Practice plunge: An immersive learning experience as a pathway to training public health professionals

The Office of Public Health Practice (Practice Office) at the University of Michigan School of Public Health (UM SPH) is dedicated to showcasing practice opportunities for MPH students. The Practice Office was established to create collaborative partnerships between academe, health departments and community-based organizations (CBOs). In conjunction with a practice-based curriculum, the Practice Office engaged public health graduate students in practice-based activities designed to expose students to the breadth and depth of practice.

The Practice Plunge is a unique opportunity for incoming UM SPH students to meet the faces and places of public health. The Plunge is a day-long event to familiarize students with the roles and responsibilities of public health in health departments and community-based organizations. For the past two years, UM SPH, the Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion, the Michigan Department of Community Health, and local community-based organizations have collaborated to increase student awareness and exposure to public health practice. The plunge raises awareness of the issues and triumphs of health departments and CBOs by gaining an understanding of the role of practitioners. This exposure to public health practice increases students' career options to include practice. This presentation will describe the process of creating a one-day practice exposure experience for entering public health students, highlighting the benefits and challenges to the student, health departments and CBOs.