Interview with Dr. Walker Tisdale III
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Highlights from this episode:
- The current state of suicide prevention from a expert suicidoligist
- Why community involvement is essential for successful suicide prevention initiatives.
- Why education and training are crucial for effective public health practice.
- What he learned from working as a broadcast journalist and how he transitioned learnings to public health
- Importance of being patient with your career journey and aiming higher in your career aspirations
Episode 250 of Public Health Careers
Dr. Walker Tisdale III is a nationally recognized leader in suicide prevention and behavioral health equity.
He currently serves as the Director of Outreach for Suicide Prevention Initiatives at Johns Hopkins University, where he leads campus-wide mental health strategies focused on accessibility, skill-building, and community connection.
He has over two decades of public health experience, his expertise spans suicide prevention, non-profit capacity building, mass media, policy analysis, and higher education.
Dr. Tisdale conferred a Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism at Northern Michigan University. He then worked as a Senior Public Health Educator Trainer, NYC Department of Health.
He then went on to pursue a Master of Public Health in Community Health at Hunter College. During this time, he was a Public Health Analyst at the CDC where he was assignment in Entebbe, Uganda.
Later, Dr. Tisdale conferred a MA in Social Service Administration at University of Chicago. While here, he held the role of Associate Director at the Alzheimer’s Association before a role as Senior Prevention Training Manager at Howard Brown Health.
He then transitioned to Director of Suicide Prevention for Georgia Department of Behavioral Health. Then held role as Public Health Analyst at SAMHSA.
Dr. Tisdale then conferred Doctor of Social Work at University of Kentucky. He is also currently pursuing a PhD in Health Professions Education at University of Maryland.
He currently holds the role of Director of Outreach, Suicide Prevention Initiatives Johns Hopkins University.
Links from show
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz
Center for Suicide Prevention at Johns Hopkins University
Connect with Guest
Dr. Walker Tisdale III on LinkedIn