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Open Access
SPOTLIGHT ON EMERGING PROFESSIONALS
A Journey Into Environmental Public Health
Devin Clark, MPA City and County of Denver
erate with pest control. By collaborating with the landlords, neighbors, and pest control services, we were able to resolve the issue and improve living conditions for the resident. This experience underscored the tangible impact of public health work and solidified my commitment to the field. My internship experience emphasized the importance of skills such as communication, de-escalation, and situational awareness— skills that are challenging to develop in a classroom setting but crucial in real-world applications. These competencies have been invaluable throughout my career, including my current role. Following graduation from CSU, I was oered a full-time position with the City and County of Denver as a public health investi- gator. My NEPHIP internship was instrumen- tal in this transition, as it provided me with essential field experience and fostered con- nections within the department that facili- tated my employment. The relationships and experiences gained during my internship have continued to benefit me throughout my career. After nearly 5 years as a public health investigator, I transitioned to a role in work- place safety, where I focus on protecting city employees and preventing workplace inju- ries. The expertise and skills developed dur- ing my internship and subsequent role as a health investigator have seamlessly translated into my current position. I am now respon- sible for training city employees, drawing on my firsthand experiences to enhance their safety and eectiveness in the field. The NEPHIP internship has been a cor- nerstone of my career in public health,
Editor’s Note: In pursuit of our mission to build, sustain, and empower an e ective environmental health workforce, the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) is pleased to o er a new column in the Journal that shines a spotlight on emerging professionals in the field of environmental public health. Through these columns, we highlight the next generation of professionals in our field and the work they are doing, as well as share their experiences, new perspectives, and passion for our profession. The conclusions of this column are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the ocial position of NEHA, the agencies of the authors, or any internship host agency or funder.
Public health professionals serve as advocates for community well-being and environmen- tal health, often working behind the scenes to make a significant impact. My journey into public health began with my academic advisor at Colorado State University (CSU). It was my advisor who introduced me to the internship opportunities available through the National Environmental Public Health Intern- ship Program (NEPHIP), a program oered by the National Environmental Health Asso- ciation through support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Eager to gain firsthand experience in a local government setting, I sought an internship to understand the practical aspects of public health before graduating. After being accepted into the pro- gram, I was assigned to the City and County of Denver, where I was able to shadow various professionals within the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment.
During the summer of my internship, I engaged with multiple inspectors across various domains, including food safety, pool management, residential housing, body art, lead exposure, air quality, and childcare. My primary project involved supporting the child lead poisoning prevention program. This role included reviewing blood lead level tests, conducting home visits to assess poten- tial lead sources, and providing solutions to mitigate exposure. Despite the challenges, this work was profoundly rewarding as it contributed to significant improvements in the health outcomes of children. A defining moment in my career occurred while shadowing the residential housing team. This team addresses public health con- cerns raised by tenants and property owners. I vividly recall assisting a resident struggling with a bed bug infestation that was exacer- bated by a neighboring unit’s refusal to coop-
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