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NEHA NEWS
Reflecting on the Impact and Expansion of the National Environmental Public Health Internship Program: A 2-Year Review By Adrienne Gothard (agothard@neha.org) and Jesse C. Bliss (jbliss@neha.org) In the realm of environmental public health, building a robust path- way into the field is crucial. The NEHA National Environmental Public Health Internship Program (NEPHIP) addresses this need by oering paid 400-hour internship experiences to undergraduate and graduate students from environmental health degree programs accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council. After acceptance, students are placed with state, tribal, local, or territorial environmental public health programs to complete their hours and an independent proj- ect. Through the independent project, host sites benefit from dedi- cated intern support to advance key initiatives, while students have the opportunity to apply their academic knowledge in real-world settings, producing deliverables that enhance their portfolios. In 2022, NEPHIP underwent a significant expansion with gener- ous support from CDC. This expansion included increased intern- ship positions annually, additional sessions in fall and spring, heightened professional development opportunities for interns, and enhanced support for host environmental public health pro- grams. We aim to highlight the successes and impact of these expansions over the past 2 years. Since its inception in 2015, NEPHIP has steadily grown. In the summers between 2015 and 2021, 144 students completed intern- ships. Following the program’s expansion, NEPHIP nearly doubled its internship placements to 273, spanning 38 states and one U.S. territory. Moreover, the program has engaged with 135 unique host sites, providing more than 100,000 hours of internship support to environmental public health programs nationwide. A pivotal enhancement during the expansion was the increased support for host sites, both operationally and financially. We enhanced support for interns and host sites by increasing the fre- quency of touchpoints throughout the internship, ensuring timely assistance. Additionally, host sites received access to a $1,500 support package for each intern they hosted, helping to oset the costs associated with accommodating an intern whether virtually or in-person to enhance their experience. In the past 2 years, over $40,000 has been reimbursed to host sites to cover purchases such as laptops, personal protective equipment, sampling materials for projects, and training costs associated with internships. Adapting to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, NEPHIP transitioned to a virtual format in 2020. By fall 2022, guided by CDC collaboration, the program reinstated in-person experi- ences, acknowledging the value of hands-on learning environments. Notably, feedback from participants indicated that the opportunity to participate in remote internships expanded accessibility, enabling participation for individuals otherwise constrained by location or
circumstance. NEPHIP continues to embrace virtual, in-person, and hybrid formats depending on the needs of the host site and intern. The 2022 expansion not only bolstered the number of qualified internship alumni entering the workforce but also enriched NEPHIP’s professional development oerings. Interns now benefit from being able to attend our AEC & Exhibition, along with multiple travel scholarships enabling students to attend in person to showcase their internship projects, engage in educational sessions, and network with environmental health professionals. Additionally, through an important integration between our Environmental Health Leader- ship Academy (EHLA)—the nation’s premiere environmental pub- lic health leadership program that provides key leadership training to advance the next generation of state, tribal, local, and territorial environmental public health program leaders—NEPHIP interns benefit from career mentorship oered by EHLA graduates to sup- port intern professional development. Graduates of our EHLA have completed a rigorous, year-long program focused on leadership and mentoring, and have demonstrated a strong commitment to advanc- ing the environmental health profession. Through the NEPHIP career mentoring sessions, interns gain valuable insights from expe- rienced professionals and build meaningful connections within the field. Other professional development opportunities the interns ben- efit from include workshops on networking, interviewing, resume building, and communication skills. Looking forward, NEHA remains steadfast in its mission to bridge the gap between education and practice in environmental public health. This program rearms its commitment to fostering a diverse and skilled workforce capable of addressing emerging environmen- tal health challenges, promoting health equity and environmental justice, and confronting the impacts of climate change. Through continued innovation and collaboration, NEPHIP will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of environmental health professionals nationwide. Its expansion and successes over the past decade exemplify a dedicated eort to meet evolving challenges while equipping future professionals with the skills and experience necessary to safeguard public and environmental health. More information about the program can be found at www.neha. org/nephip. NEPHIP is supported through a cooperative agreement with CDC (CDC-RFA-OT18-1802). A group of 15 current and former NEPHIP interns attended the NEHA 2024 Annual Educational Conference & Exhibition in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in July. Photo courtesy of Blake Latiolais, B1 Studio LLC.
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Volume 87 • Number 2
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