Public Health Projects
Public Health Projects, a required course incorporated in the Vermont Integrated Curriculum, teaches students to apply the principles and science of public health while working to improve the health of the community.
Through exposure to the kinds of public health challenges they will face in their future careers, the overall goal is that students will become better physicians.
Public Health Projects respond to health needs identified by local community agencies. 16 projects are completed each spring by medical student groups working in partnership with community agencies, and mentored by both College of Medicine faculty
and community agency mentors.
The feedback and results have been overwhelmingly positive. Each year at least several student leaders present their projects at national professional meetings, such as the American Public Health Association’s
(APHA) Annual Meeting. Public Health Projects are directed by Jan K. Carney, M.D., M.P.H., associate dean for public health. These projects were first implemented in 2004, in partnership with the United
Way of Chittenden County Volunteer Center.