Student Leaders in Public Health

Alexi Kyro, Undergraduate in Public Health
Montana State University

Host Site: Crow Agency Public School

Topic: Environmental Health Literacy/Health Ed Curriculum Development and Implementation for a Youth Camp
Ashlee Nelson, MPH Student
University of North Dakota

Host Site: UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Topic: American Indian Teachers/Students, Creating a Pipeline for Health Sciences
Brianna Robles, MPH Student
Colorado School of Public Health (UNC)

Host Site: Larimer County Dept of Health and Environment

Topic: Sexual Health Needs Assessment/LGBTQ+ Youth
Chelsea Manzanares, MPH Student
University of Utah

Host Site: The Rape Recovery Center

Topic: Youth Violence Prevention
Cori Dowell, MPH Student
Colorado School of Public Health (CSU)

Host Site: Wyoming Department of Health, Rural and Frontier Health

Topic: Healthcare Provider Shortage - J-1 Visa Study (Recruitment of Foreign Physicians)
Crystal Hamblin, Graduate Degree in Nursing Leadership
University of Wyoming

Host Site: Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County

Topic: Suicide Screening Tool
Emily Bergling, DrPH Student
Colorado School of Public Health

Host Site: Rocky Mountain Prevention Resource Center - San Luis Valley

Topic: Adverse Childhood Experiences Awareness Training (ACEs)
Erin Walls, MPH Student
Colorado School of Public Health

Host Site: Wyoming Department of Workforce Services

Topic: Occupational Health and Safety Data - Occupational Health Indicators
Hailey Purves, MPH Student
University of South Dakota

Host Site: Tanager Takeout (Vermillion, SD)

Topic: Food Access through School Based Food Pantry
Hannah Hove, MPH Student
North Dakota State University

Host Site: North Dakota State University

Topic: Drug Overdose Among Justice Involved Individuals in ND
Jennifer Jewell, DrPH Student
Colorado School of Public Health

Host Site: Population Mental Health and Wellbeing Program

Topic: Postpartum Depression – MODparents Prevention Program to decrease maternal depressive symptoms and improve wellbeing
Jordan Esplin, MPH Student
University of Utah

Host Site: University of Utah Hospital

Topic: Post-Surgical Decrease in Opioid Use Among Rural Patients
Kathryn Cochran, MPH Student
Colorado School of Public Health

Host Site: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health

Topic: Evaluation of the spatiotemporal relationship between oil & gas development and suicide in CO, 2008 – 18
Kendra DeHerrera, MPH Student
Colorado School of Public Health

Host Site: San Luis Valley Health Partnership (Rural)

Topic: Air Quality – increase air monitor systems and train communities how to interpret data on online air monitoring website
Noelle Coniglio, Undergraduate in Public Health
Montana State University

Host Site: Messengers for Health – Apsáalooke (Crow) Reservation

Topic: Health Education and Chronic Illness Management through Social Media
Paige Tolleson, Undergraduate in Public Health
Montana State University

Host Site: Three Forks High School (Gallatin County)

Topic: Community-engaged project to assess and increase local awareness of the health risks posed by harmful microorganisms, arsenic and potentially other contaminants, in private and possibly public drinking water sources of the rural Three Forks High School District
Rebecca Elderkin, MPH Student
Colorado School of Public Health

Host Site: Community Food and Agriculture Coalition

Topic: Healthy Food Access – SNAP program for low-income Montanans and MT Growers
Rachel Steinberg, MPH Student
Colorado School of Public Health

Host Site: Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council and Epidemiology Center – Billings, MT

Topic: Health Education through Tribal College Students in MT and WY (Opioid Crisis)
Ryan Sealy, MPH Student
North Dakota State University

Host Site: First National Development Institute – Location: Longmont, CO

Topic: Supplementation of WIC program through Tribal food programs
Sara Jestrab, MPH Student
University of Montana

Host Site: Missoula City-County Health Department

Topic: Immunization Coalition-Building in Western MT
Shelby Kommes, MPH Student
University of South Dakota

Host Site: Health Connect of South Dakota

Topic: Increase Access to Health and Safety Screening and Education
Starlynne Gornail, DrPH Student
Colorado School of Public Health

Host Site: mHealth Health Impact Lab

Topic: Text Program for Adherence to Cardiovascular Medications (Urban and Rural Patients)
Tiffany Johnson, MPH Student
University of South Dakota

Host Site: University of South Dakota

Topic: Maternal/Child Health Needs Assessment
Morgan Turner, MPH Student
Colorado School of Public Health (CSU)

Host Site: Smart Fit Girls –Trinidad, CO

Topic: Single-sex Physical Activity and Youth Empowerment for Middle School Girls
Lauren Small Rodriguez, MPH Student
University of Montana

Host Site: Missoula Urban Indian Health Clinic

Topic: Indigenous Health Outreach – Health Education around Health Disparities in Indian Country
Lisa Dworak, MPH/MPA Student
University of Montana

Host Site: Missoula City-County Health Department – Missoula Health Invest Team

Topic: Health, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
Viviana Deleon, MPH Student
University of South Dakota

Host Site: Community Connection Center

Topic: Development of Community Health Navigator Program
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*Highlight of SLPH 2019-2020

Welcome!

During the 2024-2025 academic year, the Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center (RM-PHTC) will award 27 students in higher education $3,500 in financial support to assist with public health focused field placements and faculty-student collaborative projects. 

The goal of this program is to increase the supply and diversity of the public health workforce in the Rocky Mountain Region, specifically in underserved communities and populations by supporting students conducting applied public health projects and providing opportunities for mentoring and professional development. This program is funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

RM-PHTC encourages applications from

  • Students from groups that have been historically marginalized and/or underrepresented in public health
  • Students proposing field placements working with medically underserved/rural/tribal areas or populations

The SLPH application collects demographic data as well as lived experience to enhance the review process. All eligible applications will be reviewed by the Student Leaders in Public Health Review Committee.  The SLPH Review Committee is made up of RM-PHTC staff, faculty members and community public health practitioners.

Qualifications & Project Requirements

  • Student must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen U.S. national, or foreign national possessing a visa permitting permanent residence in the U.S..
  • International students are not eligible for this federal funding opportunity.
  • Student must be enrolled in a higher education program in Colorado, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota or South Dakota (Rocky Mountain Region). Qualifying programs include university, college, tribal college, and community college. If enrolled in a 4-year undergraduate program, student must be a junior or senior.
  • Student must complete the public health focused project within the Rocky Mountain Region.
  • Priority will be given to projects addressing rural, medically underserved, and/or disadvantaged communities.
  • Projects must involve at least 200 hours of effort and be substantially completed by June 30, 2025.
  • Deliverables: The student will be required to complete two deliverables (paper/poster and abstract) describing the project and its impact. An optional presentation will be offered as well.

Payment Details & Expectations

Each student will receive $3,500.00 that may be used to offset the costs of travel to the host site, living expenses or project-related costs. The stipend will be provided in two payments. The first payment of $3,000 will be disbursed after the recipient has submitted an acceptable learning plan and documentation of approval of the project by the host organization and higher education institution. The second payment of $500 will be provided upon submission of the final deliverables.

Application Timeline

Application deadlines are October 15, 2024 and December 15, 2024. If all 27 positions are not filled, another application deadline will be in February 2025.

Best way to prepare for the application? Identify a host site, a mentor and discuss your public health project details. You are invited to attend an information session or contact Olivia Jolly for more information.

2024-25 SLPH Review Committee Members

  • Sandra Melstad, PhD, MPH – Public Health Consultant, SLM Consulting (located in South Dakota)
  • Tyler Shirey – Director of Finance, Trailhead Institute (located in Colorado)
    Lauren Small Rodriguez, MPH – Executive Director, Calling our Spirits Forward (located in Montana)
    Beth Stewart, MPH – Project Coordinator, RM-PHTC (located in Wyoming)
    Jim Vanderslice, PhD – Division Chief, Division of Public Health, University of Utah
    Christina Yebuah, MPH/MPA – Public Health Consultant (recent CO experience: CDPHE and CCLP)
    *Olivia Jolly, MPH – Manager of Practice Based Learning and the Student Leaders in Public Health Program, RM-PHTC

Need More Info?

Christina Yebuah, MPH/MPA, provides an overview of why she supports the Student Leaders in Public Health program through RM-PHTC.

 

Efren Garcia (MPH student and SLPH 2022-23 recipient) discusses the financial support of the SLPH program.

Christina Yebuah, MPH/MPH, provides advice for students preparing to complete the SLPH application.

Information Sessions

Attend an information session to learn more and ask questions!

Students, advisors, staff, and potential mentors/preceptors are all invited to attend.

Wednesdays from 12 – 1pm MST

Click to Connect Here via Zoom

Resources

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UB6HP31683