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Partnerships in undergraduate education
Connecting with high school students is essential to our continued success. Learn more about key partnerships and programs that have been established under the leadership of Tammi Thomas, Phd, MSSW, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Public Health Practice, and Undergraduate Education.
SPHIS partners with Central High School, offers dual credit public health courses
In fall 2022, the University of Louisville School of Public Health & Information Sciences (UofL SPHIS) began offering dual credit public health courses to Central High School students enrolled in the pre-medical magnet. Our partnership makes it possible for students to enroll in up to 9 credit hours of coursework. We had 28 Central students complete PHPH-101 Introduction to Public Health and saw their engagement continue during Spring 2023 with PHEP-200 Disease Detectives (10 students) and PHPB-301 Health Equity (30 students). Courses are offered in person and online, so students are exposed to both modes of teaching delivery. 
SPHIS is working with Mrs. Shantel Reed, a teacher at Central High School, to administer the public health dual credit course offerings. Mrs. Reed has both a BSN and RN and has always been passionate about public health. Her passion has been instrumental in the success of our dual credit courses. As a result of our collaboration, Mrs. Reed decided to pursue our online Certificate in Public Health Training that began spring 2023. The certificate is 12 credit hours and integrates courses in the four core areas of public health with practical applications for public health practice and preparedness. To support the cost of her coursework, Mrs. Reed received funding from the UofL SPHIS HRSA Public Health Scholarship Program and Clover Scholarship Fund. Upon completion of the certificate, Mrs. Reed plans to pursue a Master of Public Health.
Tammi Thomas, PhD, MSSW, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Public Health Practice and Undergraduate Education; Assistant Professor, said, “We are excited about the early successes of our dual credit program and committed to assisting all students achieve academic success. We are thankful for the overwhelming support of Central High School and for Shantel’s dedication and enthusiasm.”
SPHIS plans to expand the dual credit offerings and look forward to working with other JCPS schools as we identify opportunities to prepare the next generation of public health professionals and meet workforce demands.
Reach out to Tammi Thomas to learn more.
High school students experience simulated public health crisis at UofL, Morehead State
An April program at the University of Louisville served as the pilot program on public health crises for a simulation to be held at Morehead State University on Monday.
High school students acted as health officials, responding to a simulated infectious disease outbreak public health crisis at the UofL Health Sciences Center on April 15. Event organizers from UofL’s School of Medicine and School of Public Health and Information Sciences and the Kentucky Department for Public Health guided approximately 20 Central High School students through a series of activities to identify the source of a disease outbreak and plan a response.
Presented with a health crisis scenario, the students researched three potential diagnoses, interviewed standardized patients and participated in a “tick drag” to gather insects they suspected to be the source of infections. After determining the outbreak was caused by Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, the students designed a public health plan to curb the spread.
The project was a pilot for a larger event that took place June 5 at Morehead State University for 32 students in the Rogers Scholars Program. It was designed to interest the students in health careers.
