Student Opportunities

Student Opportunities

Click the link for more information, Please talk to the Service-learning Academy before contacting sites directly

Douglas County Health Department ( All those interested should email me at sgibbs@unmc.edu to declare you interest by August 27th. )

GOAL:  “Cocooning” newborns/infants who are not yet fully protected from Pertussis by immunizing those  uninsured/unimmunized adults in closest contact w/ them.
 
STRATEGY:    Utilizing existing DCHD programs  (WIC, Imz Clinic; STD Clinic) as resources  to deliver these immunizations to eligible adults 
 
PROCESS:  

• Researching the “cocooning” issue; historically, what has worked/what hasn’t (where have been the pitfalls)
• Educating staff on importance of Tdap/developing appropriate educational resources for staff use
• Developing  appropriate educational messaging for/ recruitment process of eligible adults who will receive immunization
• Working w/ all three DCHD clinic sites (WIC; Imz Clinic; STD Clinic)
• Tracking  characteristics of those who do receive immunizations and where they receive them

OUTCOME:

• Developing a “profile” of the women who do actually receive the immunization, *(as well as perceiving the importance of having their families do the same.)
• Identifying which DCHD system is most efficient/effective (site/time, etc.) in providing this resource
• Identifying what messaging/recruitment processes are most successful
• Educating DCHD staff re: the relevance of this issue
• Determining overall cost effectiveness 

ALS in the Heartland 

Possible SL/CE opportunities at the ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) in the Heartland, a non-profit resource of free services and support to ALS patients, their families and caregivers throughout all of Nebraska and western Iowa. (Possible applicable department/concentration in parenthesis)

•  Patient, Family, Community Education (HPRO)
• Respite Care Assistance (HSRA)
• Equipment Loan Program (HSRA)
• Telehealth (HSRA)
• Support groups
• Home Modifications (ENV)
• Advocacy
• Research (BIOS, EPI)
• Data collection (BIOS, EPI)
• Creating resources and materials
• Grant writing
• Talk with political reps about continuing funding and creating national registry (HPOL)

Center for Preparedness

• Community Education on household preparedness
• Resources for household notification procedures
• Stock piling of supplies

CityMatCH

• Capstone projects could be focused on data analysis, data translation, programmatic issues, evaluation, or policy development.
• The opportunities include working in
  • infant mortality
  • preconception health
  • life course
  • adolescent health
  • health equity / health disparities
  • racial/ethnic disparities
  • prevention of substance-exposed pregnancies
  • public health administration

Franciscan Care Ministries

• Community Health Survey
  • Barriers Preventing residents from medical care
  • Taking prescriptions
  • Engaging in healthy behaviors
  • Do area employers plan on providing insurance, thoughts of health reform as it relates to business
  • Wellness at work programs with area employers

Girls INC

• Inner-city adolescent girls ages 11-14 will conduct a 12-week CBPR project consisting of eight modules:
  • 1) Start Our Project (i.e., choose an advisory board);
  • 2) Decide Our Community’s Needs (using Photovoice);
  • 3) Decide What We Want To Change (i.e., use pictorial symbols to organize pictures taken and decide on a target topic);
  • 4) Plan Our Project (i.e., vote on a specific intervention);
  • 5) Do Our Project (i.e., implement a brief intervention);
  • 6) Evaluate Our Project (i.e., collect data and enter into the CTB workstation);
  • 7) Make Sure Our Project Continues (i.e., plan for sustainability and dissemination); and
  • 8) Celebrate Our Success (i.e., a dinner for participants, families, and board members; presentations by the girls at local/state conferences).

Health Promotion at UNMC: Worksite Health Promotion

• Evaluate the current Wellstream health risk assessment offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Improve participation in the annual Wellstream health risk assessment
• Increasing physical activity levels (particularly while at the worksite)
• Improving nutrition (particularly increasing consumption of fiber, fruits and vegetables and decreasing consumption of high fat foods)

Metro Area Continuum of Care for the Homeless(MACCH)

• Develop prescription tracking and retrieval for people experiencing homelessness. 
• Create a better data system to help people who are homeless with health conditions.  
• Screening and  assessment for all people who enter homelessness regardless of agency or program.

Nebraska AIDS Project

• Anti-Stigma project
• Capture the stories of NAP clients
• Plan, organize, advertise and volunteer on NAP’s annual Goodwill Drive
• Organize and prepare one nutritionally sound lunch on a Friday for NAP clients
• Help administer a client satisfaction survey for NAP client services

Office of Minority Health

• Minority Health Data, Disparities and Inequities
  • Minority Heath Disparities Research and Funding in NE
  • Assessment and Improving of quality of life issues among immigrants and refugees in NE
  • Minority Populations in Sarpy County
  • Social Marketing in Douglas County
  • Community Outreach
  • Material Development

One World Community Center

• Hypertension awareness
  • "Know your numbers" campaign
• School Health Promotion

Preventative Prenatal Oral Health Initiative

• Aim to institute a preventive dental program for pregnant women and to study its effectiveness over a period of time by comparing the oral health outcomes in their children.
• The project will involve comparing oral health status of two groups of children: ones whose mother’s will receive information and training on oral health promotion and disease prevention strategies as a part of their prenatal care regimen and the controls will be the group whose mother’s will be receiving regular prenatal care and advice (as done at present)
• Children will be followed from birth to until about 5 to 6 years of age, and the DMFT and dental treatment expenses will be compared.

• The project will include collaborating with the medical center and dental department, developing the educational tools and materials, training pregnant women and dental follow up.

United Methodist Ministries

• Baseline analysis of food security in rural Southeast Nebraska
• Analysis of community capacity development is a way to improve health in both rural and urban settings
• Evaluation/documentation of community gardens as catalysts for improved nutrition and healthier eating

Additional Capstone Locations