The goal of the Hispanic-Serving Health Professions Schools Internship is to

increase students' overall knowledge of public health and to provide the necessary tools needed to enhance interns careers in medicine and public health. Projects focus on health disparities and minority populations, and topic areas may include cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV-AIDS, infant mortality, disease prevention, access to quality health care, and/or cultural competency in medical education.

The HSHPS Student Internship Program is a 10-week paid traineeship that places students at either the CDC Headquarters or at one of the satellite offices across the country. The program provides each trainee with an increased understanding of public health and the CDC as an international public health agency through practical hands-on experiences. Also, each trainee is matched, according to the area of interest outlined in his/her application, with a mentor who is an experienced scientist/researcher at the CDC. In addition, the trainee will work on a specific project, to be determined upon acceptance into program, with their mentor.

The program consists of the following activities/requirements (subject to change). All trainees are required to complete all activities as part of the program.

1. Orientation at CDC Headquarters: HSHPS and CDC staff will provide information on the program, federal system, benefits, and obligations. The session will be for 2-4 days and will be the first gathering of all participants, mentors, and program administrators.
2. Thematic Weekly Seminars (minimum 4): Trainees will be expected to attend weekly seminars which are held within various Centers, Institutes, and Offices at the CDC. The seminars will provide information on career opportunities, current research activities, etc.
3. Research Project: Trainees will be expected to assist his/her mentor on a Hispanic health related project. Milestone Completion Summary Chart's Trainees will be required to maintain a summary of their progress outlining milestones, obstacles, adjustments, etc. during the program.
4. Reaction Paper: Trainees will be required to submit an analytical and detailed synopsis of their experiences at the end of the program.
5. Presentation of Findings at CDC Headquarters: Trainees will be required to present their findings, key results of their final project, and an overview of their experiences at the end of the program.

Students will also have the opportunity to participate in various networking events with CDC scientists and researchers, policy and program development meetings, staff meetings, and agency-wide meetings on major Federal initiatives related to Hispanic health.

HSHPS U.S.-Mexico Border Student Internship Program The HSHPS US-Mexico Border Student Internship Program is a 10-week paid traineeship that places students at one of the HSHPS member institutions in the border region (Please see list of member schools). The program provides each trainee with an increased understanding of public health along the U.S.-Mexico border through practical hands-on experiences with up to half of program time to be spent in the field. Also, each trainee is matched, according to the area of interest outlined in their application, with a mentor who specializes in border health. In addition, the trainee will be exposed to a variety of different projects being conducted along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Contact:

J.Mauricio Conde
Program Coordinator
Telephone: (202) 293-2701 ext. 104
Fax: (202) 293-2704
Email: mconde@hshps.org