|
This section provides information about the mission, history
and current activities of the Student Outreach and Response
Team.
SORT
Mission
To
promote future public health leadership by providing students
with hands-on experience that contributes to improved community
health.
History
In
the spring of 2002, DeKalb County Board of Health (DCBOH) staff
proposed a program to introduce students at the Rollins School
of Public Health at Emory University (RSPH) to local and state
public health agencies. The program, "Student Outbreak
Response Team", provided opportunities for RSPH students
to gain experience in the practical aspects of outbreak investigation
while applying theoretical concepts learned in the classroom
to local public health situations. The idea and name were based
on a similar program at Johns Hopkins' Bloomberg School of Public
Health.
The
Center for Public Health Preparedness and Research (CPHPR) at
Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, supported
the proposal and invited DCBOH to pilot the program in the fall
of 2002.
The
pilot academic year of SORT (2002-2003) attracted approximately
30 applicants. Fifteen RSPH students were chosen to participate,
including three student leaders. During this year, SORT members
participated in a number of activities with DCBOH including
six monthly education sessions, a mock smallpox vaccination
clinic and several outbreak investigations. SORT also sponsored
two RSPH-wide discussions, one during the fall on West Nile
virus in metropolitan Atlanta and one in the spring on the metropolitan
Atlanta smallpox vaccination experience. SORT also sponsored
a training on Epi Info, a statistical software package used
in public health practice and research.
The
Rollins School of Public Health and the DeKalb County Board
of Health determined that SORT could benefit from additional
resources and staff involvement. In the fall of 2003, the program
received financial support from the Academic Health Department
Program, funded by the Association of Schools of Public Health.
During
SORT's second academic year, 47 students applied, resulting
in a team of 28 students, with the three student leaders continuing
from the pilot year. The monthly education sessions were expanded
to include more information on local public health services,
including refugee health and risk communication. SORT members
participated in two outbreak investigations and assisted with
a mock anthrax prophylaxis clinic exercise. Members also were
invited to attend community meetings and tour the DeKalb County
Medical Examiner's Office.
During
the summer of 2004, the SORT partners reviewed the program's
progress and evaluated its mission. Based on feedback from this
review, the program was expanded to include more public health
opportunities, such as trainings, ongoing surveillance and data
analysis at local health departments. A steering council was
formed to allow partners to provide input and guidance to the
program.
To
reflect the program's mission more accurately, the steering
council elected to change the program's name. SORT now stands
for "Student Outreach and Response Team."
Partners
and Stakeholders
The
partners and stakeholders in SORT include:
- Students
at the Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University
- DeKalb
County Board of Health (DCBOH)
- Center
for Public Health Preparedness and Research (CPHPR), Emory
University
- Georgia
Division of Public Health (GDPH)
Steering
Council
The
SORT Steering Council consists of two decision-making representatives
from each of the above partners. Chaired by DCBOH and co-chaired
by CPHPR, the council provides ongoing oversight, guidance and
support for the SORT program. Steering council meetings are
held quarterly.
|
