Program Details
Orientation: The program begins with a one-week orientation that takes place at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City. During orientation, scholars are introduced to their mentors, their field placement sites and the field of public health. The program ends with a showcase and expo at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention in Atlanta, GA where students are introduced to members of the CDC who work in various fields of public health.
Field Experience/Mentoring: Scholars are paired with health professional mentors from a variety of health disciplines in a public health setting. Students will work under the guidance and supervision of their mentors, three days a week for eight weeks, gaining direct exposure to the practice of public health.
Academic Enrichment: Scholars attend three lecture-based courses one day a week for eight weeks. The courses are:
- Health Disparities & Cultural Competence
- Introduction to Biostatistics
- Introduction to Epidemiology
- Introduction to Public Health
These courses are facilitated by Columbia University Irving Medical Center faculty from all four health science schools. Scholars work in small groups with their Teaching Assistants to discuss practical application of classwork. During small group sessions, scholars work on current health issues using “real” case studies.
Field Trips: Program scholars are hosted on weekly field trips to various communities throughout the New York City metropolitan area to observe public health interventions and programs in operation. Past field trips have included:
- Boriken Health Center, New York, NY
- Gay Men's Health Crisis, New York, NY
- Shinnecock Indian Reservation, Southampton, NY
- Harlem Children's Zone, New York, NY
- Project Reach, New York, NY
- Third Root Community Health Center, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: A stipend for participation is provided to all program scholars.
Travel: Each scholar is provided financial support for round-trip travel.
Housing: Housing is provided to all students in our program.
Final Project: Each scholar is required to complete a final paper and deliver a final presentation to CUIMC staff, faculty, and invited guests based on their internship and overall program experience.
Lewis Ferguson Partners:
Kennedy Krieger Institute (KKI)- Maternal Child Health Careers/Research Initiatives for Student Enhancement - Undergraduate Program (MCHC/RISE-UP)
Morehouse College- Project IMHOTEP
Pittsburgh University- Pitt Public Health Undergraduate Scholars Program
Southern Plains- SPTHB Tribal Health Experiential Student Internship Seminar (THESIS) program
University of California Los Angeles- UCLA Public Health Scholars Training Program
University of Michigan- Future Public Health Leaders Program (FPHLP)