MPH students convert academic theory to public health practice by completing a 240-hour Applied Practice Experience (APEx) in a community health setting. APEx provides a bridge for students to join a growing talented and competent public health workforce.
Organizations indicate MPH students increase capacity, add fresh perspective, and make a positive impact. Preceptors from each organization are matched with qualified, work-ready graduate students who accomplish measurable, achievable objectives that satisfy both curriculum requirements and organizational needs.
If your organization has interest in hosting an MPH intern, contact Applied Practice Experience Coordinator Peyton Prothero.
Featured Applied Practice Experiences
Monica Lee
| Concentration: | Veterinary Public Health |
| Location: | Knoxville, TN |
| Agency Name: | University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM) Parasitology Lab |
| Agency Type: | Public Institution |
| Semester: | Summer 2022 |
Major projects:
- Collected various tissue samples from black bears in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Appalachian Bear Rescue.
- Performed necropsies on euthanized “food-conditioned” bears from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).
- Reviewed and analyzed literature to write a prospectus.
- Wrote a grant proposal to TWRA for more funding to go towards research.
Personal Quote
“My most valuable experience was getting to assist with the medical intake, which included physical examinations and tissue sample collection. My dream is to work with wildlife and exotic animals, so getting hands-on experience with something I am so passionate about is such a blessing!”
Will Andershock
| Concentration: | Epidemiology |
| Location: | Oak Ridge, TN |
| Agency Name: | Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) |
| Agency Type: | Federally Funded Research and Development Center |
| Semester: | Spring 2022 |
Major Projects:
- Conducted quality analysis of association of vaccine status and SARS-CoV-2 Infection during the Delta and Omicron variant waves.
- Co-authored internal newsletter article detailing on-site COVID-19 testing changes as part of the pandemic response de-escalation.
- Assisted with on-going health metrics and statistics to inform decisions regarding on-site operations.
- Presented report to laboratory leadership and stakeholders.
Personal Quote
“My experience at ORNL was a success because of the fantastic people who work there. My preceptor and mentor gave me the autonomy to create a product that would benefit my professional development, while providing support to help me with my endeavors.”
Kenny Mapp
| Concentration: | Health Policy and Management |
| Location: | Knoxville, TN |
| Agency Name: | University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) College of Law |
| Agency Type: | Higher Education |
| Semester: | Spring 2022 |
Major Projects:
- Explored Tennessee newspapers to understand citizens’ responses to COVID-19 mandates and evaluated governor’s COVID-related executive orders for their impact on public health.
- Developed a report that integrated the legal perspective to the public policies that impacted the health of Tennesseans throughout the COVID pandemic, with steps for improved health outcomes for the next pandemic.
- Created a communication piece for a general audience that relayed the importance of changing the way Tennessee officials handled the COVID pandemic.
Personal Quote
“If you want to learn how to win a policy argument, work with a lawyer!”
Brittany Rosette-Jones
| Concentration: | Community Health Education |
| Location: | Knoxville, TN |
| Agency Name: | Knox County Health Department (KCHD) |
| Agency Type: | Health Department |
| Semester: | Spring 2022 |
Major Projects
- Organized and hosted Amplifying the Voices of Black Mamas and Babies: Taste and Paint Event. This was an event hosted to cultivate community and creative expression to amplify the voices of Black mothers and babies.
- Developed a resource guide for the Community Health Department highlighting historical context of slavery and reproductive rights, benefits of birth work and workers, and attributes that influence positive birthing and postpartum experiences for black women.
- Create concise and updated guidance on Breastfeeding and COVID-19 content for the Knox County Breastfeeding Resource Guide (6th Edition).
Personal Quote
“My internship experience with KCHD was nothing short of amazing. I have gained so much experience and confidence in my ability to plan and execute community initiatives. Additionally, I was able to connect and learn from individuals that are facilitating positive changes in the Knoxville community.”
Betsy Beidlingmaier
| Concentration: | Veterinary Public Health |
| Location: | Guatemala City, Guatemala; Knoxville, TN |
| Agency Name: | Vine International |
| Agency Type: | Non-profit |
| Semester: | Spring 2022 |
Major Projects:
- Conducted onsite visits and performed a needs assessment and visit report.
- Collaborated to write organizational mission and vision statements.
- Crafted SMART objectives to quantify project outcomes.
- Developed and produced Rabies profile handout for medical conference.
- Drafted and produced an evaluation questionnaire for conference attendees.
- Cast long-term vision for establishing VINE’s new provider outreach program.
Personal Quote
“I am experienced with individual-level medicine due to prior veterinary training, but the APEx provided hands-on work on population-level medicine, global development, and One Health issues using the tools learned in the MPH program.”
Sara Coley
| Concentration: | Community Health Education |
| Location: | Knoxville, TN |
| Agency Name: | University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) Department of Public Health and Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development |
| Agency Type: | Higher Education |
| Semester: | Spring 2022 |
Major Projects:
- Developed the game “Reality Check” for an interactive educational activity at Healthcare in Appalachia conference at the DreamMore Resort.
- Developed and presented a presentation about Social Determinants of Health, social needs, and intersectionality for the Healthcare in Appalachia conference.
- Conducted a debriefing session and post-survey evaluation about the interactive learning activity and presentation.
Personal Quote
“This makes me realize that public health can contribute while also being outside of the box.”
Callie Kennedy
| Concentration: | Health Policy and Management |
| Location: | Nashville, TN |
| Agency Name: | HealthTrust |
| Agency Type: | Group Purchasing Organization and Supply Chain Department |
| Semester: | Summer 2022 |
Major Projects:
- Applied quality improvement and performance management concepts to organizational planning and management – this was done by trialing and being able to use the GE Bluetooth tracking system to have evaluated materials location and ease of stress to employees.
- Applied appropriate strategic planning methodologies and other decision support tools to organizational management – this was done by collecting and interpreting data to be able to find the peak performance from people and robots while also being able to have captured a reduction of wrongly picked items and items that have expired.
Personal Quote
“Always look for areas in which you can ‘slip’ public health in. Public health concepts, ideas, and conversation can be utilized in multiple different areas of business and life and can be used to benefit the processes around you.”
Isis West
| Concentration: | Epidemiology |
| Location: | Nashville, TN (Remote) |
| Agency Name: | Centerstone Research Institute |
| Agency Type: | Non-Profit |
| Semester: | Fall 2021 |
Major Projects:
- Conducted a reproducible data analysis project through REDcap.
- Assessed, synthesized, and critically evaluated epidemiology scientific literature about adolescent mental health.
Personal Quote
“This APEx inspired me to create more surveys to address the needs of populations that need change the most.”
Abby Carpenter
| Concentration: | Epidemiology |
| Location: | Nashville, TN |
| Agency Name: | Tennessee Department of Health (TDH |
| Agency Type: | Health Department |
| Semester: | Summer 2021 |
Major Projects:
- Created a map in R-studio and an epidemic curve in excel describing TN’s 2021 live poultry season.
- Assisted with the TDH-UTK Cyclospora molecular subtyping IRB project aimed at improving surveillance and outbreak response to Cyclosporiasis.
- Revised TN Integrated Food Safe Centers of Excellence Epi Ready Team Training module for public health professionals working in foodborne diseases.
Personal Quote
“I gained confidence in newly attained professional skills in data visualization, epidemiology, and communication.”
Zhannae Cummings
| Concentration: | Community Health Education |
| Location: | Knoxville, TN |
| Agency Name: | University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) Center for Health Education and Wellness |
| Agency Type: | Higher Education |
| Semester: | Spring 2021 |
Major Projects:
- Created and presented PowerPoint presentations series regarding mental health in college students.
- Developed an executive summary report based on ACHA-NCHA campus survey data analysis.
- Developed two LIFT_ME series evaluation assessment surveys.
Personal Quote
“Throughout my grad school career, I’ve focused my research on mental health in college students, more specifically Black college students. Although CHEW looks at the entire campus community, I was able to partner with the Multicultural Student Life Center in helping implement and evaluate their #LIFT_ME Series, a series tailored for students of color and their mental health. I appreciate CHEW’s flexibility in allowing me to partner with another area of campus to fulfill my more specific interest.”
