Master of Public Health (MPH)
Prevention. Promotion. Communication.

Field Training Sites

Affiliated Sites

The following organizations have affiliation agreements with the University for MPH field training. These are links to the organization sites. For specific opportunities at some of these sites, see further below , as well as some other opportunities.

AIDS Community Services of Western New York, Inc.
Allegany County Department of Health
Allegany/Western Steuben Rural Health Network, Inc.
American Cancer Society Eastern Division
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York
Cattaraugus County Health Department
Catholic IPA
Child and Family Services Haven House
Community Action Organization of Erie County, Inc.
Erie County Department of Health
Erie County Department of Senior Services, Wise and Well Program
Family Justice Center
Genesee County Health Department
Independent Health Association
Kaleida Health (Kaleida hospitals and school based health centers)
Lake Plains Community Care Network (offices located in Batavia, NY)
Medical Society of the County of Erie (New York)
New York State Chiropractic Association, Inc.
New York State Department of Health, Western Regional Office
Niagara County Health Department
Orleans County Health Department
Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo and Western New York
Western New York Committee on Occupational Safety and Health
Western New York Public Health Alliance
Western New York Rural AHEC (offices located in Warsaw, NY)
Wyoming County Health Department

 

Affiliated Site Projects

IMPORTANT NOTE: Following are sites and/or projects with formal affiliations with the University at Buffalo for field training. These are typically non-paid. Students should first check with their faculty advisor and concentration area director to see which of the following are appropriate for their concentration. Thereafter, students should check with Dr. Bertram before contacting any site to verify the opportunity is still available!

 

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Roswell Park Cancer Institute: Smoking cessation programs and projects

Applicable concentration(s): epidemiology, health behavior

1. Field Training Site Mentor/Project Director

Dr. Andrew Hyland
andrew.hyland@roswellpark.org
Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences
Division of Epidemiology
Elm and Carlton Streets
Buffalo, NY 14263

2. Project

The Department of Health Behavior at Roswell Park Cancer Institute is recruiting for a student to be involved in the implementation and evaluation of smoking cessation programs and projects. Opportunity exists to collaborate with the New York State Smoker’s Quitline, the Erie-Niagara Tobacco Free Partnership, the Western New York Cessation Center, which provides cessation services to thousands of smokers in the region and throughout New York State and with the Roswell Park Cancer Institute Survey Research and Data Acquisition Resource, which is conducted several studies to evaluate the impact of these services. The incumbent will work closely with research and project staff in various stages of public health programs, including program planning, implementation and evaluation. Interested students should contact Dr. Hyland.

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Erie County Department of Health: Development and Validation of a Foodborne Outbreak Database for Erie County

Applicable concentration(s): biostatistics, epidemiology

1. Field Training Site Mentor/Project Director

Mary Walawander
Epidemiologist
Erie County Department of Health
Bureau of Disease Control
95 Franklin St.
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone:  716-858-7697
Fax:  716-858-7964
Email:  mary.walawander@erie.gov

2. Project Title

Development and validation of a foodborne outbreak database for Erie County

3. Project Significance

Outbreaks of foodborne diseases occur periodically in Erie County. The New York State Department of Health requires that a standardized questionnaire be used to interview persons with suspected foodborne disease. At present, Erie County does not have a database to manage these case- or outbreak-related data, which limits public health action. This project will greatly enhance the Erie County Health Department’s ability to manage and track these important data and combat foodborne disease in the county.

4. Project Background and Goals

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 76 million cases of foodborne disease occur in the United States annually. Outbreaks occur commonly and public health response to outbreaks has contributed greatly to our knowledge of mechanisms of food contamination and transmission of bacterial and enteric pathogens, and the ability of the public health community to reduce foodborne disease. However, data is only useful if it is systematically captured and analyzed. Thus, Erie County seeks to capture data regarding cases of foodborne disease among its residents and to analyze that data on an ongoing basis to identify potential clusters and generate hypotheses on outbreak-associated vehicles. And, working on foodborne outbreaks is fun!

5. Student’s Role in the Project and Expected Outcomes/Student Deliverables

The student will develop a database in Microsoft Access to capture data from the standardized questionnaire. S/he will develop and field-test code in SPSS to extract data from the Access database and generate descriptive epidemiologic information. The student will be expected to field-test his/her SPSS program using existing data. Time permitting, the student may complete an analytic project using foodborne outbreak data from Erie County and continue the effort for their MPH integrative project. Should a suspected outbreak of foodborne disease occur during the student’s tenure on this project, s/he would be given opportunity to assist in field investigation.

6. Number of Students

This opportunity is available for one student.

7. Project Location

Erie County Department of Health

8. Project Duration

Project can begin Spring semester 2006

9. Available Support

There is no financial support available.

10. Prerequisites

The student must have experience working with Microsoft Access and SPSS.

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Department of Social and Preventive Medicine

There are always various studies underway in the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine (see the Department’s website at http://sphhp.buffalo.edu/spm/research/index.php) and students should not hesitate to speak with faculty about the possibility of doing their field training in conjunction with one of these studies.

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Roswell Park Cancer Institute: The Cancer Prevention Research and Evaluation Program (C-PREP)

Applicable concentration: epidemiology

1. Field Training Site Mentor/Project Director

Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences
Division of Epidemiology
Elm and Carlton Streets
Buffalo, NY 14263
Mentors:
James R. Marshall, Ph.D., Senior V.P.
james.marshall@roswellpark.org
Christine Ambrosone, Ph.D., Chair, Epidemiology

2. Project Title

Implementation and Evaluation of Cancer Screening and Prevention Recommendations for C-PREP

3. Project Significance

Large numbers of community members rely on RPCI for cancer screening and for information on minimizing cancer risk. However, it is clear that the most valid source of cancer screening is the community primary care provider. This project seeks to increase coordination of cancer prevention efforts across the cancer center, community primary care providers, and community members.

4. Project Background and Goals

C-PREP is part of the Western New York Data and Sample Bank (WNY DSB), a biorepository of specimens and epidemiologic data from patients and non-patient volunteers at RPCI that serve as a resource for research for the causes, treatment and prevention of cancer at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Participants provide information on their lifestyle practices, screening and medical histories, and family history of cancer, and donate a blood sample. In return for participation in C-PREP, they receive carefully designed recommendations regarding aspects of lifestyle and cancer screening they might alter to minimize their risk of cancer. C-PREP aims to:

a) Expand participation in the Western New York Data and Sample Bank (WNY DSB) to include healthy community (non-RPCI) participants, creating capacity to conduct large cohort studies.
b) Provide C-PREP participants with cancer prevention information and personalized screening recommendations.

C-PREP, as an expansion of the WNY DSB, provides data to researchers for many kinds of studies including translational research studies using banked tissue with linkage to data collected by the WNY DSB, those involving gene/environment interactions in cancer etiology and for follow-up studies for genetic predictors of response to treatment.

5. Student’s Role in the Project and Expected Outcomes/Student Deliverables

The student(s) will identify and develop community-based outreach opportunities to recruit and enroll participants in C-PREP. The student(s) will assist in facilitating epidemiologic questionnaire data and specimen collection and follow up, and in providing screening and prevention recommendations to participants and their primary care physicians. Time allowing, the student(s) will help design, and implement a follow-up evaluation.

6. Number of Students

Opportunities are available for a maximum of two (2) students per semester.

7. Project Location

RPCI campus and community locations as determined by the project.

8. Project Duration

Ongoing

9. Available Support

There is no financial support available.

10. Prerequisites

The student must have some experience working with the public, have competent writing skills, and be proficient in using Microsoft Word. Experience with Microsoft Publisher and Microsoft Access is preferred.

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Erie County Health Department: Investigation and Surveillance of Reportable Communicable Diseases

Applicable concentration: epidemiology

1. Field Training Site Mentor/Project Director

Mary Walawander
Epidemiologist
Erie County Department of Health
Bureau of Disease Control
95 Franklin St.
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone:  716-858-7697
Fax:  716-858-7964
Email:  mary.walawander@erie.gov

2. Project Title

Investigation and Surveillance of Reportable Communicable Diseases.

3. Significance of Project

The ECHD, Bureau of Disease Control maintains an Active and a Passive Surveillance System to monitor the incidence of specific reportable diseases and conditions that occur within the boundaries of Erie County. The prompt investigation of these diseases and or conditions allows for search for other related illnesses, patient education, and the implementation of control measures to reduce the morbidity associated with these diseases.

4. Project Background and Goals

The New York Public Health Laws currently require the reporting and investigation of specific diseases and conditions by the Local Health Unit (LHU). Timely investigation of these diseases enables the LHU in implementing preventive measures thereby reducing morbidity. Cooperative efforts occur with various agencies, including NYSDOH, NYS Agriculture and Markets, ECHD Environmental Health, and NYSDSS. Participation in this project would give the student practical experience of interfacing with the public concerning epidemiologic investigations, and the application of epidemiologic methods.

5. Student's Role in Project and Expected Outcomes / Student Deliverables

The student would work directly with the Epidemiologist and or the Junior Epidemiologist in the Bureau of Disease Control assisting with interviewing patients who have been reported with a reportable disease or condition. The student would be expected to acquire a working knowledge of these diseases or conditions prior to making actual phone contact with the laboratories, physicians, health-related facilities and patients. Initial interviews would be jointly handled with the Epidemiologist and student. Once a level of confidence has been established the student would be allowed to proceed on his/her own. Data collected from these interviews would then be tabulated and analyzed to determine patterns of occurrence.

Field investigations may be required in certain circumstances like outbreaks in food establishments, institutions, or day care centers.

In this experience students learn methods for local disease surveillance, interviewing techniques and the reportable disease system in New York State.

6. Project Location

Erie County Rath Building
95 Franklin St., Room 978
Buffalo, New York 14202

7. Project Duration / Dates

Students will spend a total of 240 hours in field training which can be completed in various schedules (There is no prescribed schedule as long as the required 240 hours are completed). Example schedules are:
a. 20 hours per week for 12 weeks. (Fall or Spring Semesters.) or
b. 10 hours per week for 24 weeks. (12 weeks per semester) or
c. 40 hours per week for 6 weeks. (Summer Session)

NOTE: Normal working hours in ECHD Disease Control are Monday thru Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

8. Available Funding and Source

Currently, there is no monetary reciprocation associated with this Field Training Experience.

9. Prerequisites

The student should have completed a number of courses including the Principles of Epidemiology Course, have basic computer skills, including Word, Access, and Excel. Furthermore, the student must be capable of conducting telephone and in-person interviews.

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The Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo and Western New York (Non profit founded 1989)

Applicable concentration(s): health services administration, health behavior

1. Field Training Site Mentor/Director

Mr. Phil Haberstro
Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo & WNY
65 Niagara Square, Room 607 (Buffalo City Hall)
Buffalo, NY 14202
716 851-4052
FAX 716 851-4309
Email wellness@city-buffalo.org

2. Background

The 21st Century model of a "Healthy" Community (or Region) reflects our citizens emerging understanding that together, our social, environmental, and economic conditions deeply influence personal health and quality of life. In support of contributing to attainment of a “healthier Buffalo Niagara” region, the Wellness Institute has created an “integrated” combination of initiatives to positively impact the region’s social, environmental, economic, and human capital. Key among the qualities driving the Wellness Institute initiatives are inclusiveness, (inviting a broad group of people to participate) and intersector collaboration ( citizens, business, not-for-profits and the public sector working together) as the civic path to successfully improve the quality of life in the Buffalo Niagara Region.(Visit www.creatingHealthyCommunities.org)

The Wellness Institute  facilitated the Buffalo Niagara ALL AMERICA CITY initiative , was an active partner in the region's  Smart Growth is Smart Business series of public forums addressing Smart Growth in the region and is a key partner and contractor in the Healthy Community Initiative serving the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus, Allentown and Fruitbelt communities.

3. Projects with potential for student involvement

The Wellness Institute is involved in various projects where opportunities exist for interested students to do their field training. Following is a partial list of these projects. For some of these more information can be found on the web site for the Wellness Institute at: www.creatingHealthycommunities.org ; www.BeActiveNYS.org ; www.physicalfitness.org
At the Wellness Institute site, click on one of the icons (social, environmental, economic and human capital) to find further information.

  • Erie County Physical Activity Coalition (ECPAC) - County wide promotion of physical activity
  • Older Adults Action Team - "Passport to Wellness"
  • Healthy Youth Program - Fitness intervention for at-risk youths  www.youthadvantage.org
  • America on the Move; www.americaonthemove.org
  • Be-Active New York State - Statewide promotions for active living; www.beactivenys.org
  • MOVE 4 LIFE - Your personal program for health, energy, and feeling great!; www.move4life.org
  • Worksite Health Promotion Action Team
  • Advocacy for "Health promotion as a growth industry" for the region (There is potential in this area for a student with an interest in economics to look at the potential for growth of the health promotion industry in the Buffalo-Niagara region.)
  • Healthy Communities Resource Center at Cardinal O'Hara High School (has potential for staffing or research and addressing student and staff or community health promotion)

4. How to proceed

If you have an interest in any of the projects, arrange a meeting with Mr. Haberstro (716 851-4052; email wellness@city-buffalo.org to discuss your interests.

5. Project Location

Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo & WNY
65 Niagara Square, Room 607 (Buffalo City Hall)
Buffalo, NY 14202

6. Project Duration/Dates

To be arranged in consultation with students.

7. Number of Students

This site may be able to accommodate several students or a team project.

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Western New York County Health Departments

Students interested in working with any of the Western New York county health departments should first contact:

Dr. Dennis Bertram
Stockton Kimball Tower Rm. 413
dbertram@buffalo.edu
829-6761

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County of Erie Department of Senior Services - Wise and Well Program

Applicable concentration(s): health services administration, health behavior

Field Training Site Mentor/Project Director

Ms. Dorothy J.A. Levitt, RN, MS
Coordinator, Wise and Well Program
County of Erie Department of Senior Services
95 Franklin Street, 13th Floor
Buffalo, NY 14202
716 858-8081
levittd@erie.gov

Description

The Department of Senior Services is the designated Area Agency on Aging for Erie County. The Department fosters the development of a comprehensive and coordinated system of community support services for persons 60 years of age and older, and assists such persons to remain independent and participate in family and community life. Absence of support systems would otherwise often result in unnecessary and unwanted institutional placement. The Department’s service emphasis is placed on older persons who are in greatest economic and social need – that is, those who are frail, disabled, low income, minority and/or living alone. The Department also focuses on planning, advocacy and coordination of activities for seniors.

The Department of Senior Services is involved in many activities geared to linking seniors with various support services such as: case management to serve the home bound seniors, health promotion services, nutrition services, transportation services (to doctors’ offices and such), energy assistance programs, and adult protection services. The Well and Wise Program provides health promotion and disease prevention services. The formation and participation in community coalitions is also a prominent part of the Wise and Well Program. Coalitions have been formed that deal with tobacco, minority health, diabetes, physical activity, adult immunizations, advanced healthcare decision-making, and disease prevention.

Projects

Students would be involved in the day-to-day functioning of the program, in working with coalitions and other agencies, and in health promotion activities. In addition, students can participate in the design and execution of various projects that may be underway or in their early stages at the time the student does their field training. Two such potential projects include:

1. Development of a coalition to address problems of hoarding
Some seniors save or collect things to the extent that they interfere with living space and safety, increase the risk of falls, fires and other injuries, and result in the loss of friends and companionship. Such seniors may also be unable to sleep in a bed, have nonfunctioning appliances, furnaces and plumbing, have spoiled food, suffer from mental illness, have rodent or other infestations or other problems that affect their health and well-being. The coalition would engage in problem solving, develop policies and plans, advocate for public policy changes and recommend programmatic interventions. Students can get involved in various aspects of the coalition building, as well as conduct a literature review on the problem and interventions, and contact and collect information from coalitions that have been formed elsewhere to deal with this problem.

2. Inappropriate use of medications by seniors
The case management program of the Department of Senior Services, which focuses on home bound seniors, has assembled a data set on their clients that includes information on medications. The purpose of this project would be to assess the usefulness of the data set in assessing the appropriateness of medication use by seniors and the extent to which it could be used to identify seniors at risk for adverse events from inappropriate use of medications. The student would conduct a relevant literature search, participate in the designing the study, execute an analysis plan, and write a report of the findings.

Project Duration/Schedule

To be arranged in consultation with students.

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Center for Asthma and Environmental Exposure

Applicable concentration(s): epidemiology, environmental health

Organization Description

The Center for Asthma and Environmental Exposure (CAEE), is a program within the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care at Kaleida Health–Buffalo General Hospital, and is affiliated with the University at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. The CAEE conducts bench and community based research in the areas of asthma, respiratory disease, environmental exposures and lung-biology. The CAEE was founded in 1993 by Dr. Jamson Lwebuga-Mukasa with a mission to link population-based needs assessments to health care delivery in Western New York. The long-term goals of the CAEE are to decrease the morbidity due to asthma and other respiratory diseases through education and community outreach.

Location

Buffalo General Hospital
Multilab Research Building, 2nd Floor
100 High Street
Buffalo, NY 14203

Project Director:

Jamson S. Lwebuga-Mukasa, MD, PhD
Director, Pulmonary and Critical Care
Associate Professor of Medicine

Projects:

Some of the current (2009) projects at the Center are:

  1. Open label pilot to evaluate home air filtration in preventing asthma or COPD exacerbations in adult patients on maximal medical treatment who continue to experience symptoms and required frequent hospitalizations and/or emergency department visits.
  2. Open label pilot to evaluate home air filtration in pediatric asthma patients again on maximal medical treatment but continue to require frequent hospitalizations and/or emergency department visits.
  3. A double blind placebo controlled crossover clinical trial of home air filtration in preventing asthma or COPD exacerbations in adults on maximal medication treatment who continue to experience symptoms and hospitalizations and or emergency department visits. Our preliminary results indicate promising decrease in health care utilization associated with introduction of home air filtration. We now wish to take this to the next level with a clinical trial.

Project Durations

Projects are ongoing, dates and times for students’ internships are flexible.

Funds

None are available

Student Role

Students’ roles and responsibilities will vary depending on the nature of the project arranged. Responsibilities may include data collection and entry, conducting interviews, data analysis, air quality testing.

Contact for more information:

Dr. Jamson S. Lwebuga-Mukasa
Buffalo General Hospital
100 High Street, B-6
Buffalo, NY 14203
716-859-3682
jlwebuga@buffalo.edu

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HIV/AIDS and Women of Color

Applicable concentration(s): health behavior

Field Training Site Mentor

Arthur M. Michalek, Ph.D.
Chairman of Educational Affairs
Dean, Roswell Park Graduate Division
University at Buffalo
Tel: 716-845-2339
Art.Michalek@RoswellPark.org

Problem background

New York leads the nation in reported cases of HIV Infection and AIDS and the number of young women of color becoming infected continues to rise. It is clear that we are not doing all that we can and should do to reach these young women with messages and means to prevent their infection with HIV. Heterosexual transmission of HIV is now the main route of infection reported by women. Many women lack the ability to negotiate protection for themselves for a variety of social and cultural reasons and need to change these circumstances that put them at risk for HIV and more.

The New York State HIV/AIDS Hotline offers free anonymous counseling over the telephone; referrals for free anonymous or confidential HIV testing; referrals for other HIV-related services; and free literature on the topics of HIV/AIDS and STDs.

Project Description/Student Role

We are looking for interns to further identify the problem as well as to develop culturally appropriate messages that could be used in these communities to target women of color. This would include women with African American, Hispanic, Native American and Asian/Pacific Islander ethnic origins. These messages might be in the form of brochures, PSAs, recorded script, media campaign or simple mailings. For those interns looking for a longer experience, this project could be followed through to data collection and evaluation.

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Family Medicine Research Institute

Applicable concentration(s): epidemiology, biostatistics

Organization Description

Within the UB Department of Family Medicine, the Family Medicine Research Institute (FMRI) is a unique trans-disciplinary research unit of researchers that prides itself on excellence and promoting individual growth to achieve group success. The unit pursues a dynamic and diverse agenda of clinical, community and health services research committed to practical applications with a focus on health disparity-related topics.

Project Location

Family Medicine Research Institute
462 Grider St
Buffalo, NY 14215

Site Mentor and Contact Information

Richard D. Blondell, MD
Director of Research on Addictions
Family Medicine Research Institute
University at Buffalo
462 Grider Street, CC-190
Buffalo, New York 14215-3021
Tel: 716-898-4971
Blondell@buffalo.edu

Projects

The following projects are appropriate for students interested in pursuing a research career.

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain and Opioid Addiction

The purpose of this pilot randomized controlled study is to test the efficacy of buprenorphine (Suboxone ®) for the management of chronic pain for patients with opioid addiction relative to detoxification (i.e., usual care). Outcome measures include illicit drug use, engagement in substance abuse counseling, pain control and quality of life.

Outcomes of Residential Substance Abuse Treatment

The goal of this cohort study is to identify client characteristics that are present at the time of admission to a residential substance abuse treatment program that are predictive of treatment failure (e.g., leaving the program early, relapse to illicit drug use).

Facilitating Aftercare for Alcohol Detox Patients

The goal of inpatient detoxification is to link patients to some type of aftercare program after hospital discharge to help patients maintain sobriety. Research suggests that the majority of patients not linked to treatment following detoxification return to drinking or using drugs within a few weeks of hospital discharge. This NIH-funded study tests an intervention “Peer delivered Twelve Step Facilitation” which has been found to promote abstinence and linkage to aftercare in previous small clinical trials.

Project Durations

Projects are ongoing, dates and times for students’ are flexible.
Students will spend a total of 240 hours in field training, such as 20 hours per week for 12 weeks or 10 hours per week for 24 weeks (12 weeks per semester) during the Fall or Spring 2007 semesters.

Prerequisites

The student should have experience working with Word, Excel and SPSS/SAS for data entry and analysis. Furthermore, the student may need to be capable of conducting telephone and in-person interviews.

Interested students should contact Dr. Richard Blondell at the above address/phone number to discuss current opportunities.

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Catholic IPA of Western New York – Public Health in a Population Oriented Health Care Delivery System

Applicable concentration: health services administration

Catholic IPA of Western New York – Public Health in a Population Oriented Health Care Delivery System
The Catholic IPA of Western New York is a physician and hospital organization that has a mission to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of delivering healthcare. It designs programs to improve clinical care and service using systems theory and concepts of clinical integration. The Catholic IPA is an integrated delivery system that includes 800 physicians, four acute care hospitals, and a home health care company. In addition to providing clinical services, the Catholic IPA focuses attention on health promotion (primary prevention), early detection and treatment (secondary prevention), and the prevention of long-term disability (tertiary prevention). The Catholic IPA also places special emphasis upon fostering a comprehensive care management program for its client/patient membership using office based care coordinators. Such a program relies upon public health strategies built into a clinical integration framework, including demand management (primary prevention), utilization management, and outcome assessment and practice profiling.
Because the Catholic IPA is a large and comprehensive health care delivery organization with emphasis on both prevention and provision of clinical care, public health students can find various opportunities to apply and learn public health skills in areas such as population health assessment, program interventions, evaluation, “pay for performance” systems, evidence based public health and evidence based medicine, and decision support systems.

The Catholic IPA is working on new initiatives to spread electronic health record implementation into private practicing physicians’ offices to assist office based physicians in improving quality. Student would be engaged in quality improvement initiatives in the areas of prevention and chronic health conditions using population based health data from claims, EHR and self reported data from physicians. The Catholic IPA has been awarded several major grants that support the use of electronic health technology to improve clinical care.

Two courses especially beneficial for giving students the background needed to gain the most from a field training experience at the Catholic IPA or any managed care (e.g., HMO) setting: SPM 634 Public Health and Managed Health Care, and SPM 635 Designing and Evaluating Advanced Medical Management Systems.

Students interested in a career in managed care (e.g, HMOs) and integrated health care systems should contact Mr. Dennis Horrigan to discuss possible field training opportunities at Catholic IPA:

Mr. Dennis Horrigan
President and CEO
dhorriga@chsbuffalo.org
Telephone: 862-2162

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Family Justice Center of Erie County

Applicable concentration(s): health services administration, health behavior

Organization Description

The creation of the Family Justice Center (FJC) was in response to an assessment by Erie County government that there were systematic gaps in service delivery to victims of domestic, intimate partner and family violence, and a lack of a coordinated and well integrated response system. The FJC was established to provide a focused, efficient, coordinated and user friendly system that would improve the access and delivery of services to victims, increase victim safety and increase offender accountability. The FJC brings together the services of on-site and off-site partner agencies. On-site are provided services from police officers, prosecutors, forensic medical professionals, probation officers, legal advocates, shelter service professionals, chaplains, and support services professionals. A supervised waiting area is also available for children while clients are meeting with center professionals to help victims through a difficult transitional period.

Students interested in working in this setting will meet with Mr. Gevirtzman and their field training faculty advisor to design an appropriate experience.

Family Justice Center website: http://www.fjcsafe.org/

Project Location

The Family Justice Center of Erie County
237 Main St., 14th Floor
Buffalo, NY 14203

Contact

Mr. Paul Gevirtzman
716 558-5261

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Wellness Education Services at University at Buffalo

Applicable concentration(s): epidemiology, health behavior, biostatistics, health services administration

Organization Description

Wellness Education Services (WES) is the outreach and education arm of the UB Student Wellness Team. Wellness Education Services utilizes health promotion programs to build a healthy campus, to promote students’ personal health, and to support academic success. Wellness Education Services’ staff includes an epidemiologist, an exercise science specialist, a registered dietician, substance abuse specialists, health educators, and graduate students and peer educators. Among the services offered are stress management, exercise and nutrition assessments, yoga, sober support groups, pilates, LGBT Safe Zone, AlcoholEdu, meditation, UB-SAFER interventions for violators of alcohol and other drug policies, men’s health, women’s health, violence prevention, and health information resources.

Student Opportunities – Data analysis, Program Planning and Evaluation, Policy Development

WES has implemented the National College Health Assessment survey to assess college student health (see http://www.acha.org/projects_programs/assessment.cfm). This survey queries students about their habits, behaviors, and perceptions on prevalent campus health topics: alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use; sexual health; weight, nutrition, and exercise; mental health; and injury prevention, personal safety, and violence. MPH students can assist in the dissemination of the survey, data analysis, report writing, and program planning and evaluation based upon the findings of the survey.

Under the direction of WES, all incoming freshmen must complete an online program called AlcoholEdu. AlcoholEdu is an online prevention program that provides students with feedback about their alcohol behavior, information about alcohol use, skill development for functioning in a social environment, and reflection of how alcohol fits into an individual’s life. Students completed Part 1 of the program before coming to campus in September of 2006, and then completed a short post-survey 45 days late. Approximately 2,500 matched pairs will be available for analysis beginning in Spring 2007.

Other content areas where MPH students may find opportunities include rape and sexual assault prevention (the center is analyzing the results of a survey of campus stakeholders regarding prevention and advocacy efforts), tobacco control, nutrition and exercise promotion and sexual health (including pregnancy issues, emergency contraception and STI prevention).

Site Mentor and Contact Information

Sherri L. Darrow, PhD
Director, Wellness Education Services
University at Buffalo
Student Wellness Team
716 645-2837 x1
darrow@buffalo.edu

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Kaleida Health: School-Based and Community Health and Wellness

Applicable concentration(s): epidemiology, health behavior, biostatistics, health services administration

Kaleida Health is involved in many activities and programs related to school and community health and wellness. Kaleida Health operates 13 City of Buffalo school-based health centers and provides school nursing services at the remaining City of Buffalo schools. School-based health centers is one of the ways that communities address the unmet health needs of young children and adolescents in the school setting during school hours. A school-based health center provides age-appropriate, culturally-sensitive primary health care and health promotion and disease prevention services. The objective is to promote wellness and healthy lifestyle habits for children, youth and families in addition to providing for comprehensive primary health care. Services provided include risk behavior assessments, nutrition education and weight management, behavioral health counseling, immunizations, health education and wellness services, annual physical examinations, diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses, First Aid, medication administration, referral to specialists, laboratory services, age-appropriate reproductive services, and vision, hearing and scoliosis screening. In addition, programs have been initiated in asthma prevention and health education, Type II diabetes prevention in middle and high school and the community, and abstinence education.

Programs and activities are continually changing. Potential areas for student involvement in various programs are many and would be matched to the student’s area of study and career plans. Potential areas include, for example, needs assessments; program planning, development and implementation; evaluation; data analysis; administration (see also Kaleida Health:  Administrative Opportunities in Performance Improvement); and policy research and policy development. Interested students should contact Ms. Visher for an appointment to discuss existing or upcoming opportunities.

Biostatistics: Work with Kaleida Health personnel to develop a public health research question that is of mutual interest to the student and Kaleida.  Proceed through the various steps necessary to answer the posed question, including:  collection of available data, statistical analysis, and dissemination of results.  The student’s focus will be a complete and appropriate statistical analysis and interpretation of results.

Epidemiology: Work with Kaleida Health personnel and their collaborators (such as the Health Related Services Department of Buffalo Public Schools) to develop a public health research question that is of mutual interest to the student and Kaleida.  Proceed through the various steps necessary to answer the posed question, including:  collection of available or original data, basic epidemiologic analysis, and dissemination of results. 

Health services administration: Work with members of Kaleida’s Office of Community Health administrative team with the goals of exposure to and participation in the daily work tasks of the team, as well as exposure to the more global strategic plans of the department.  Develop an individualized health services administration project to be completed during course of field work.

Health behavior: Work with members of Kaleida’s Community Health team to develop evidence-based health behavior focused self-management skills development programming.  This will be utilized to educate community lay leaders and who will disseminate the information to their numerous community contacts.

Schedule: Opportunities likely will be able to accommodate various schedules and one or two students.

Prerequisites: Prerequisites will vary depending upon the opportunities. These can be discussed with Ms. Visher.

Contact person:

Melva D. Visher, MA, RHIA
Vice President, Community Health
Kaleida Health
1095 Jefferson Avenue
Buffalo, NY 1420
mvisher@kaleidahealth.org
883-9487


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Kaleida Health:  Administrative Opportunities in Performance Improvement – Hospital, School Health and other areas of Kaleida

Applicable concentration: health services administration

Kaleida's Performance Improvement (PI) team currently has opportunities to work with and mentor students in the following areas:

  • Retention and Recruitment
  • Throughput
  • Length-of-Stay Initiatives

MPH students will have the opportunity to learn and apply skills of Six Sigma, Change Acceleration Process (CAP), Work Out (WO), and Lean.  The steps will involve analyzing data and project management to implement process improvements for populations served by Kaleida.

Performance Improvement opportunities exist in many areas of Kaleida Health, including the hospital setting, school health and other programs.

Contact person:

Stephen A. Kishel
Director, Performance Improvement
859-8721 (office)
SKishel@KaleidaHealth.Org

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Expanding Registry of Autoimmune Diseases/Buffalo Lupus Project

Applicable concentration: epidemiology

Site Mentor and Contact Information

Dr. Laurene Tumiel-Berhalter, PhD
Vice Chair of Research, Family Medicine Research Institute (FMRI)
Assistant Professor, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine
173 CC, ECMC
462 Grider Street
Buffalo, NY 14215
716-898-4689
(f) 716-898-3536
tumiel@buffalo.edu

Site Name

UB Family Medicine Research Institute (FMRI)
173 CC, ECMC
462 Grider Street
Buffalo, NY 14215

The ERA project (Expanding Registry of Autoimmune Diseases)           

In 2000, a group of concerned residents on the east side of Buffalo approached scientists at the State University of New York at Buffalo (UB) about the number of their neighbors who had been diagnosed with lupus and other autoimmune diseases.  The residents, who had organized as the Toxic Waste Lupus Coalition, wanted to learn more about how many people in their neighborhood had lupus and potential reasons they were becoming ill.  Residents hypothesized that the situation could be linked to the presence of a toxic waste site in the area.  The Buffalo Lupus Project, a community-based participatory research (CBPR) partnership between the Toxic Waste Lupus Coalition and UB, was formed to address these questions.

The Buffalo Lupus Project developed a registry to count the number of people in the community with lupus or another autoimmune disease using an extensive media campaign, as well as word-of-mouth within the community.  Currently, 318 residents with lupus and other autoimmune diseases have registered with the Buffalo Lupus Project.  A face-to-face survey was administered by trained interviewers among 66 registrants with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who had ever lived in the ZIP codes surrounding the toxic waste site of concern (14215 or 14211).  The purpose was to uncover any common factors that could elucidate the complex causes of lupus and other autoimmune diseases.  Survey questions included residential, occupational, and medical history.

The Buffalo Lupus Project is housed in the UB’s Family Medicine Research Institute (FMRI).  FMRI is a multi-disciplinary research unit dedicated to improving health, patient care and medical education by encouraging scholarship in primary care.  The institute pursues a dynamic and diverse agenda of clinical, community, and health systems research committed to practical applications and aims to continue the work of the Buffalo Lupus Project.

The ERA project (Expanding Registry of Autoimmune diseases) is a project to expand the Buffalo Lupus Project registry and increase participation of its membership in community-based participatory research initiatives.  The ERA Project has three goals:
  Goal 1:  Recruitment of additional registrants for the Buffalo Lupus Project registry;
  Goal 2:  Establishment of a system for periodic contact with registrants; and
  Goal 3:  Implementation of a Summer Intern Program for survey administration

Student’s role in Project and Expected Outcomes/Student Deliverables

Students will be responsible for contacting current registrants to invite them to participate in the Buffalo Lupus Project survey and conducting in-person interviews for administration of the Buffalo Lupus Project survey.  Students may also be involved in data entry and analysis of survey responses which can be used for independent student projects, presentation of findings, and participation in other related community events.  All students will participate in human subjects training and research methods training appropriate for their involvement in the project.

This project will create a forum for students at all levels to become trained in participatory research approaches.  It engages students (future leaders in public health and medicine) in conducting CBPR.

Number of students

A total of five students will be recruited and the FMRI research assistant will coordinate their activities. 

Project Location

Training activities and data management (entry, analysis, and storage of survey data) will take place at FMRI.  In-person interviews with registrants will take place at a location convenient to the registrant.

Project Duration/Dates

Open immediately for student involvement.  Flexible with time commitment to accommodate student needs.

Available Financial Support

None

Prerequisites

Students should have good interpersonal communication skills, since success of the project relies on comfortable interactions with community members.  Experience with interviewer administered questionnaires desired, but not required.  Experience using Microsoft excel and access and statistical software also desired, but not required.

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Independent Health – Government Affairs Office

Applicable concentration: health services administration

Field Training Site Mentor

Ms. Roberta Rifkin
Director of Government Affairs
Independent Health
511 Farber Lakes Drive
Williamsville, NY  14221

email:  rrifkin@independenthealth.com

About the Government Affairs Office

The Government Affairs Office at Independent Health (IHA) is responsible for the following:

  1. Keeping track of state and federal legislation that impacts IHA business.
  2. Informing employees regarding significant legislation and policy issues.
  3. Serving as the primary point of contact with IHA’s associations in New York and D.C., including the NY Health Plan Association (HPA), America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), and Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP) and ensuring the following:
    1. Facilitating input on issues brought up with associations.
    2. Participation in association activities, including conference calls and learning opportunities.
  4. Developing relationships with elected officials.
  5. Working with lobbyists in support of IHA positions.
  6. Engaging in grassroots advocacy in support of IHA products and services

Student’s Role

The student intern would be specifically responsible for helping to support the activities that fall under the first task, using an internet based tool and with guidance from the Director of Government Affairs.  By tracking legislation at state and federal levels, the intern will see how health care policy becomes active and how it impacts the course of health care practices.  The intern will also have the opportunity to contribute and participate in the other activities listed as deemed appropriate by the Director of Government Affairs. 

Schedule

Scheduling is flexible and will be arranged in consultation with students. 
Preventive Medicine residents should consult the Residency Program Director.

Contact

Interested students should send an email letter of interest with an attached resume to:  Ms. Roberta Rifkin at rrifkin@independenthealth.com

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2008 Survey of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Use Behaviors Among 9th Grade Students in the Western New York Region

Applicable concentration(s): epidemiology, biostatistics

1. Field Training Site Mentor/Project Director

Dr. Andrew Hyland
andrew.hyland@roswellpark.org
Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences
Division of Epidemiology
Elm and Carlton Streets
Buffalo, NY 14263

2. Project Title

2008 Survey of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Use Behaviors Among 9th Grade Students in the Western New York Region

3. Project Description

This survey will provide a unique opportunity to evaluate changes in tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use behaviors and perceived access to tobacco among 9th grade students enrolled in the Western New York region’s public and parochial schools.  Questions from the 2004-2005 survey will be revised to form this year’s survey.  Results will be utilized to describe responses to specific questions in the questionnaire.  The analysis will focus on comparing drug use behaviors between 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008.

4. Student’s Role in the Project and Expected Outcomes/Student Deliverables

The student will collaborate with researchers to develop the survey, correspond with school personnel, coordinate field work of data collection, update/maintain the data set, prepare a written report which provides region-wide estimates of drug use behaviors.

5. Project Duration/Schedule

This project is expected to be approved by the Institutional Review Board at RPCI and will be executed during the fall and winter of 2008-2009.  Schedules can be developed to accommodate a total of 240 contact hours of field training.

6. Whom to Contact:

Interested students should contact Dr. Andrew Hyland (see contact information above).

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New York State Department of Health, Western Reional Office

Applicable concentrations: biostatistics, environmental health, epidemiology, health services administration

There are several projects listed below. Please scroll down to see them all.

Analysis of Fall Related Incident Reports from Adult Homes

Site/Organization Name

New York State Department of Health, Home and Community Based Care – Adult Services

Site Mentor and Contact Information

Norine K. Nickason, Director
259 Monroe Ave., Room 313
Rochester, New York 14607
585-238-8185 phone; 585-238-8198 fax
nkn01@health.state.ny.us

Project Title or Opportunity Description

Analysis of Fall Related Incident Reports from Adult Homes

The Adult Services program is responsible for the inspection and supervision of 117 adult care facilities in the western region to ensure compliance with State regulations.  Adult care facilities (ACF) are certified by the Department to provide long-term, non-medical residential care and services and supervision to adults who are substantially unable to live independently.  The Department also provides regulatory oversight to 13 Assisted Living Programs (ALP): adult care facilities that provide care to residents with stable medical conditions who would otherwise require nursing facility placement.  Adult Homes may offer respite care, day care and dementia care.  Finally, the office currently has 68 applications under review for adult home facilities that wish to be designated as Assisted Living Residences (ALR).

Facilities are required to submit an Incident Report relative to any resident fall where such fall results in injury requiring medical attention.  The office reviews all such Incident Reports.  However, there is currently no mechanism for capturing and analyzing this information for the purpose of identifying fall predictors or fall prevention strategies.

Student’s Role in Project and Expected Outcomes/Student Deliverables

Conduct and summarize literature search to identify potential variables and framework for the review of falls
Review Incident reports regarding falls to collect relevant information
Develop a database, enter information and conduct analysis of same
Develop a falls prevention strategy, including a training program specific to falls prevention and present to facility operators

Competencies that can be addressed:

Biostatistics:

  • Apply descriptive techniques commonly used to summarize public health data.
  • Apply common statistical methods for inference.
  • Interpret results of statistical analyses found in public health studies. 

Epidemiology:

  • Identify key sources of data for epidemiologic purposes.
  • Describe a public health problem in terms of magnitude, person, time and place.
  • Comprehend basic ethical and legal principles pertaining to the collection, maintenance, use and dissemination of epidemiologic data.
  • Apply the basic terminology and definitions of epidemiology.
  • Draw appropriate inferences from epidemiologic data.

Health services administration:

  • Apply the principles of program planning, development, budgeting, management and evaluation in organizational and community initiatives

Number of students: one

Project Location

Office as noted above #2, City of Rochester, free parking, on bus line, approximately 80 miles from Buffalo

Project Duration/Dates

Office is open and staffed Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Available Non-Financial Support - none 

Prerequisites

Familiarity with Center for Assisted Technology

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Enhanced Sanitary Survey (Inspection) of Public Water Supplies

Site/Organization Name –

Rochester Office, NYSDOH Environmental Health Program

Site Mentor and Contact Information

Name: David Rowley, PE
Street Address: 335 East Main Street, Rochester, NY
Phone number: 585-423-8064
e-mail address: David A Rowley/WESTERN/DOH@NYSDOH

Project Title or Opportunity Description

The Western Region Environmental Health program provides technical support and oversight of twelve full-service county health departments (LHDs) and two district offices in Western NY.

The Region is responsible to provide training and to assist LHDs in the delivery of their public water supply program.

Project title: Enhanced Sanitary Survey (Inspection) of Public Water Supplies

The proposed student project is to assist in the development and delivery of classroom and on-site training for local health department (LHD) staff in Western New York. Recent assessment of LHD capacity identified that many staff lack necessary knowledge and skills to conduct comprehensive sanitary surveys of public water supplies. Surveys conducted by Senior water supply program staff (D. Rowley) have identified deficiencies, some representing possible points of system failure, that were not addressed by LHD staff.

By providing enhanced classroom training and field exercises, it is anticipated that the quality of Sanitary Surveys conducted in WNY will improve.

Student’s Role in Project and Expected Outcomes/Student Deliverables

The student will be charged with assisting in development of the program curriculum.  Anticipated tasks include:

  • Logistical arrangements for training sessions and field work
  • Research of water supply topics for curriculum development
  • Assist in preparation classroom training materials
  • Develop tracking system for monitoring the progress of participants
  • Assist in developing final report on project.

Competencies that can be addressed:

Environmental health:

  • Describe genetic, physiologic and psychosocial factors that affect susceptibility to adverse health outcomes following exposure to environmental hazards.
  • Describe federal and state regulatory programs, guidelines and authorities that control environmental health issues.
  • Specify current environmental risk assessment methods.
  • Specify approaches for assessing, preventing and controlling environmental hazards that pose risks to human health and safety. 
  • Explain the general mechanisms of toxicity in eliciting a toxic response to various environmental exposures.   
  • Discuss various risk management and risk communication approaches in relation to issues of environmental justice and equity.  

Number of students

The proposal is for one student.

Project Location

Initial training and office work will be based in the NYSDOH Rochester Office. Some training and basic orientation may be completed remotely. Training with LHDs will require travel to individual LHDs, or to centralized training site(s) as deemed appropriate. Some fieldwork will include inspections of public water supply systems.

Project Duration/Dates

Spring 2009 only

Available Non-Financial Support

None available

Prerequisites

Student must be familiar with basic public health prevention and the need for safe drinking water. The student must also be comfortable with computer applications, able to work independently, and have excellent organizational and communication skills.

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Implementation of Epi Info in Western New York

Site/Organization Name

Buffalo Office, NYSDOH Environmental Health Program

Site Mentor and Contact Information

Name: Anita Bonamici
Street Address: Delaware Avenue, Buffalo
Phone number: 716-847-3355
e-mail address: Anita M. Bonamici/WESTERN/DOH@NYSDOH

Project Title or Opportunity Description

The Western Region Environmental Health program provides technical support and oversight of twelve full-service county health departments (LHDs) and two district offices in Western NY.

The Region is responsible to provide training and to assist LHDs in the response to possible foodborne outbreaks.

Project title: Implementation of Epi Info in Western New York

The proposed student project is to provide on-site training in the application of Epi Info, a statistical program that aides in the investigation of a possible foodborne outbreak by providing template questionnaires and statistical analyses to determine implicated food(s) or beverage(s). Epi Info is a product of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and is available for use by LHDs and NYSDOH free of charge. At this time only one person (A. Bonamici) in WNY is skilled in Epi Info.

Foodborne outbreak investigations are often complicated, and require a great deal of staff time to investigate and obtain individual food histories. The Regional Office staff often assists by utilizing Epi Info to help analyze data collected by the LHD. As there is only one staff in the Regional office skilled in Epi Info, providing the program to each LHD with training will allow for more thorough investigations and the best use of acquired data.

Student’s Role in Project and Expected Outcomes/Student Deliverables

The student will be expected to access Epi Info and become familiar with its tools and application for LHDs. The student will also be provided instruction by Ms. Bonamici, and will be asked to input data from a test case for learning purposes. Once fully trained, the student will be asked to develop a communication to LHDs about the proposed outreach with Epi Info. The students will then follow-up with interested LHDs and provide on-site assistance, training, and support. An evaluation of the program, to measure the impact at the LHD, will also be part of the project.

Competencies that can be addressed:

Epidemiology:

  • Identify key sources of data for epidemiologic purposes.
  • Describe a public health problem in terms of magnitude, person, time and place.
  • Apply the basic terminology and definitions of epidemiology.
  • Calculate basic epidemiology measures.
  • Communicate epidemiologic information to lay and professional audiences.
  • Draw appropriate inferences from epidemiologic data.

Environmental health:

  • Describe the direct and indirect human, ecological and safety effects of major environmental and occupational agents.
  • Describe genetic, physiologic and psychosocial factors that affect susceptibility to adverse health outcomes following exposure to environmental hazards.
  • Describe federal and state regulatory programs, guidelines and authorities that control environmental health issues.
  • Specify current environmental risk assessment methods.
  • Specify approaches for assessing, preventing and controlling environmental hazards that pose risks to human health and safety. 
  • Explain the general mechanisms of toxicity in eliciting a toxic response to various environmental exposures.   

Number of students

As there are 12 LHDs and 2 district offices in the region, a team of two students may best deliver full implementation of the program.

Project Location

Initial training and office work will be based out of the NYSDOH Delaware office. Some training and basic orientation may be completed remotely. Outreach to LHDs will require travel to individual LHDs, or to centralized training site(s) as deemed appropriate.

Project Duration/Dates

Students may complete this project in either a Spring or Fall semester. A summer session would not be possible, as LHD staffs have little, if any time during the summer months to receive training given season workloads.

Available Non-Financial Support

None available

Prerequisites

Student must be familiar with epidemiological investigations, and have completed at least one college-level course in statistics. The student must also be comfortable with computer applications, able to work independently, and have good communication skills.

Information about Epi Info can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/EPIINFO/epiinfo.htm

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Regional Epidemiology Program

Site/Organization Name:

NYS Department of Health, Western Region Office, Regional Epidemiology Program 

Site Mentor and Contact Information

Name: Ann Sullivan-Frohm or Christina Hidalgo
Street Address: 584 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone number: (716) 847-4503
e-mail address: axs01@health.state.ny.us or cmh07@health.state.ny.us 

Project Title or Opportunity Description

This internship offers an accurate picture of the duties and responsibilities of Regional Epidemiologists, as well as other staff in Communicable Disease Control, and provides hands on experience.  Main duties/activities would be in Regional Epidemiology and would include:

  • Surveillance of disease activity in 17 counties
  • Providing support to LHDs in outbreaks (e.g. conducting interviews of cases in outbreaks - most interviews are conducted by telephone)
  • Assisting in health care related investigations (includes closing out nosocomial reports)
  • Charting trends in communicable diseases
  • Assisting with report writing including outbreak investigation summaries
  • Developing/updating PowerPoint presentations on common communicable diseases (e.g. Legionella, MRSA, C diff, Flu, E.coli, etc.)

The internship would also provide exposure to other areas of Communicable Disease Control (TB, HIV, STD, Immunization, Hepatitis Surveillance and Emerging Infections) through programmatic overviews delivered by staff or by observation of field activities.       

Student’s Role in Project and Expected Outcomes/Student Deliverables

A student in this internship would be providing assistance to the Regional Epidemiologists and performing routine tasks that must be accomplished by this staff.  Expected products would include, but not be limited to, spread sheets, line lists, written reports/summaries, PowerPoint presentations, and graphic representation of disease trends. 

Competencies that can be addressed:

Epidemiology:

  • Identify key sources of data for epidemiologic purposes.
  • Describe a public health problem in terms of magnitude, person, time and place.
  • Explain the importance of epidemiology for informing scientific, ethical, economic and political discussion of health issues.
  • Apply the basic terminology and definitions of epidemiology.
  • Calculate basic epidemiology measures.
  • Communicate epidemiologic information to lay and professional audiences.
  • Draw appropriate inferences from epidemiologic data.

Number of students

One student at a time can be accommodated in this internship.

Project Location

Although the primary work for this internship will be conducted in the Western Region Office, occasional travel offsite may be required.  In most instances, carpooling is a possibility.

Project Duration/Dates

Internships with the Regional Epidemiology staff would be most appropriate for full semesters.

Available Non-Financial Support

No non-financial support is available. 

Prerequisites

Good computer skills including experience with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. 

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Cancer Services Program Initiative

Site/Organization Name

Buffalo/ New York State Health Department, Western Regional Office

Site Mentor and Contact Information

Name: Miriam Lawrence
NYSDOH
584 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone number: 716-847-4530
e-mail address: maw06@health.state.ny.us 

Project Title or Opportunity Description

Community Health Initiatives
The Community Health area works with communities to promote public health. Whether it is developing programs that improve the health of pregnant women and their infants to reduce infant and maternal morbidity and mortality, or increasing the availability of colorectal and prostate cancer screening to under-served and uninsured populations age 50 and older, the focus is always on interventions that go to the root causes of diseases, not just the diseases themselves.

The CH unit is responsible for contract monitoring of several programs to ensure compliance with New York State and federal regulations and progress toward meeting the Healthy People 2010 objectives. These programs include Cancer Services and Tobacco Control, Children and Adolescent Health, Family Planning and Reproductive Health, Prenatal Care, Migrant Health, and several Nutrition programs.

In addition, the CH unit is involved with the Health Insurance Outreach Initiative currently underway in the Western Region.

Specific project: Cancer Services Program Initiative

This opportunity entails developing and implementing an initiative to carry out Community Outreach to further promote breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings, and Provider Outreach.  Providers who are unfamiliar with the CSP could: #1, benefit from learning about the program's services and at a minimum, direct their uninsured or underinsured clients to CSP screening partnerships for needed services, or   #2, be recruited as participating providers.  Either scenario would be a "win - win" benefit for both prospective clients who may need these services and/ or for providers, it could represent added revenue as well as access to a referral system that provides their diagnosed clients a speedy path to the Medicaid Cancer Treatment Program.

Student’s Role in Project and Expected Outcomes/Student Deliverable

The student will work with the CSP Regional Manager to develop and implement initiatives to address Community Outreach to further promote breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings to the uninsured and underinsured populations 50-64 years of age (CSP priority population). In addition, the student will work to increase provider participation into the CSP partnerships by recruiting additional providers in Erie and Niagara Counties as well as recruiting and developing linkages with Community Based Organizations (CBOs) in both counties.

Competencies that can be addressed:

Health services administration:

  • Explain methods of ensuring community health, safety and preparedness.
  • Apply the principles of program planning, development, budgeting, management and evaluation in organizational and community initiatives.
  • Demonstrate leadership skills for building partnerships.

Expected Student Outcomes and Deliverables

Work with the Regional Manager and identified CSP Partnerships in Western, NY to develop plans to recruit 10 additional providers in both Erie and Niagara Counties to expand access to the CSP services. Activities might include conducting a needs assessment of providers who do not participate in the CSP program in Erie and Niagara Counties, surveying providers via telephone to determine barriers or challenges to participation, working with the CSP Partnerships to develop a provider recruitment plan, developing provider recruitment promotional materials and/or conducting provider site visits with the CSP Regional Manager and CSP Partnerships staff.

Work with the CSP Regional Manager and partnerships in Erie and Niagara Counties to expand participation of Community Based Organizations (CBOs), developing linkages that will further promote CSP services. Activities might include meeting with the CSP Outreach and Recruitment Coordinator to learn more about CSP outreach and recruitment efforts, conducting a needs assessment of community-based organizations in identified counties who may not participate in the CSP partnership and also serve the CSP priority population, working with the Regional Manager and the CSP Partnerships to develop a plan to increase referrals and collaborative efforts with CBOs and learning about the CSP Ask-Me Recruitment Campaign to  assess and identify potential CBOs to implement the campaign.

Work with the Regional Manager to develop a collaborative relationship with the Roswell Park Cancer Institute Disparities Office. Activities might include conducting a meeting with RCPI staff to learn more about the Witness Project and other RCPI cancer program initiatives, cross-training CSP Partnership staff and Witness Project volunteers, and working with the Regional Manager to further develop these collaborative relationships to the CSP Partnerships.

Meet with at least 5 regional partnerships to identify “best practices” that address outreach and recruitment to the priority populations and then develop a Best Practices Manual

Number of students

one

Projects Location

Cancer Services Program Initiative:

NYSDOH, 584 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202, provider offices and Community Based Organizations throughout Erie and Niagara Counties in Western New York.

Project Duration/Dates

Flexible in terms of project duration and scheduling.

Available Non-Financial Support

Non-financial support (e.g., housing) is not available for the student

Prerequisites

Prior experience in working with under-served populations and community outreach is desirable. Good communication and writing skills a must

Have an interest in health promotion and/or increasing cancer screenings to the underserved

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Allegany/Western Steuben Rural Health Network, Inc.

Applicable concentrations: epidemiology, health services administration, health behavior

Contact information:

Ms. Carrie Whitwood
Executive Director
85 North Main Street, Suite 4
Wellsville, NY 14895
585-593-5223
email: whitwoodc@awsrhn.org

There are three opportunities:

Allegany County Child & Family Wellness Program [health behavior and health services administration concentrations]

Allegany/Western Steuben Rural Health Network, Inc. (AWSRHN) seeks a service-learning student to assist with research and planning for its newest initiative entitled Allegany County child & Family Wellness Program.  New York State department of Health’s Prevention Agenda Towards the Healthiest State, sites Physical Activity and Nutrition as a serious health concern for children and families.  Pediatric obesity clinics that are family-based, utilizing a multi-disciplinary approach have shown strong success in helping children and families struggling with Body Mass index scores charted at-risk or obese.  The Allegany County Child & family Wellness Program concept will embrace strategies and “lessons learned” through urban, hospital-based programs while considering the unique opportunities available in a rural setting.

The Allegany County Child & Family Wellness program is a joint effort between the AWSRHN, Allegany County Department of Health, local pediatricians, Wellsville Central School, Cornell university Cooperative Extension of Allegany/Cattaraugus County, ARA The Counseling Center and Jones Memorial Hospital.  The goal of this initiative is to combat childhood obesity through a holistic evidence-based model.  AWSRHN will act as the lead agency in this project.
The vision and mission of this program are as follows:

Vision:  To create, develop, promote, implement and monitor an ecologically and scientifically based grass-roots community outreach and health education empowerment intervention model program that focuses on physical activity proper nutrition, lifestyle modifications, and long-term health care choices in order to reduce the short and long-term debilitating and chronic effects of obesity among children and their gatekeepers.

Mission:  improve the health and well-being of Allegany County youth through a multidisciplinary, systematic approach to increased physical activity and improved nutrition.

Expectations of an MPH service-learning student:

  • Research pediatric obesity clinics that can be adapted to meet the unique needs of rural Allegany County youth;
  • Research and assist in the development of program goals, objectives, activities, policies and procedures of the Allegany County Child & Family Wellness program
  • Assist in the development of an evaluation plan to demonstrate program outcomes; including identified goals, objectives and activities
  • Assist in the development of a sustainability plan, resource development opportunities and future implementation o f the Allegany County Child & Family Wellness Program
  • Assist in the research and development of recruitment and marketing materials to help engage the target population to participate in the Allegany County Child & Family Wellness Program.

 Health Behavior Competencies (this experience emphasizes primarily health behavior)

This field training experience provides opportunities to address the following health behavior competencies:

  • Identify the basic health behavior theory(ies), concepts and models employed at the field training site.
  • Identify the social and behavioral risk factors that affect the health of the individu­als and population evident at the field training site.
  • Identify individual, organizational and community concerns, assets, resources and deficits as they affect the social and behavioral science interventions employed at the field training site.
  • Identify the critical stakeholders at the field training site who affect the planning, implementation and evaluation of the public health programs, policies and interventions at the site.
  • Describe the steps and procedures for the planning, implementation and evaluation of the public health programs, policies or interventions used at the field training site.
  • Describe the role of social and com­munity factors in both the onset and solution of the public health problems evident at the field training site.
  • Describe the advantages of the social and behavioral science interventions and policies employed at the site compared to alternatives.
  • Apply evidence-based approaches in the development and evaluation of social and behavioral science interventions employed at the field training site.
  • Apply ethical principles to the public health program planning, implementation and evaluation activities conducted at the field training site. 
  • Specify the multiple targets and levels of any social and behavioral science programs and/or policies conducted at the field training site.

Health Services Administration Competencies (this experience emphasizes primarily health behavior but may apply to health services administration depending on specifics of the planned experience)

  • Apply the principles of program planning, development, budgeting, management and evaluation in organizational and community initiatives.
  • Explain methods of ensuring community health, safety and preparedness.
  • Apply principles of strategic planning and marketing to public health.
  • Apply quality and performance improvement concepts to address organizational performance issues.

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Allegany County Integrated Health Planning [health services administration and epidemiology concentrations]

Allegany/Western Steuben Rural Health Network, Inc. (AWSRHN) seeks a service-learning student to assist with research and data collection in the execution of the Allegany County Integrated Health Plan.  As a recipient of a New York State Department of Health HEAL NY Phase 9 Local Health Planning Initiative grant award, AWSRHN will address a multitude of health care delivery system issues including, but not limited to the following:

  • Engage health care providers from various health care sectors to produce a comprehensive Community Health Assessment incorporating hospital, public health, behavioral health and long-term care providers,
  • Enhance quantitative and qualitative data gathering and analysis in order to develop an integrated health plan for system improvement,
  • Conduct asset mapping of the current health care delivery system to identify gaps and duplications in service provision,
  • Identify population specific health care priorities for system improvement and community engagement,
  • Examine the potential for restructuring of the current health care delivery system to more efficiently meet the needs of the population, and
  • Research best practice, evidence-based models that can improve access to services in a cost-effective methodology in communities exhibiting similar health care delivery system issues.

Expectations of an MPH service-learning student:

  • Assist in the systematic collection, assembling, and analysis of local health data, including health status indicators (morbidity & mortality measures, health risk measures), vital statistics data, population data and epidemiologic studies;
  • Assist in the collection of utilization and health services data, including emergency room data, SPARCS data, re-hospitalization data, and insurance claims data;
  • Assist in the collection of qualitative data from community residents and key stakeholders through diverse techniques; including focus groups, one-on-one interviews and/or survey development, distribution and analysis;
  • Assist in the development of an evaluation plan to demonstrate program outcomes; including identified goals, objectives and activities;
  • Provide assistance in conducting asset mapping of the current health care system to help identify gaps and duplication in service provision

The service-learning student will report directly to the Allegany County integrated Health Planner.  Prospective students must have experience with quantitative data collection, applied statistics and be proficient with basic computer application including Microsoft application.  Knowledge of SPSS software preferred.

Health Services Administration Competency (this experience emphasizes primarily health services administration)

This field training experience provides opportunities to address the following health services administration competency:

  • Apply the principles of program planning, development, budgeting, management and evaluation in organizational and community initiatives.

Epidemiology Competencies (this experience emphasizes primarily health services administration but may apply to epidemiology depending on specifics of the planned experience)

  • Identify key sources of data for epidemiologic purposes.
  • Describe a public health problem in terms of magnitude, person, time and place.
  • Explain the importance of epidemiology for informing scientific, ethical, economic and political discussion of health issues.
  • Apply the basic terminology and definitions of epidemiology.
  • Calculate basic epidemiology measures.
  • Draw appropriate inferences from epidemiologic and other public health data.
  • Communicate epidemiologic information to lay and professional audiences.

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Adult Immunization Social Marketing Campaign [health behavior concentration]

The Allegany/Western Steuben Rural Health Network, Inc. (AWSRHN) seeks a service-learning student to assist in the development of a social marketing campaign with the target of increasing the percentage of Allegany County adults age 65 and older who obtain flu and pneumonia immunizations.

New York State Department of Health’s Prevention Agenda Towards the Healthiest State sites infectious disease as a serious health concern for seniors.  The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Immunization Program’s goal is to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases by making sure children and adults receive the vaccines they need.  By the year 2013, NYSDOH has established the following adult immunization goals:

  • Increase the percent of adults aged 65+ who had a flu shot in the past year is at least 90%.  Baseline: 64.7%, BRFSS, 2006.  (Healthy People 2010 Goal)
  • Increase the percent of adults aged 65+ who ever had a pneumonia shot is at least 90%.  Baseline:  61%, BRFSS, 2006 (Healthy People 2010 Goal)

NY Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data reports that 73.5% of Allegany County adults age 65 and older received their flu shot in the past year, while 70.9% of Allegany County adults age 65 and older report ever having pneumonia vaccine (2003).  While significantly higher than New York State and national percentages, Allegany County recognizes the importance of improving this healthcare measure.

The service-learning student will utilize the following social marketing process to design a plan to meet the adult immunization goals set forth for Allegany County seniors:

            Phase 1 – Identify a Problem Statement

    • Identify potential audiences
    • Identify models of behavioral change and best practices
    • Conduct SWOT analysis

            Phase 2 – Conduct Market Research

    • Design market research plan
    • Secondary data gathering (local, regional, state and national data)
    • Analyze market research

            Phase 3 – Create the Marketing Strategy

    • Select target audience
    • Define current and desired behaviors
    • Describe benefits
    • Write behavioral change goals
    • Select interventions
    • Write action plan

            Phase 4 – Plan Interventions

    • SMART objectives for each action
    • Create work plan with timeline, budget, responsible party
    • Plan new or improved services
    • Develop or adapt product/service
    • Plan strategies for policy change
    • Plan communication intervention/promotional activities
    • Pretest, pilot test, revise as needed
    • Confirm plans with stakeholders

            Phase 5 – Implement Interventions and Evaluation

  • Prepare launch
    • Execute and manage interventions
    • Execute evaluation strategies
    • Modify intervention activities

Health Behavior Competencies

This field training experience provides opportunities to address the following health behavior competencies:

  • Identify the basic health behavior theory(ies), concepts and models employed at the field training site.
  • Identify the social and behavioral risk factors that affect the health of the individuals and population evident at the field training site.
  • Identify individual, organizational and community concerns, assets, resources and deficits as they affect the social and behavioral science interventions employed at the field training site.
  • Identify the critical stakeholders at the field training site who affect the planning, implementation and evaluation of the public health programs, policies and interventions at the site.
  • Describe the steps and procedures for the planning, implementation and evaluation of the public health programs, policies or interventions used at the field training site.
  • Describe the role of social and community factors in both the onset and solution of the public health problems evident at the field training site.
  • Describe the advantages of the social and behavioral science interventions and policies employed at the site compared to alternatives.
  • Apply evidence-based approaches in the development and evaluation of social and behavioral science interventions employed at the field training site.
  • Apply ethical principles to the public health program planning, implementation and evaluation activities conducted at the field training site. 
  • Specify the multiple targets and levels of any social and behavioral science programs and/or policies conducted at the field training site.

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American Cancer Society:  Access to Healthcare Internship

Applicable concentration: health services administration

Health services administration competencies addressed:

  • Apply principles of marketing to public health
  • Communicate health policy using appropriate channels
  • Identify the main issues of the organization, financing, and delivery of health services

Positions Available: 1 

Contact:        

Hillary Clarke, Regional Advocacy Director
716-881-2695 or hillary.clarke@cancer.org

Compensation:

This intern will not be compensated. 

Overview

This internship project focuses on implementing the Society’s national Access to Healthcare Campaign at the regional level in Western New York, including identifying area constituents with personal stories illustrating the need for healthcare reform.  The intern will be charged with identifying and recruiting new stories from patients and caregivers throughout the region, as well as working with American Cancer Society Marketing and Communications staff and Advocacy staff to communicate those stories to area media and elected officials. 

Skills

Non-profit advocacy interest; detail-oriented; proficient in Microsoft Office applications; ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and to work effectively to meet deadlines; dependable with attendance; strong interpersonal, oral, and written communications skills; ability to work independently.

Goals

  • Increase the number and broaden the range of stories from Western New York in the Society’s Access to Healthcare Story Bank
  • Increase area media coverage of the Society’s Access to Healthcare Campaign
  • Include persons with personal stories as a regular component of meetings with legislators

Specific Job Responsibilities

  • Work with Regional Advocacy Director to plan and manage Western New York legislative campaign in support of the Society’s national healthcare reform agenda.
  • Identify and vet persons with personal stories (contact constituent, clarify details of story, get permission to use publicly) and enter profiles in Story Bank.
  • Collate Healthcare Reform Surveys collected at summer 2009 WNY Relay for Life events, follow up on high potential stories, and evaluate survey results. 
  • Help to develop regional communications strategy to maximize campaign media coverage. 
  • Work directly with constituents with personal health care stories to prepare them for media. interviews, and participate in those interviews as appropriate.
  • Coordinate and participate in legislative visits with state and federal elected officials. 
  • Help to prepare localized materials and talking points for legislative visits and lobby days. 
  • Participate in Advocacy Department conference calls and meetings.
  • Participate in WNY Health Care Campaign meetings and events representing the Society.

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