The UW Office of Public Health Practice held the 27th Annual MPH Practicum Symposium and Reception on April 9, followed by virtual presentations the following week on April 14-17. Alongside students from all UW School of Public Health departments, students from the HSPop MPH and Online MPH programs presented their practicum projects.
MPH students from the Department of Health Systems and Population Health presented on issues ranging from disaster preparedness to treatment for opioid use disorder.
HSPop MPH and Online MPH students worked on public health practice initiatives such as improving access to food security, health screenings, reproductive care, and mental health services. They also looked at community health engagement, as well as cancer and injury prevention.
With oversight from faculty advisors and site supervisors from several health departments and organizations, our MPH students gained experience serving Indigenous and Latinx populations, as well as Medicare recipients, women, immigrants, children, uninsured patients, and several other groups. Partner sites included the Andy Center, Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, UW Medical Center, Public Health – Seattle & King County, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Access Delivered, Porsesh Policy Research Institute, Northwest Health Law Advocates, and so many more.
VIEW THE FULL LIST OF PROJECTS, STUDENTS & PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
Out of nearly 100 presenters, Shalom Mhlanga was one of three students to receive the Most Memorable interACTIONS Award.
Most Memorable interACTIONS is an attendee-voted recognition for the most engaging presentations at the in-person symposium. Mhlanga’s project involved developing a podcast titled “Foodborne” in partnership with the Washington State Department of Health and the Washington Integrated Food Safety Center of Excellence.
“This project allowed me to apply my skills in outbreak investigation research, scriptwriting, and health communication while exploring innovative ways to make public health education engaging and accessible to emerging professionals.”
-Shalom Mhlanga, Health Systems and Population Health MPH student
Another notable project came from Online MPH student Nicole Chicoine. She was featured on the SPH blog earlier this year for her work on how immigrant health is impacted by employment barriers.
More than a celebration, the MPH Practicum Symposium is a chance for students to showcase their work to peers, faculty, and community partners.
Every Master of Public Health student at the University of Washington is required to complete a practicum project mid-way through their graduate program. Through this experience, students apply the disciplinary knowledge, methods, and values from the MPH classroom to a professional, public health environment. Host sites include nonprofit organizations, hospitals, local and state health departments, and for-profit firms.
This work culminates at the Annual MPH Practicum Symposium, where second-year MPH students from every department in the UW School of Public Health participate. The only exception comes from the COPHP MPH program. Their first-year students present practicum projects at a seperate event in June.
The UW Office of Public Health Practice held the 27th Annual MPH Practicum Symposium and Reception on April 9, followed by virtual presentations the following week on April 14-17.
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Daveena Kaur. Photo by Megha Ramaswamy -
Janice North, Caroline Chilcott, and Dean Hilary Godwin. Photo by Lauren Szychowski. -
Nicole Chicoine. Photo by Wade Angeli. -
Shauntel Thomas. Photo by Lauren Szychowski. -
P.J. Boogard. Photo by Lauren Szychowski. -
Lily Monsey. Photo by Lauren Szychowski. -
Katie Ettl. Photo by Lauren Szychowski. -
Emmalie Griswold. Photo by Megha Ramaswamy. -
Melissa Resendiz-Rivas, Nicole Larsen, and Reiley Duerre. Photo by Lauren Szychowski. -
Stephanie Lippincott. Photo by Wade Angeli. -
Gina Liu. Photo by Lauren Szychowski. -
Shalom Mhlanga. Photo by Lauren Szychowski.