Internships and Projects
AHEC Scholars 2022 Summer Projects and Application
Learn more about AHEC Scholars and Summer Projects here.
This common application is used to apply to summer projects hosted by
three organizations: UVM AHEC Program, Northern VT AHEC, and Southern
VT AHEC. Some projects may require a supplemental questionnaire and
criminal background check. All projects are AHEC Scholars-eligible
activities and fall into one of two tracks: research and quality
improvement or mentoring and education. Projects are typically 100 hours
(40 didactic/curriculum-based and 60 hour field-based/project-specific)
and pay a $1,500 stipend.
All projects will link to one or more AHEC focus areas:
- Interprofessional Education/Interprofessional Practice
- Behavioral Health Integration
- Social Determinants of Health
- Cultural Competency
- Medical Practice Transformation
- Current and Emerging Health Issues
Project dates vary, but all are within the summer recess date range
of Monday, June 20 to Friday, August 12. Some projects may provide for
travel, meals, and lodging.
Application Deadline is Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at midnight.
Applicants will be notified in early March 2022.
This is a competitive process, decisions will be based on the best
match for each program. Individuals may participate in more than one
project.
Please have your current Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume ready to attach to this application.
If you have questions about this program or its application, please contact ahec@uvm.edu.
Project Descriptions
Project descriptions serve as a guide for a specific topic area; actual projects will evolve once a project team is formed.
UVM AHEC Program
Track: Research/Quality Improvement
Gardening Project
Access
to healthy food is one of the most important social determinants of
health. Along with access to food, knowledge and experience in food
preparation is essential for developing a healthy and sustainable diet.
Specific questions or goals for 2022
Will teaching and demonstrating gardening have a positive impact on patient health outcomes?
Track: Research/Quality Improvement
Electronic Medical Record Projects
The
Epic Electronic Medical Record (EMR), while an essential part of
healthcare, can be frustrating both for clinicians and for patients. The
informatics team, which includes physician-informatacists, is
continuously engaged in projects to improve daily workflows for safety
and efficiency. In addition UVMMC participates in the concept of Open
Notes, in which patients have access to their medical records, including
the notes generated by the health care team.
Specific questions or goals for 2022
What are patient perspectives on access to their medical documentation, and to the patient portal more broadly?
What are the considerations, advantages, or disadvantages of various approaches to medical documentation?
Opportunity to participate in informatics projects.
Track: Research/Quality Improvement
Population Management of Chronic Disease Project
The
Office of Primary Care has expertise in quality improvement and chronic
disease. Past projects have included: Hypertension Management,
Antibiotic Stewardship in the Outpatient Setting, Opioid Prescribing in
Primary Care, Post-operative Pain Management, and others. The 2022
chronic conditions focus is on Diabetes and Hypertension.
Specific questions or goals for 2022
How does population health reporting improve care for patients with chronic disease?
Track: Research/Quality Improvement
Oral Health and Medical/Dental Integration Project
Oral
health is an important part of overall health, yet education of health
professionals occurs in separate schools and the practice of medicine
and dentistry are not well integrated.
Specific questions or goals for 2022
How
can LCOM core curriculum and/or AHEC extracurricular activities be
enhanced to be innovative and responsive to medical/dental oral health
integration and interprofessional teamwork?
Track: Research/Quality Improvement
Eating Disorders Project
There is an evolving community coalition in Vermont focused on improving the care of people with eating disorders.
Specific questions or goals for 2022
What are available resources in Vermont?
How prevalent is this diagnosis in Vermont?
How can these efforts best support care delivered in the school health office setting (i.e., public health school nurses)?
Track: Research/Quality Improvement
Ethical Dilemmas in Medicine: Medical Repatriation
Examine
a practice involving the transfer of undocumented patients in need of
continued medication care to their country of origin, sometimes referred
to as "medical deportation".
Specific questions or goals for 2022
What exactly is medical repatriation? Are there pros and cons?
How is medical repatriation implemented the United States? In Vermont?
Are there available hospital data for medical repatriation?
What impact does medical repatriation have on the physician/nurse/health professional/patient relationship?
What is the undocumented worker landscape in Vermont?
What impact does medical repatriation have on the state’s public health, workforce, and economic goals?
What are knowledge levels and attitudes in Vermont toward medical repatriation?
Northern VT AHEC
Track: Education/Mentoring
The Governor's Institute on Health and Medicine
The
Governor's Institute on Health and Medicine is a week-long, health
science enrichment and career exploration camp for high school students.
Northern Vermont AHEC is seeking nine residential mentors to support
students’ learning and assist in creating a fun and respectful learning
community. The Institute on Health and Medicine runs from Sunday, June
26 through Saturday, July 2, 2022 on the campus of Norwich University in
Northfield, Vermont. Staff training will be held at Norwich on
Saturday, June 25.
Program
activities are organized into three curricular ‘strands.’ Interest or
experience in one or more of the strands is preferred. The three strands
are:
1. Emergency and sports medicine
2. Neuroscience and neuropsychology
3. Biomedical engineering and clinical lab science
Southern VT AHEC
Track: Education/Mentoring
MedQuest Mentors
MedQuest
2022 is an on-site, 3-day, non-residential program for high school
students to explore a variety of health careers in a rich learning
environment with engaging content and group discussions, skill-building
activities, job shadowing, mentoring, and dialogue with health
professionals. Southern Vermont AHEC is seeking 2-4 mentors. Each mentor
will prepare and facilitate 2-3 learning modules for the program. The
dates of the program are TBD but anticipated for the end of June in
Rutland, with the potential for a second program at the end of July.
Track: Research/Quality Improvement
Health Equity Project with Rutland Community Health Centers
Opportunity
to help regional community health centers to accurately assess, capture
and record gender and racial/ethnic identity in the electronic health
records. This project will involve some remote research, as well as
on-site interviews and analysis. Seeking 1-2 students, dates are
flexible.
Specific questions or goals for 2022
1. Carry out Initial assessment
2. Review Intake Forms with goal to Standardize
3. Learn how to Conduct Chart Audits
4. Shadow health professionals and staff
5. Conduct Focus Studies
6. Analysis of data/reports
Past AHEC Scholar Summer Project(s):
2021 AHEC Scholars Summer Project: Primary Care Implementation of Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Novel Medications for Type 2 Diabetes in Vermont: A Statewide Survey
Audio presentation
Poster
Public Health Projects with Medical Students
Public Health Projects (PHP), a required course incorporated in the Vermont Integrated Curriculum, teaches second-year medical students to apply the principles and science of public health while working to improve the health of the community.
Public Health Projects respond to health needs identified by local community agencies. 16 projects are completed each fall by medical student groups working in partnership with community agencies, and mentored by both College of Medicine faculty
and community agency mentors.
FY21
Project: "Naturopathic
Medicine in Vermont's Healthcare System: A Thematic Analysis"
Abstract: Background:--Naturopathy
is a practice of medicine that emphasizes natural therapies. In Vermont,
Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are eligible for full prescriptive authority and may
be designated as primary care providers, however their specific role within the
healthcare system is not well understood. The objective of this project was to explore
the role of NDs in Vermont’s healthcare system.
Medical Students (class of 2024): Trevor Coles, Tayler Drake, Rosie Eiduson, Dan Fried, Max HoddWells, Simran Kalsi, Mahima Poreddy
UVM Faculty Mentor: Charles MacLean, MD
Community Agency Mentor: Elizabeth Cote
Naturopathic Medicine in Vermont's Healthcare System: A Thematic Analysis Abstract
Naturopathic Medicine in Vermont's Healthcare System: A Thematic Analysis Poster
Past Public Health Projects
FY19
Project: "Opinion and Attitudes of Vermont School Principals and Nurses on Youth Vaping"
Abstract: Background--A rapidly emerging new trend that is turning into a nationwide epidemic for youth in the United States is the use of electronic vapor products also known as “e-cigs”, “e-hookahs”, “vapes”,
“mods”, and “JUULS”. There is little known about the long-term health effects of prolonged use of vapes. The rise in vape products sales and use, poses a public health threat to adolescents. The study’s purpose is
to assess the opinions and attitudes of school principals and nurses about youth vaping. The results will identify if any gaps exist in the youth vaping issue and further expand on existing concerns of school issues. Using this information, public
health recommendations can be developed.
Student: Vy Cao, MPH (UVM Class of 2019)
UVM Faculty Mentors: Charles MacLean, MD and Katherine Mariani, MD
Community Agency Mentor: Elizabeth Cote
Youth Vaping Abstract
Youth Vaping Poster
Project: "Vermont Legislators' Opinions Regarding the Opioid Epidemic"
One of the Public Health projects presented by the students in the Larner College of Medicine Class of 2021, "Vermont Legislators' Opinions Regarding the Opioid Epidemic" was performed in partnership with the UVM AHEC Program.
Abstract: Background--In response to the opioid crisis, the 2018 Vermont legislative session proposed 22 bills, nine of which passed. While there is literature that includes various legislators' information source preferences,
there is no literature regarding how Vermont State Legislators gather information and formulate public health decisions surrounding opioid policies. The goals of the study were 1) to identify Vermont legislators' opinions regarding investments
in, and effects of, programs to prevent and treat opioid addiction, and 2) to determine sources of information used and valued by legislators.
Pictured from left: Ryan Harned, Bridget Moore, Casandra Nowicki, Matthew Lebrow, Emily Eichner, Jonathan Gau, and Liam du Preez
Medical Students (class of 2021): Casandra Nowicki, Emily Eichner, Liam du Preez, Jonathan Gau, Matthew Lebow, Bridget Moore, Ryan Harned
UVM Faculty Mentors: Charles D. MacLean, MD and Jan K. Carney MD, MPH
Community Agency Mentor: Elizabeth Cote
Vermont Legislators' Opinions Regarding the Opioid Epidemic Abstract
Vermont Legislators' Opinions Regarding the Opioid Epidemic Poster
FY18
One of the Public Health projects presented by the students in the Larner College of Medicine Class of 2020, "Prescriber Perspectives of July 1, 2017 Opioid Prescribing Rules" was performed in partnership with the UVM AHEC Program.
Abstract: Introduction--In July 2017, Vermont enacted new rules on acute opioid prescribing to reduce misuse, addiction, and overdose associated with prescription opioids. The new rules include requirements of non-opioid therapy
use when possible, querying VPMS, patient education and informed consent, and co-prescription of naloxone. Our study objective was to gain insight into the perspectives of opioid prescribers on the new rules read more.
Medical Students (class of 2020): Zara S. Bowden, Jinal Gandhi, S. Natasha Jost, Hanna Mathers, Chad Serels, Daniel Wigmore, and Timothy Wong
Pictured from left: Timothy Wong, Chad Serels, S. Natasha Jost,
Jinal Gandhi, Hannah Mathers, Zara S. Bowden, and Charles MacLean, MD (missing from photo: Daniel Wigmore)
UVM Faculty Mentors: Charles D. MacLean, MD and Jan K. Carney MD, MPH
Community Faculty: Elizabeth Cote
Prescriber Perspectives of July 1, 2017 Opioid Prescribing Rules Abstract
The 2017 Vermont Opioid Prescribing Rules: Prescriber Attitudes Poster
FY17
Students in the Larner College of Medicine Class of 2019 presented posters and explained findings from 16 different Public Health projects at a public reception and
celebration on January 18, 2017.
One of the 16 student projects, “Patient Perspectives on Medication Assisted Therapy in Vermont” was performed in partnership with the UVM AHEC Program.
Vermont has the highest per capita buprenorphine use in the U.S. The UVM AHEC Program's PHP cohort aimed to gain a better understanding of patient perspectives on the barriers and enablers of successful Medication-Assisted Therapy (MAT) – buprenorphine
treatment for opioid addiction – in order to help inform system refinement. The students developed an interview guide based on established tools, as well as input from program leaders, clinicians and community stakeholders, and conducted
interviews with 44 patients at two specialty treatment centers in Burlington, VT in October 2016. The students found that half of the subjects reported a mental health condition and stated that barriers to treatment included transportation (25
percent) and stigma (41 percent), among other factors. The students advised that “a comprehensive system that addresses this wide range of domains is critical to achieving optimal outcomes."
Medical Students (class of 2019): Ashley Adkins, Holly Bachilas, Florence DiBiase, Michael Marallo, John Paul Nsubuga, Lloyd Patashnick, Curran Uppaluri
Pictured (from left): Holly Bachilas, Florence DiBiase,
John Paul Nsubuga, Curan Uppaluri, and Michael Marallo
UVM Faculty Mentor: Charles MacLean, MD and Jan Carney, MD, MPH
Community Faculty: Elizabeth Cote
MAT Patient Perspectives Poster
Patient Perspectives on MAT Abstract
FY16
Students in the Larner College of Medicine Class of 2018 presented posters and explained findings from 16 different Public Health projects at a public reception and celebration on January 20, 2016. One project, “Addressing the Opioid Crisis
in Vermont: Lessons Learned from Primary Care Physicians,” was sponsored by the UVM Office of Primary Care and statewide Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program. The goal of the project was to identify physician barriers to providing
office-based opioid treatment (OBOT) in Chittenden County. The students who conducted the study are Timothy Henderson, Molly Markowitz, Adam Petchers, Brittany Rocque, Andrew Sheridan, Nathaniel Sugiyama, and Lindsey Wyatt. Their UVM faculty mentors
are Charles MacLean, MD, and Jan Carney, MD, MPH; community faculty members are Beth Tanzmen, MSW, Assistant Director, Vermont Blueprint for Health, and Elizabeth Cote, director, Office of Primary Care and AHEC.
Of the 25 primary care physicians interviewed, non-office-based opioid treatment providers more frequently reported that OBOT patients were challenging. OBOT providers more frequently acknowledged the stigma associated with OBOT. Both groups of physicians
expressed a desire for increased state support for OBOT. The student recommendations are: increased state support/resources for OBOT; mentorship of new OBOT providers by experienced OBOT providers; and generation of OBOT best practice guidelines
for primary care providers.
Asked what they were most surprised by in their study, Lindsey Wyatt said it was the fact that almost every provider said OBOT was easier and more rewarding than they thought it would be.
The Class of 2018 medical students working on this project found that "the five most frequently reported barriers were: insufficient state logistical support, challenging patient population, practice infrastructure/capacity, time, and provider fears/concerns.
Seventy-nine percent of non-prescriber PCPs said that they would provide OBOT if the identified barriers were removed."
“Addressing the Opioid Crisis in Vermont: Lessons Learned from Primary Care Physicians.” (PDF)
An Inter-Professional Exploration of Cuba’s Primary Healthcare System
This presentation gives an overview of learning from a June 2014 trip to Cuba by faculty in the Larner Colleges of Medicine, Social Work, and College of Nursing and Health Sciences; medical students, a dental student, a dental technician, a social
work graduate student, a nurse practitioner student; and members of the Burlington College faculty. The purpose of the course was to gain a better understanding of the Cuban health system, particularly the role of primary care, and the interaction
between primary care, public health and the community. Cuba has a well-regarded system of population health and primary care.
Exploring Cuba's Primary Healthcare System (PDF
)