The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has partnered with Missouri State University to offer statewide public health internships through Pathways.
Robert Niezgoda, visiting assistant professor in the department of public health and sports medicine at MSU, received a grant of $2.1 million to fund this project. He plays a key role in facilitating the development of the program.
Niezgoda spent time as a local health department director and student mentor for MSU’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program. This makes him a prime candidate to oversee this project.
“The grant partnership was based on the MPH program’s history of successful field experiences and the connections with the DHSS,” Niezgoda said.
Pathways public health internships
Fifty Pathways public health internship positions are open to undergraduate and master’s students starting in spring 2024.
The internships are either with a public health agency or with DHSS offices. Each internship is 320 hours and students will receive a stipend of $6,400.
This opportunity is not limited to one branch of study. Any health care-related field from nursing to health care administration can qualify.
“The purpose of these internships is to help local public health agencies find potential employees,” Niezgoda said. “We want to get more people excited about public health, while strengthening their workforce.”
What this means for MSU and the state
The Pathways Missouri public health internship program is an ideal opportunity for organizations to provide students with practical experience for roles in a new career field. This enables students to get on-the-job skills the classroom may not provide.
The DHSS partnership with MSU promotes a workforce development strategy to create more applicants for full-time public health jobs.
Other participating Missouri universities include:
- University of Missouri.
- Saint Louis University.
- Washington University in St. Louis.
- Lincoln University.
- Lindenwood University.
- Missouri Southern State University.
- Truman State University.
- University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis.
These academic partners will aid in coordinating the internships and developing a sustainability plan.
“The important part is there will be opportunities for students to have paid public health internships,” Niezgoda said. “This will strengthen the Missouri public health workforce leading to improved health for Missouri.”