The University of Iowa Strike Force
Strike Force Mission
The mission of the University of Iowa Public Health Strike Force is to provide support to health organizations and non-profit organizations throughout Iowa, nationally and globally by deploying public health students to assist with diverse public health related projects. Using surge capacity, service learning and Just-in-Time models, students will be deployed for hands-on learning opportunities that transition theory into practice while addressing emerging public health issues. A broad and diverse repertoire of community service, emergency response, model and analytics development, systems thinking, and outcome analysis is offered to the public health community. These opportunities will augment the students’ academic training to develop our emerging public health leaders to be adaptable and capable of guiding programs that improve health for entire populations.
Who We Are
The Public Health Strike Force is a team of trained student volunteers from the University of Iowa College of Public Health. The students provide support to health organizations and non-profit organizations throughout Iowa by assisting with public health-related activities, events, and emergency situations. Students are supported by CPH faculty and staff.
Past and Current Projects
- Johnson County Public Health
- Students completed inventory tracking of preparedness equipement through Salamander
- Assisted with Community Flu Clinics
- Conducted a Rapid Community Assessment to study vaccine equity
- Linn County Public Health
- Disseminated a food systems assessment
- Linn County Emergency Management
- Helped with a full scale mass casualty/fatality drill at the Eastern Iowa Airport
- Spring Break Field Experience 2023
- Fayette County Community Needs Assessment
- Lake water sample collection in conjunction with AmeriCorps interns
- Johnson County Medical Reserve Corps
- Assist Johnson County’s health care system by providing additional staff during emergency operations, and preparedness activities
- CHA/CHIP data collection and analysis
- Literature Review
- Best Practices
- Social Media Campaigns
Quotes from Students
“I was able to learn more about public health and the ways that public health and environmental science work together.”
“This experience gave insight to the realm of environmental health and how connected it is to public health. Our experience was very informational for future job requirements in local public health departments.”
“This field trip gave a broader perspective of Public health in an actual and Practical manner. Interacting with a county public health, taking samples and their analysis enhanced the understanding of public health.”
Quotes from Host Sites
“Each time you have an opportunity to share your work, it challenges you to succinctly describe it and opens the door for discussion. It was wonderful to zoom out from pandemic response to look at my role and our organization from a more holistic public health viewpoint.”
“We are working to build partnerships with the UI Public Health programs and this experience definitely enhanced that objective.”
“Building partnerships with faculty and staff was extremely beneficial. Our staff and interns gained new insights on the work of public health professionals.”
“I enjoyed hearing why each of the students and administrators were interested in pursuing/incorporating public health into their academic and professional careers. That was energizing. I appreciated their engagement throughout the visit.”
Public Health Podcast
Interested in Joining?
Membership is currently closed to students outside of the University Iowa College of Public Health. Membership will be evaluated and outside membership may be permitted in the future!
Full membership and good academic standing is required to participate in activities.
For more information about the Strike Force contact ui-strikeforce@uiowa.edu
Does your organization need student help?
The Strike Force consistently explores avenues for fresh collaborations with diverse public health and preparedness related organizations. If your organization needs assistance in emergency events or other projects your organization does not have capacity to complete, consider filling out the application for us to help. We will match you with an interested student or group of students, depending on the project.