Practicum Experience: Evanston Health And Human Services Department

Reflection of Practicum Experience
The city of Evanston Health and Human Services Department is one of the four certified municipal health departments in Illinois. Established in 1874, the health department serves as the local face of a global networking of professionals who strive to ensure the public's health. During my practicum experience the health department was in the process of completing a five-year strategic plan aimed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the public health systems within the city. The department utilized the nationally-recognized model, mobilizing for Actions through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) to assist the community in prioritizing public health issues, as well as identifying

The success of any public health initiative is dependent upon the public health professional’s ability work with people in an ethical, culturally competent manner. After completing this practicum experience I can understand why the core competencies of a public health professional are crucial to the profession. For example, being able to understand statistical and surveillance data, the process for addressing a public health threats, drafting budgets and proposals, and the significance of community health assessments, in addition to having relationships with community leaders. The opportunity to spend sixteen weeks working in an actual public health setting that provided me with the opportunity to not only work directly with the health director, but also public health professional from various disciplines such as, environmental health inspectors, epidemiologist, food inspectors, emergency response planners, program planners, outreach workers, housing, and law enforcement was invaluable. I also obtained a sense of the magnitude of responsibility and accountability requires of a public health

Based on the core values of integrity, professionalism, caring, teamwork, and stewardship, I will be able to develop and implement health related policies and programs that are available to the entire population, regardless of cultural beliefs, racial or ethnic background, socioeconomic resources, or individual literacy. My vision of my role in public health is to be an advocate and voice for alienated populations. My core values will help guide my ethical decision making in public health, by making decisions that are based on my spiritual belief that God created man in his image and I am my brother’s keeper, for I am responsible and accountable for how I treat, treat my