Associates' Stories

Key points

  • Associates share stories about their unique experiences, challenges, and the impact PHAP has had on their careers.
  • These testimonials reflect the field-based training associates received to guide their public health careers.

Associate Testimonials

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I am a member of Ohkay Owingeh (formerly San Juan Pueblo). I attempted to work on Native American health issues during my MPH program, but I knew I needed real-world experience in Native communities beyond academics. During PHAP, I worked on national-scale public health issues in Tribal Nations such as Navajo Nation, White Mountain Apache, and Muscogee Creek Nation. Without my two years in PHAP, I don’t think I would be pursuing the goals I have today.
William Carson, 2019 Associate, Host Site: Maricopa County Department of Public Health, Phoenix, AZ
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During my PHAP tenure, I helped enhance my health department's services to the rural community alongside local, state, and tribal partners. This included implementing policies and procedures to fulfill federal environmental health program standards, conducting a Community Health Assessment (CHA), and developing a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). These experiences refined my skills and prepared me for other public health initiatives.
Kiana Davis, 2022 Associate, Host Site: Navajo County Public Health Services District, Holbrook, AZ
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Through PHAP, I have gained unique experiences that I know I would not have gotten elsewhere. From working with high school students to reduce vaping, to working with the Spanish-speaking on achieving better health goals, PHAP has taught me lifelong public health lessons
Aram Del Junco, 2023 Associate, Host Site: Central Shenandoah Health District, Staunton, VA
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PHAP is a unique opportunity for recent undergraduates to experience what public health really looks like outside of a textbook. I was not a typical associate, having joined after earning a master's degree and working at my local health department, but PHAP has still been invaluable for the insight I've gained.
Dorothy Nelson, 2022 Associate, Host Site: Austin Public Health, Austin, TX
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Content Source:
Public Health Infrastructure Center; Division of Workforce Development