Applications in Epidemiology - Supporting Suicide Prevention Internship

PLEASE NOTE: Although this posting may display a longer availability window on Handshake due to system requirements, applications for this internship must be submitted by March 20.

Description: This project will offer the student experience in the application of data analysis, interpretation and communication skills while working with data collected from public health surveillance systems. The student will work closely with KCHD epidemiologists to create infographics, charts, reports and other products to be shared with the general public and community partners. The project will focus on supporting the Kent County Suicide Prevention Coalition through analysis of data from the Kent County Medical Examiner and Michigan Syndromic Surveillance System. The student will have the opportunity participate in meetings of the Suicide Prevention Coalition and Mental Health Action Team. Familiarity with Microsoft Excel and SPSS for the management and analysis of data is required.

Importance to Public Health: KCHD has access to a wealth of public health data, but does not always have the capacity to analyze and report on these data to inform the community on key health indicators. This internship will increase the capacity of KCHD to analyze these data while offering the student the opportunity to apply their education and knowledge in a real world setting. At the end of the internship, the student will better understand the day to day operations of a local public health department and how epidemiologists are involved in aiding community health improvement initiatives through the monitoring of health indicators.

Project Deliverables: The student's main project will be the creation of an annual report of suicides occurring in Kent County during 2025 that includes analyses of surveillance data and investigation into potential contributing community risk factors. This report could be used to produce a small summary article for a local publication. The student will present their findings at the Student Research Day at the end of the spring/summer session. As time allows, the student will conduct additional epidemiological analyses and create corresponding deliverables on health topics that will be determined throughout the course of the internship period.

Minimum Qualifications: Students applying for this internship must be enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s degree program. Computer proficiency is required.