Community Health Partners Advisory Committee
The
University of Iowa College of Public Health created the MPH Practicum
Experience to promote the link between academia and public health practice.
A firm foundation for a comprehensive MPH Practicum Experience requires
two building blocks: theory and practice. First, a student acquires
theoretical knowledge about public health functions, services and careers.
Next, the student gains practical experience through a Practicum with
skilled preceptor guidance. Throughout this developmental process, the
interlocking of theory and practice provide the student with a solid
basis for career orientation.
In order
to strengthen this link, the College of Public Health created an advisory
committee, Community Health Partners, a network of practicing public
health professionals from local, state and regional arenas. With the
support of the Community Health Partners, the College is able to strengthen
the MPH program and enhance practice activities and opportunities for
students.
This
support takes on different forms:
- continuing
conversations about changes and innovations in public health practice
- exchange
of knowledge and ideas to achieve mutual goals
- developing
opportunities for practice research, and creating access to expertise
for research needs and data
- providing
a forum for advising students and identifying new public health personnel.
A variety
of meetings with the Community Health Partners take place on an ongoing
basis at professional gatherings, as well as educational and outreach
events. Formal meetings are held twice a year at the College to foster
the relationships among students, faculty, preceptors and practice sites.
The fostering of these relationships helps students to achieve their
academic goals as they apply theoretical concepts to real life situations.
They develop knowledge of current public health practice and perhaps,
most importantly, they establish a professional network and build their
résumés. While these relationships extend and sustain
rich educational experiences for students, they serve the greater public
by improving the health of the population.
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