The Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine works with partners around the Central New York community and across the state.  

The Division of Public Health Practice and Outreach (PHPO) aspires to be nationally recognized for creating strong collaborative partnerships between Upstate Medical University and community partners regionally, nationally, and internationally. PHPO invests in bridging academia and applied public health. The goal of PHPO is to provide the community partners with support and expertise for public health initiatives. The approach is often a community-based participatory approach with a strong emphasis on a bidirectional equal partnership. Community partners range from health departments, hospitals, universities, K-12 schools, employers, religious organizations, non-for-profits, local and state governments, municipalities, public safety services, clinical experts, national and local organizations, and the public.

To highlight some of the initiatives, PHPO has created behavioral interventions, quality improvement projects, health campaigns, public health advising mechanisms, program planning and evaluation initiatives, and research studies. PHPO has co-led initiatives to improve the public health infrastructure including but not limited to epidemiological surveillance systems, vaccination clinics, and registries.  Our work has been highlighted throughout the region.  Several community partners have participated in manuscript development and submission to peer reviewed journals - this helps to disseminate our collaborative efforts. In addition, PHPO creates opportunities for graduate assistants and students to engage in real-word experiences and provides opportunities for professional development.

 

Examples of published work stemming from outreach efforts:

• Electronic hand hygiene monitoring systems: Perceptions and behaviors
• COVID-19 Vaccination Among Environmental Service Workers Using Agents of Change

Educational Outreach Activities

Through the MPH program and the Community Engaged Learning Program, the department provides opportunities for MPH and medical students to see public health and preventive medicine in action. Students work side by side with public health practitioners in various settings including local health departments, community agencies, universities, and non-profit organizations. Faculty also assist these groups through consultation and research. 

Master of Public Health Applied Practice Experience

Standard Applied Practice Experience

Through their Applied Practice Experience (APE), Master of Public Health students have the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge that they have gained through their courses to real-life public health settings. While completing their APE, MPH students are paired with a relevant health, governmental, or community-based organization and must complete 200 hours in the field. Additionally, the students are required to submit two (2) work product deliverables, which are things that would be useful to the organization that they are working with, such as PowerPoint presentations or research briefs. 

For more information regarding APEs please contact Zoreslava Osiv, MBA, Clinical Instructor, APE Course Director, and Director of Educational Administration, at [email protected].

International Applied Practice Experience

In addition to completing their Applied Practice Experience (APE) in the United States, Master of Public Health students have the opportunity to participate in an international APE. Through Upstate Medical University’s Center for Education and Training, students have the opportunity to travel to countries such as Ecuador and Kenya where they are supervised by Upstate faculty who are also abroad. Students are matched with projects that fit their skills and knowledge. Students are encouraged to dive deep into the research that they work on while they are abroad and present their findings at conferences and in journal articles.

For more information regarding International APEs please contact Christina Campagna MPH, Instructor and Director of Education and Training in the Institute for Global Health and Translational Science, at [email protected].

Medical Student Electives

This elective will allow the student to explore the implementation of public health and population-oriented prevention activities in actual community settings.

Community Engaged Learning Program

Public Health Experience (PRVM6421)

Director: Travis Hobart, MD, MPH Director, Preventive Medicine Program; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Public Health & Preventive Medicine
Phone: 315 464-1700

An independent study, community-based project, or international public health experience aimed at improving students understanding of public health, determinants of health and possible interventions addressing the public health issue the student is studying. Students enrolling in this elective generally have chosen a venue, focus of interest (research interest), and site supervisor (if off campus) prior to enrolling in the elective.

Faculty Service

All faculty in the Department of Public Health & Preventive Medicine commit to providing service and outreach to professional organizations, public agencies, community partners, and research outlets.