INTERNSHIP Program a Statewide Summer 8-Week Paid Opportunity to Learn and Work in a Local Public Health Setting
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Wisconsin AHEC Community Health INTERNSHIP Program a statewide summer 8-week paid opportunity to learn and work in a local public health setting 2016 Summary Report (June 6–July 29) Statewide CHIP: 66 students at 51 sites • Milwaukee CHIP: 17 students at 10 sites Wisconsin AHEC’s Community Health Internship Program (CHIP) What interns say about CHIP... links undergraduate and graduate student interns with health departments, community health centers, tribal health centers, and I was able to shadow the primary care community service agencies throughout Wisconsin to address a providers at Scenic Bluffs Community variety of public health issues. Health Center. My shadowing helped my application to medical school and made me more confident that I wanted Projects vary widely to suit interns’ interests and abilities, as well as to work in rural or underserved local needs. Interns are given opportunities to shadow a variety of programs. This experience also gave Overview public health professionals and participate in a web-based public me insight into the Hispanic, Amish, and health academic course (statewide CHIP) or weekly public health rural farm life. seminars (Milwaukee CHIP). Rebekah Fiers Scenic Bluffs Community Health Center On-site mentors provide technical support, assistance, and help interns gain an understanding and appreciation of the broad range Working with the Eau Claire City-County of public health activities undertaken at the local level. The program Health Department this summer has would not be possible without the dedication and commitment of opened many doors of connections these community health professionals, who enrich the educational and opportunities for the future. From shadowing different health inspectors experience for CHIP participants. at restaurants and pools, independently monitoring beaches, and working There is also a benefit to the communities where interns are placed. closely with local farmers, I feel I have Projects are proposed by the sponsoring agency or health depart- improved my skills in communication, ment and address local health priorities. Priority for placements is education outreach, critical thinking, given to local health departments and organizations working with and problem solving. I never would rural and underserved populations. have gained this experience from an in-class setting. Each intern’s work typically has an immediate, direct impact on the Tristin Christopher Eau Claire City-County local community or region, as highlighted in this report. Health Department My time with the Oneida County Health Outcomes Department helped me learn about resources available in my community, Student evaluations indicate that after participating in CHIP… which will help me as a future nurse to advocate for my patients. This 100% learned how to identify factors that affect health and internship gave me an opportunity to health equity within a community not only look at the patient’s health, but possible connections to the community’s health. I look forward 98% learned strategies for responding to the needs of to being a nurse in this region after underserved populations graduation in December. Beth Mors 98% gained insight into how interprofessional teamwork and Oneida County Health Department collaboration are adapted to serve a specific population NOTE: This Oneida County internship was financially supported by Aspirus. 98% learned strategies for working effectively in an I hope to one day work in the healthcare interprofessional team field, and seeing the local public health clinic has given me an insight into 96% increased their interest in working in health care shortage the many factors that impact health. One day, I hope to be a physician in and with underserved populations areas rural Wisconsin. I will be able to take the knowledge I have learned at Barron 98% increased interest in social justice and health equity issues County DHHS and use it to help my future patients. 100% felt that CHIP provided an opportunity to acquire skills and Alex Cuskey Barron County Department of knowledge that will be useful regardless of whether they decide Health and Human Services to work in public health NOTE: This Barron County internship was financially supported by the 100% had the opportunity learn about public health principles Bremer Foundation. and practice (Page 2) Wisconsin AHEC 2016 Community Health Internship Program [CHIP] — Summary Report Curriculum A unique aspect of this internship program is its academic curriculum. Statewide CHIP Orientation Day (June 3, 2016) Interns and mentors participated in a day-long session hosted at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. Topics and activities included: • Mentoring relationships • Health equity and social determinants of health • Community engagement • Public health panel • Poverty simulation Learn@UW Throughout the summer, Wisconsin AHEC provided online instruction about community and public health principles and practices. Interns participated remotely from their work sites. Activities included: • Webinars from experts in the field on national and local resources; public health advocacy; health policy; leadership; health equity and the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps • Sharing photographs, experiences, approaches to internship projects, emerging issues, and experiences working in host communities • Interviewing public health professionals • Writing letters to legislators and op-ed articles • Discussions of factors that influence public health; evidence-based policy, systems, and environmental changes that can impact health; and the role of power and partnerships in achieving community health • Final presentations and digital stories • Reflections on the CHIP experience The Learn@UW site also has evidence-based resources for interns and mentors, recent news and scholarly articles, volunteer and work opportunities, as well as forums for interns to interact with one another. Milwaukee CHIP Weekly Seminar Series Milwaukee CHIP interns attended community health presentations at weekly in-person seminars. Topics included: • Mental health • Poverty and health • Domestic violence • Global health • Epidemiology • Community health workers The Milwaukee interns also visited Walker’s Point Community Clinic, a free clinic for uninsured or underinsured, low income, and homeless, and CORE/El Centro, a natural healing center that provides alternative healing therapies. Wisconsin AHEC 2016 Community Health Internship Program [CHIP] — Summary Report (Page 3) Summer 2016 Host Sites Placement History Wisconsin AHEC’s statewide internship program has placed over 500 interns since 2002 in more than 60 health departments and 40 other agencies. Placements Milwaukee CHIP has placed over 450 students at Milwaukee-area sites since that program began in 2000. 2016 Totals by Host Site Type 40 Public Health Department 7 Community Organization 4 Hospital / Clinic 7 University 3 Tribal Health Department / Center Summer 2016 Projects Projects at each of the 61 sites cover multiple topics spanning all areas of public and community health, giving students a variety of experiences and allowing each site to address the needs and priorities of their community. Austin Gerdes, intern with Public Health Madison & Dane County, speaks with State Representative Dave Considine on behalf of area tobacco control and prevention coalitions. City of Milwaukee Health Stockbridge-Munsee Health & Wellness Department intern Rachel Center intern Kelly Loberger gathers Haas provides educational information about the fresh produce availability in local stores to help materials to local children. improve access to healthy, affordable, and sustainable foods. (Page 4) Wisconsin AHEC 2016 Community Health Internship Program [CHIP] — Summary Report 2016 Project Topics: E Environmental Health & Laboratory Sciences Q Quality/Health Improvement Assessments, Research / M Maternal & Child Health Evaluation & Information Technology N Nutrition, Obesity Prevention, & Physical Activity S Substance Use Prevention P Policy, Planning, and Accreditation W Wellness, Health Education, Outreach & Safety Host Site Project Title E Ashland County Health and Human Services Environmental Health Internship M W Aurora Sinai Medical Center Centering for Pregnancy Program Redevelopment P Q W Aurora Walkers Point Community Clinic Creating a Plan for Helping People Access Health Insurance E Barron County DHHS - Public Health Environmental Health in Barron County (2 interns) Q W Bread of Healing Clinic Database Development in and Exposure to the Bread of Healing Clinic E M N Q W Buffalo County Dept. of Health and Human Services Marketing and Promoting Public Health M N Q S W Calumet County Public Health Activity and Nutrition Coalition/Reduce Excessive Alcohol Coalition N W Chippewa County Department of Public Health Challenging Chippewa Through Changes in the Food Environment EMNPQSW Clark County Health Department Welcome to local public health! N W CORE/El Centro Community Farm Outreach Coordinator P Q Dodge County Human Services and Health Dept. Performance Management Plan Q W Eau Claire City-County Health Department Evaluating Outcomes of Health Department and Community Coalition Work E Q Eau Claire City-County Health Department Environmental Health Experience: Beach Testing, Blue Green Algae and West Nile Virus Research E Fond du Lac County Health Department Environmental Health Internship P Q W Fond du Lac County Health Department Using Data to Drive our Transition to a Population Health Focused Health Department