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
- Florida Department of Health Walton County, DeFuniak Springs, FL – This position may have a hybrid or remote option. See posting for details. Deadline to apply is April 19, 2024.
Mississippi
- Converge Partners in Access, Ridgeland, MS – A hybrid or remote option may be available for this position. Deadline to apply is April 12, 2024.
North Carolina
- Carteret County Health Department, Morehead City, NC – This position has a hybrid option. Deadline to apply is April 1, 2024.
- Chatham County Public Health Department, Pittsboro, NC – A hybrid or remote option may be available for this position, see posting for details. Deadline to apply is April 30, 2024.
- Durham County Health Department, Durham, NC – This position has a hybrid option. Deadline to apply is April 12, 2024.
South Carolina
- Conway County Health Department, Conway, SC – This position has a hybrid option. Deadline to apply is April 1, 2024.
- Florence County Health Department, Florence, SC – This position has a hybrid option. Deadline to apply is April 1, 2024.
- South Carolina Department of Health, Columbia, SC – A hybrid option may be available for this position. Deadline to apply is April 1, 2024.
- Sumter County Health Department, Sumter, SC – This position has a hybrid option. Deadline to apply is April 1, 2024.
Tennessee
- Homeland Heart Birth & Wellness Collective, Nashville, TN – This placement will be 100% in-person. Deadline to apply is April 12, 2024.
Past Field Placements
Learn about the selected past field placement experiences. Click on a student to read their story.
Carmen Cummings
Helps to Improve Sexual Health Education in Mississippi
Gwendolyn McNeil
Contributes to a Health Equity Community Health Assessment at the Durham County Department of Public Health
Shelby Ackermann
Helps Implement Biosecurity Strategies to Mitigate the Spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Alabama
Sadie Taylor
Practices Community Harm Reduction Strategies in Kentucky
Philip Rosenbaum
Analyzes Data from the National Survey of Children’s Health to Understand Adverse Childhood Experiences in Georgia
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Works with the Commissioner of Health for the State of Tennessee on Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome