Region IV Pathways to Practice Scholars Field Placement Program

The Pathways to Practice Scholars program provides an opportunity for current public health students to gain practical experience working with seasoned public health practitioners (mentors) serving or working on behalf of underserved communities or populations. All field placements are intended to enhance a student’s professional skills and knowledge while giving them the opportunity to use skills learned in the classroom. Broad areas that might be addressed by a field placement experience are: epidemiology or biostatistics, health policy, health management, health promotion and education, global health, health communications, environmental health, or refugee health.  A limited number of awarded student scholars will be placed in organizations in the Region IV Public Health Training Center’s eight states, which are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. View the Field Placement Program infographic.

PROGRAM DETAILS

Student Scholar Award and Recognition

Students selected to be a Pathways to Practice Scholar will receive an award total of $3500 for the field placement program from the R-IV PHTC Central Office at Emory University.

Student Scholar Support

All student scholars will work directly with a seasoned public health practitioner who will be their mentor. In addition, the Field Placement Manager will provide all scholars with orientation to the field placement program and ongoing support and assistance.

Student Scholar Commitments

In addition to agency deliverables, students will be expected to develop the following items in conjunction with mentors:

  • Competency-based Work Plan
  • Field Placement Report*
  • Photos of Experience

* If a student is using this field placement to complete a practicum or graduation requirement for their own institution, the student should contact Elizabeth Kidwell (elkidwell@emory.edu) at the R-IV PHTC to inquire if those deliverables can be used to meet the Student Scholar commitments. In addition to the requirements of this program, student scholars will be expected to abide by all the policies and procedures of the institution where they are enrolled.

STUDENT SCHOLAR RESOURCES

Downloadable Files

UPCOMING FIELD PLACEMENTS

2023-2024 Field Placement Positions

The following agencies will host 2023-2024 Pathways to Practice Scholars. Public health graduate students from accredited schools/programs in the eight Southeastern states in Region IV can apply. Please refer to specific job postings for detailed instructions on how to apply. Interested students should apply as soon as possible. Applications are reviewed and considered as they are received. Submit applications to Elizabeth Kidwell at elkidwell@emory.edu.

NOTE: To apply to more than one posting, submit separate applications specifying the position title in the subject line. Be strategic and apply to the positions that are the best fit for your academic and/or career goals.

Summer 2024

Florida

Mississippi

North Carolina

South Carolina

Tennessee

Past Field Placements

Learn about the selected past field placement experiences. Click on a student to read their story.

Kenneth Swaringer

Addresses Barriers Associated with Lung Cancer Screening for At-Risk Individuals

Carmen Cummings

Helps to Improve Sexual Health Education in Mississippi

Philip Rosenbaum

Gwendolyn McNeil

Contributes to a Health Equity Community Health Assessment at the Durham County Department of Public Health

Philip Rosenbaum

Shelby Ackermann

Helps Implement Biosecurity Strategies to Mitigate the Spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Alabama

Philip Rosenbaum

Sadie Taylor

Practices Community Harm Reduction Strategies in Kentucky

Philip Rosenbaum

Philip Rosenbaum

Analyzes Data from the National Survey of Children’s Health to Understand Adverse Childhood Experiences in Georgia

Andrea Johnson

Andrea Johnson

Works to Identify and Expand Recognition of Community Health Workers in South Carolina

Kayla Torres

Tackles COVID-19 Health Disparities in Underserved and Rural Populations in Alabama

Fiona Bock

Documents the Efforts of the ACOG District IV HER Care Committee to Decrease Disparities in Women’s Health

Cameron Nix

Implements Patient Advisory Council for Novant Health Infectious Disease Specialists

Zach Hartley

Goes “Behind the Scenes” in Public Health Planning

Yasmin Goreja

Creates “Love Your Lungs” Program

Timothy Nielsen

Emilie Martin

Helps Serve the Uninsured in Southern Middle Tennessee

Jennifer Drey

Develops DASH Diet Curriculum

Dawn Mopatano

Assess Opioid Epidemic Needs in Rural Alabama

Angela Lupo

Manages Nutrition Education Program

Timothy Nielsen

Christina Faulk

Assess Childhood Homelessness as a Risk Factor for Opioid Misuse

Jenesha Nance

Helps Low-Income South Carolinians Thrive

Jamad Smith

Focuses on the Role of Telemedicine During the Pandemic

Matthew Barrett's

Fieldwork Pivots in Response to Coronavirus Pandemic

Timothy Nielsen

Senthil Ananthan

Contributes to the Jefferson County Department of Health Community Health Improvement Plan

Christopher Elmlinger

Updates Tennessee’s 12 Vital Signs

Lucas Nesladek

Organizes Health Fair for Men Experiencing Homelessness in Alabama

Katie Bennett

Advances Harm Reduction

Timothy Nielsen

Tarre Stanley, Jr.

Identifies Behavioral Healthcare Gaps in Alabama

Reneishia Dogan

Links Memphis’ Transgender Community with Resources

Jordan Helms

Examines Barriers to Healthcare

Megan Surles

Assists with PHAB Accreditation Process

Timothy Nielsen

Rebecca Hollenbach

Builds Relationships that Get Results

Sarah Dupont

Supports Healthcare Delivery for Migrant Farmworkers

Emily Alford

Examines Opioid and E-Cigarette Use in Rural Appalachia

Daniel Buck

Becomes Staff at Columbus County Health Department

Timothy Nielsen

Samina Karim

Provides HIV Testing and Counseling

Neil Horsley

Analyzes Spikes in Influenza Mortality

Kisa Harris

Cultivates Roots in Community-Based Participatory Research

Artaveya Ingram

Helps Medically Underserved Communities

Timothy Nielsen

Timothy Nielsen

Works with the Commissioner of Health for the State of Tennessee on Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

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