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PRACTICUM MATTERS
The UICSPH Practicum/Field Experience Newsletter—Fall 2015
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Improving the Lives of Chicago School Children
Although many MPH students complete their program on a full-time basis, we have a fair number of part-time students who work full-time positions that are not directly related to public health. For these students, the field practicum can be more than just another degree requirement—it is often an eye-opening experience. HPA student Deanna Bellandi was one of those who learned firsthand how public health initiatives can provide Chicago school children a better learning experience, and thus a better life.
“I spent my summer semester working at Communities In Schools of Chicago (CISC) at its office in Greektown—it was a fantastic summer! CISC is a national non-profit that helps connect schools with much-needed programs. The organization works with 125 Chicago public schools and about 170 different community partners. The mission is to surround students with a community of support to help them learn and succeed in school and life. Last school year, CISC helped more than 60,000 students across the city access an array of programs and services in areas like the arts, college and career readiness, healthcare, and behavioral/mental health. All the services are free.
Deanna Bellandi (center) confers with Katrina Pavlik (left) and preceptor Karen Roddi
“A highlight of what I did was contribute to a literature review of best-practices for effective health promotion programs that CISC can share with its community partners. As part of that project, I helped conduct expert interviews before drafting the initial version of
this document for CISC. I did qualitative and quantitative data analysis for the Community
Partnership team, both on a partner survey and a core competency checklist. I also used Microsoft Excel to analyze data, and learned how to construct and use pivot tables.
“The field experience was the perfect complement to my formal MPH coursework because of its strong focus on identifying effective elements of health promotion and the knowledge I gained about implementing public health programs in schools in the real world. I gained a greater appreciation for the struggles of non-profits, agencies, and schools around implementing public health initiatives for
Karen, Deanna, and Katrina proudly pose with the CISC sign.
everything from sexual health education, to obesity prevention and mental health services. I also gained knowledge about the financing arm of non-profit work by spending some time with CISC development officials. The best public health programs won’t work if there is no funding for agencies such as CISC to push them out to students.
“My summer practicum has so far been a highlight of my MPH program. With 25 years of work experience, it gave me new experiences and exposed me to real-life public health work.”
Brownfield Re-use: Public Health Implications of the Environment
It’s not often that more than one UIC SPH student can be working on the same practicum project, let alone students from different divisions. The Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry’s (ATSDR) Brownfield Re-use Initiative is one such project that has engaged students from both EOHS and Epidemiology. Nayila Mulati and Jeff Graupner reflect on their experience under their preceptor Dr. Laurel Berman, an alumna of the UIC School of Public Health.
Nayila Mulati
“The ATSDR Brownfield/Land Reuse Health Initiative helps communities incorporate health considerations in land reuse decisions. People can turn vacant or under-used land into places that benefit the whole area. ATSDR works with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), state and local officials, developers, and communities to include health in these types of projects.
“Over the years, the ATSDR gave funding to several communities all over the United States to help them revitalize their community associated with brownfields. Our work is to interview those grantees all over the country and to write up stories to make available to the public.
“For the first stage, I did much research on the ATSDR Web site in terms of brownfields/land reuse site in seven areas of the United States, corresponding to the seven ATSDR grantees, and completely familiarized myself on all aspects of brownfield problems that correlate to communities. I was amazed by the fact that even one change on a brownfield can significantly improve a community’s economics, education, and most importantly overall health.
“Next, our team contacted different grantees to ask them about their project, including background of the project, early outcomes, success, and challenges to get the first draft of their story. The challenge that we faced is how to get their responses in a short time. They are all busy people, and sometimes it slowed down our progress. In addition, we also needed further follow up with them to get information on some missing points. Nevertheless, once we get all of the information that we are looking for, we can start our first draft and finish it quickly.
“My favorite part of the project was seeing how the community uses existing and extra resources to revitalize the community. Moreover, throughout the practicum we went out and saw those communities. It was quite fascinating to see real issues in person to get a vivid picture of the community’s problems that we were working on.”
Jeff Graupner
“When I first learned of a potential opportunity to work with the ATSDR and their Brownfield Re-use Initiative, I was excited yet wholly unaware of many aspects involved in such an internship. My excitement stemmed from the fact that I had recently discovered an interest in environmental epidemiology. And yet, beyond a vague definition of a brownfield, I was not sure exactly how a federal program like the ATSDR functions to improve community health by addressing problematic brownfield sites. Even though I’m only halfway through my practicum, I can get a firsthand glimpse of how national programs successfully interact with local committees to better the health and wellness of communities.
Front row seated: Nayila Mulati, Vidya Mohanam, and Dr. Laurel Berman
Back row standing: DePaul Student Mariane Magbama and Jeff Graupner
“Working closely with Dr. Laurel Berman of the ATSDR, as well as an EHOS grad student Nayila Mulati, our specific project has been to compile the success stories of communities who have been awarded grants through the Brownfield Initiative. Eleven grantees, scattered throughout the U.S., each applied for federal funding to tackle problems in their communities left in the wake of unused, and often hazardous, land. While each story is certainly different, the common themes have been made quite clear. For one, brownfields can have lasting and pervasive effects on communities beyond some of the more obvious effects. A community with a poor
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image of itself can aggravate health and economic problems already present: unemployment, vacant housing, substance abuse, etc. Another common theme, however, is the coming together of the community to do something about these problems. Committees are formed and meetings are held, all in the effort to proactively make a real difference in their surroundings.
“It has been inspirational for me to see this process of communities addressing local problems using national funding. At the same time, however, there are clear challenges that also are common themes across the board. Trust between community members, academics, and federal employees is absolutely crucial and something that needs to be built over time. Since many of these cities and towns are underserved in many aspects, trust is not necessarily a commodity easy to come by. However, after talking with Dr. Serap Erdal, a grantee for Southeastern Chicago and Blue Island as well as a professor at UIC, I’ve learned that relationships between community members will take time but have much to offer. By helping a community help itself, scientists and public health workers can do their part to better communities. As I continue to write up stories of grantees from across the country, I will certainly continue to be inspired by people willing to take a stand for a healthier sustainable future.”
The Vitality of Public Health Policy
Since the UIC SPH began its undergraduate program in 2012, we have seen more and more students engaged in the all-important field experience, introducing them to the realities of public health practice. Amnah Mohammed learned firsthand the crucial role policy plays and is helping her to shape some long-term career goals in the process.
Undergraduate Amnah Mohammed discusses data with her preceptor Luvia Quinones
“I am completing my fieldwork practicum at the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR). One of my learning objectives at ICIRR is to promote public health by presenting it in a well-informed manner. So far, I have made progress toward this objective by helping to prepare a map of Cook County along with a list of the corresponding municipalities, which was used to determine if residents lived within boundary lines and eligible to participate in ICIRR’s new healthcare program for the uninsured.
“Beyond my learning objectives though, my internship at ICIRR has taught me one very important thing about public health. I have learned that the importance of policy cannot be neglected. If public health professionals want to be advocates for change on any type of cause, they have got to make sure that existing policies are on their side. If not, then change has got to begin at the policy level before any success can be seen.
Amnah and Luvia pose outside the ICIRR office
“Being an intern at ICIRR has certainly given me the opportunity to be part of future policy change and see what it’s really like to be on the forefront of the health policy arena. Some of my work included entering survey data, which will go toward enacting policies regarding healthcare for predominantly Latino/Latina residents in Chicago. I am also in the middle of researching an alternative healthcare program for the uninsured in order to help ICIRR see what else is out there and what other counties are doing. I hope to continue learning about, and being exposed to, public health and policy at ICIRR; and I know that such an experience will truly benefit me once I enter the field.”
Public Health Practice in Oral Health
Wanda Laszcz’s practicum experience with the American Dental Association (ADA) is another example, like Deanna Bellandi’s (page 1), of an accomplished professional who learned more from the practicum than she anticipated. Caring for the dental needs of the elderly gave Wanda a broader perspective of oral health that she hadn’t experienced through her own practice. As you will see, the ADA practicum may influence Wanda’s work for years to come.
Wanda Laszcz (right) reviews a report with her preceptor, Dr. Barbara Smith.
“My learning objectives include gaining an enhanced understanding of organizational issues and challenges, and completing a defined project in an area of public health practice. I am making progress toward both of these during my practicum at the American Dental Association (ADA). My preceptor, Dr. Barbara Smith, is the Manager of Geriatrics and Special Needs Population with the Council on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations.
“Increasingly, older adults arriving at the long-term care facility are not denture wearers but have their natural teeth. The deterioration of their oral health during their stay can severely impact quality of life and systemic health. Some older adults rely on Medicaid to help pay for their dental treatment. Unfortunately, state budgets are tight, and adult dental services are often cut from Medicaid benefits. However, the Incurred Medical Expense (IME) regulations can help most nursing facility residents who are enrolled in Medicaid pay for their dental care. Using this mechanism requires coordination among the major Stakeholders in IME – the resident, the dentist, and the facility. My project includes constructing and administrating a survey that will be sent to nursing home facilities. The survey will help determine if IME is being used, and will help identify ways that the ADA can help so that IME is being used most efficiently.
“Researching IME and Medicaid, as well as learning more about the dental issues that the elderly have, is very eye-opening. For over 10 years, I have worked as a dentist exclusively for low income children. As a result I am very familiar with the challenges that this population faces. However, researching the elderly and having a chance to advocate for them as well has demonstrated to me that this group is just as vulnerable.
“As a working full-time dentist, completing the practicum as a traditional student was not an option for me. It was critical that I found a practicum site that was both interesting to me and that would allow me to complete the hours slowly over the course of a few months. Fortunately, I found both at the ADA. Initially, I was concerned that being here only one day per week would make it very difficult to make any progress on projects. However, this is not the case. I’ve actually found that being away for a few days allows me to reconsider current approaches and come up with new ideas.
“I look forward to each day that I am at the ADA, and enjoy working with such a dedicated and driven group of people. I have learned a lot about how dentistry and public health intersect. While I do not know what my future holds, I am certain that what I am learning here at the ADA will be a part of it.”
Dr. Smith and Wanda pose in the lobby of the ADA’s office located on Chicago Avenue.
A Close-up View of Our Evolving Health Care System
It’s becoming a common theme with the UIC SPH’s undergraduate students that the field experience is one of the most valuable pieces of their curriculum and it’s probably a safe assumption this proved true for Steven Chrzas as well. Steven’s field experience allowed him to learn the in’s-and-out’s of a managed care organization and challenged him to use his soft skills. The following is a short narrative of some of what he has experienced at Community Care Alliance of Illinois.
“Following the major changes to the U.S. health system following the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), companies like Community Care Alliance of Illinois (CCAI) were formed to fill the new space within the marketplace. Managed care organizations are still coming into their own in the United States, giving me the unique opportunity to observe the evolution of our health care system. I only have exposure to this one organization, but I am able to see the challenges and success of this one example of managed care.
“My preceptor is the director of long-term services and supports, and many of the employees I have contact with are Care Coordinators; mostly social workers who are paired with an RN counterpart to provide care coordination. One of the projects I’ve worked on is the evaluation of CCAI’s use of the Purple Binder Social Services resource. We’ve been looking at the use of Purple Binder by Care Coordinators for trends and referrals to community services. Purple Binder allows our Care Coordinators to refer their members to a wide variety of services not covered by CCAI. For example, Purple Binder has everything from furniture to adult literacy classes, allowing our Care Coordinators to take their support of our members to the next level.
“Care coordination is all about bringing everyone to the table, member included, to provide the best service possible. In doing so, we establish strategic partnerships with all of our providers, allowing us to get our members the most effective care. Without partnerships across fields and expertise, CCAI wouldn’t be able to provide the same level of service. So I’ve been able to really conceptualize the importance of these partnerships, seeing as I can’t imagine how our care coordination would look without them.
“My favorite part of my time at CCAI is the fact that I’ve been exposed to so many different aspects of the company’s operations and have been able to sit in on a diverse set of meetings. I’ve witnessed everything from the daily interactions of my preceptor with the Care Coordinators, to our Company’s quarterly review with the State of Illinois. While mostly working within the realm of long-term services and supports, I’ve also been exposed to aspects of the communications team and other company-wide initiatives, such as the unveiling of our new care management system. As an undergraduate student I’ve found it quite enlightening to not only get to see public health concepts in practice, but to also be around the daily workings of a company.”
Steven Chrzas discusses care coordination with Preceptor Kristen Pavle.
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Does your agency have practicum opportunities you’d like to make available to our students? Please contact:.
Annette Clemens, Field Practicum Coordinator