Date of Conferral

7-20-2026

Date of Award

July 2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Health Sciences

Advisor

DeBran Tarver

Abstract

North Dakota’s declining health outcomes and continued disparities demonstrate a need for a coordinated, multisector approach to statewide health improvement. This qualitative case study examined stakeholder perceptions of the initial effectiveness and potential sustainability of the Multi‑Partner Health Collaborative (MPHC) in advancing the State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP). Using systems theory (ST), the study explored how executive leadership, the steering committee, and goal groups function as interdependent subsystems whose alignment, communication, and feedback loops influence overall performance. Semi-structured interviews, analyzed thematically, reflected the patterns related to collaboration, SHIP implementation, barriers to effectiveness, and factors shaping long-term sustainability. Stakeholders generally viewed the MPHC as an effective multisector collaborative, with goal group participants reporting the strongest collaboration and alignment with SHIP. Steering committee members identified communication challenges and limited engagement, while executive leaders emphasized the importance of structural support, such as backbone capacity and stability. Participants described sustainability as dependent on strong leadership, funding, communication, and ongoing backbone support. Findings indicate that the MPHC has a strong foundation and, with targeted improvements, can evolve into a sustainable and scalable model for improving population health in North Dakota. The insights offer guidance for strengthening communication, clarifying roles, and enhancing multisector coordination in statewide health initiatives, supporting positive social change through more equitable, coordinated, long‑term population health improvements.

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