From Community Engagement to Integration: Implementing Public Health Competencies to Improve Health in Underserved Communities

The Master of Public Health Program (MPH) at Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), established to address the increasing shortage of underrepresented minorities in leadership positions in public health, offers a generalist curriculum focused on community health and leadership. Our curricular focus aligns with the mission, goals and strategic initiatives of the institution, recently ranked first among U.S. medical schools for its social mission. Our curriculum consists of core courses covering the five core areas of knowledge basic to public health, electives which allow students the opportunity to customize their learning experience, and additional required courses focused on leadership, critical thinking, and career development.  The structure and composition of our curriculum ensures that all degree recipients are proficient in the community health practice-based public health that undergirds the social mission of MSM, while still meeting or exceeding the accreditation standards set forth by the Council on Education for Public Health.  The purpose of this presentation is to share the content and delivery, as well as competencies attained in our community engagement courses. Specifically, we will share the structure, delivery and outcomes of our Fundamentals of Public Health course—a community health practice immersion introductory course offered to first year MPH students within the first three weeks of matriculation.  Additionally, we will share the structure, delivery and outcomes of our Community Health Assessment and Improvement course offered in the second semester of the first year of matriculation. This course utilizes a service-learning experiential model that emphasizes reciprocal learning and mastery of community service and engagement competencies. Additionally and importantly, both courses allow opportunities for students to reflect on their experiences. Upon completing the courses, students expressed a heightened since of awareness of community health needs, an increased comfort with the community assessment and engagement process, and an eagerness to apply theory to practice after the course.