidder County District Health Unit, will serve as an At-Large Director.

What an incredible representation of North Dakota’s local public health system at the national level! We are proud to see Renae and Tricia bringing their leadership, experience and North Dakota perspective to NACCHO.

Please join us in congratulating Renae and Tricia on these well-deserved roles! 🥳

Read the full NACCHO announcement and meet the 2026–2027 Board of Directors at the link below:
https://www.naccho.org/blog/articles/naccho-announces-its-2026-2027-board-of-directors

08/13/2026

FREE car seat checks going on NOW until 2pm at the Cavalier County Courthouse. Come ensure that your child is riding safely in your car. 🚗❤️

08/10/2026

Did you know North Dakota helped lead the way in food and drug safety in the United States?

Dr. Edwin Ladd, founder of the North Dakota State University School of Pharmacy, was a pioneer in protecting the public’s health. His work helped establish North Dakota’s Pure Food Act in 1903, followed by legislation addressing drug safety—groundbreaking efforts that helped shape later federal food and drug protections.

This Dakota Datebook podcast episode offers a fascinating look at Dr. Ladd’s work and North Dakota’s role in advancing public health protections.

More than a century later, it’s also a reminder of why a strong governmental public health infrastructure continues to matter. From food safety to emerging outbreaks, including the current cyclosporiasis outbreak, these public health protections remain essential today.

🎧 Listen to the Dakota Datebook episode below to learn more about this piece of North Dakota public health history.

Food contamination was a common problem in the early 20th century. Contaminants that would shock us today were routinely found in food products. Sawdust was added to coffee, and chalk was added to milk to improve its appearance. Vivid colors for candy were created with lead, arsenic, coal tar, and c...

07/20/2026

Congratulations to NDPHA member Steph Welsh on attending the recent American Public Health Association Boot Camp!

Steph was honored to be elected as an NDPHA officer, representing North Dakota public health, connecting with APHA leaders from across the country, and learning new ways to strengthen and elevate public health across our state.

Thank you for representing North Dakota so well, Steph, and for being a strong advocate for public health! 🎉

07/15/2026

Be sure to check out this FREE webinar on vaccinations, presented by fellow NDPHA member and NDSU CIRE Operations Director Kylie Hall!

See the post below for registration details. Hope to see you there! 😀