Faculty will discuss an innovative practice-academic partnership within a public health educational program. Practitioners from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the Department of Environmental Protection, and East Stroudsburg Municipal Health Office partnered with faculty from East Stroudsburg University to provide an integrated learning experience. This interdisciplinary environmental health conference/panel discussion enabled students to learn about ongoing food safety, and community water protection initiatives in their own community. Conference evaluation data were analyzed, qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed. Background information included occupation/major area of study, and source of conference announcement. Although developed as part of the graduate master of public health training program, graduate and undergraduate attendees came from several majors including public health, nursing, physical therapy, biology, movement studies and exercise science. Participants indicated that they benefited greatly, and learned a lot of new skills and knowledge from the practice-academic partnerships represented by conference presenters. These findings support the need for a greater role, and increased responsibility of agencies and institutions in supporting practice-based training, research, and education. In this example, practitioners visited and shared their experience with the university community, in a college-wide event that was not only limited to students enrolled in a specific course. Alternatively, internships and field visits enable students to learn from direct observation, and participation in the daily activities of health practitioners. The anticipated outcome of these collaborative efforts will be the development of an able public health workforce that is ready to take on the global health challenges of the twenty-first century.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: (i) Apply an innovative example of practice-academic partnerships within a public health educational institution. (ii) Discuss student’s perceptions of the benefits that accrue from integrating practitioners into academic programs. (iii) Discuss the roles and responsibilities of agencies and institutions in supporting practice-based training, research, and education. (iv) Describe ongoing food safety and community water protection initiatives in Pennsylvania.
Keywords: Partnerships, Students
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: East Stroudsburg University provided support for organizing this project (conference space, brochures and printed programs, accomodation and stipends, and refreshments)
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: