Emily Miron (SBS)
Career goal:
Become the vice president of community health improvement at a large health system.
Internship outline:
This summer I interned in the Community Health Department at Yale New Haven Health System. I worked on two key projects related to the community health needs assessment process including:
- data analysis of the DataHaven Community Wellbeing Survey and
- the development of dashboards, presentations and one-page summaries to evaluate and enhance the CHNA/CHIP process.
In addition, I was able to meet and learn from leaders across the system and key external partners involved in health promotion and social determinant of health initiatives around Connecticut and Rhode Island.
Value of experience:
This was the best internship experience I could have asked for. I worked with a fantastic team and learned so much from them every day. Previously, I really only thought of hospitals or health systems as sites of tertiary care, but learned just how much health systems are innovatively working on primary prevention by convening local health departments, non-profits, hospitals and many other organizations to promote health equity through health education, access to care and community development.
Best moment/experience:
I have always been passionate about local health issues and drawn to community-engaged work. Two of the most impactful experiences I had this summer were volunteering at the monthly mobile food pantry at Bridgeport Hospital and Know Your Numbers (a free health screening program) at Immanuel Baptist Church in New Haven.