The public health system in the U.S. has always sparked my interest, and interning with the Montgomery County Health Department was a great way to begin learning about it. Before this internship, I had little knowledge about the scope of public health, as it was nearly absent in the area where I was raised. I was eager to learn how a structured local public health system operates, with hopes of applying this knowledge to my future in healthcare.
The early weeks introduced me to the breadth of public health through tasks like creating health awareness materials, attending meetings, and researching on how housing conditions impact health. My housing research even led to an article in the local newspaper. These experiences, particularly creating health awareness materials, opened my eyes to how broad the field of public health is—some aspects of daily life that I had never considered can have an impact on public health.
One of the most insightful experiences was shadowing the public health nurse. We discussed infectious diseases like Lyme disease, tuberculosis, and STIs, and the challenges posed by language barriers in managing health issues. These discussions and the shadowing experience confirmed my belief that healthcare requires continuous learning and adaptability. Observing nurse-patient interactions also deepened my understanding of the clinical side of public health and reinforced my understanding of the
importance of empathy in healthcare.
I also participated in food and pool inspections, water testing, and vector control. The vector control experience reminded me of our genetics lab, but this time with mosquitoes. We set up mosquito traps and analyzed the species we caught. These hands-on tasks, such as setting mosquito traps and analyzing water samples were ways to learn about how environmental factors directly impact public health.
Engaging in community outreach during events like National Night Out further emphasized the importance of public health awareness and education. I realized how crucial it is to connect with the community, raise awareness, and offer public health resources. I also appreciated that interns were included in weekly meetings, where I learned about the ongoing work of various departments. These meetings were particularly educational, especially when the Health Officer discussed outbreaks of diseases in different parts of the country and how they spread.
This internship has solidified my interest in both public health and healthcare. Although eight weeks only scratched the surface of what can be learned, I gained a comprehensive understanding of public health’s multifaceted nature. I appreciate the Montgomery County Health Department, Global Health Initiative, and my fellow interns for this invaluable experience.
