Dhitinut Ratnapradipa, Ph.D., CHES

Environmental Health Program Manager

Rhode Island Department of Health

Office of Environmental Health Risk Assessment

Division of Environmental Health

Providence, RI 02908

Biography

Dr. Dhitinut Ratnapradipa has worked for the Office of Environmental Health Risk Assessment, Environmental Health Division, Rhode Island Department of Health, since 2002.  He coordinates environmental health risk programs related to mercury exposures in Rhode Island including Biomonitoring, Poison Control Center, and Fish Advisories.  He is an investigator for Biomonitoring - Cord Blood Study, and for Southeast Asian Community Fish Ingestion Study.  Dr. Ratnapradipa is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Community Medicine at Brown University School of Medicine.  He has served as a Co-Chair of Health Science and Biology Divisions for the Utah Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters, and editorial board member of the Journal of the Utah Academy.  He was a member of the review board for the SOPHE/CDC/ATSDR Graduate Fellowship.      

Dhitinut Ratnapradipa was trained as a environmental biologist.  His BS (Biology) and MS (Environmental Technology) focused on the toxicity of Bacillus Sphrearicus to non- target organisms.  He received BA in Economics and MPA in Organizational Behavior.  His Ph.D. from the University of Utah was focused on safe food-handling practices among immigrants.

Leadership Development Opportunities

I am thankful to the CDC/NCEH/ATSDR for its commitment to providing advanced leadership, resources and funding for environmental health professional development. 

It has been time well spent for me.  National Environmental Public Health Leadership Institute (EPHLI) was well organized, from logistics to curriculum.  The curriculum was comprehensive in that it introduced several different leadership and psychological models and provided guided application of them to a single project.  The competency-based approach of applying the various models and receiving continuing feedback as it related to my project provided me with a wide range of tools for future development projects.  In addition, by participating in this institute, I have refined my knowledge of my own personal leadership strengths and challenges. 

EPHLI has been very intensive in terms of time commitment and structured assignments.  Although I was aware of the basic components of this leadership training opportunity, I didn't realize how comprehensively the project would integrate the training materials.  At times I struggled with my project, trying to see how the different models applied to a project that depended so much on the contributions of external participants. 

The people also made the program a success.  Mentors were dedicated to providing support to fellows as needed.  The role of mentor was valuable particularly in fostering my project development and enhancing the learning experience.  Cohort and smaller team interactions created an atmosphere conducive to developing long-lasting networks and will continued to be highly valued.