Public health in action 

Rarely are students able to put their studies directly into practice as OHSU-PSU School of Public Health students have during the coronavirus pandemic. Thanks to a partnership with the Oregon Health Authority, graduate students are working with state and county health officials to gather information about confirmed and potential COVID-19 patients. 

Initially, the students checked on confirmed patients to track their recovery, but now they increasingly conduct contact tracing as well. 

“COVID-19 is a new disease and there are a lot of unknowns,” said Jennifer Ku, a third-year PhD student in epidemiology who is coordinating the public health students’ pandemic case management efforts. “We’re still learning about the specifics of the disease, and it’s important to trace infected individuals to learn more and plan future steps.” 

The school’s contract with the state was extended through the summer of 2021, allowing for up to 30 paid students to work part-time should the need for their services grow. For instance, they could be called in if a county lacks enough local staff to respond to a rush of new cases.

“Our students are learning in real time what public health is designed to do,” said Dr. David Bangsberg, founding dean of the School of Public Health. “And with the guidance of the leading public health professionals in our state, they are experiencing public health in action.” 

This summer, the School of Public Health received a gift of $2 million to provide flexible resources that will help researchers and educators confront the social determinants of health through an equity lens. 

Made by Boston-based philanthropists Lisa and Jim Mooney, the gift acknowledges the important role that public health practitioners, scientists and educators play in helping to shape a healthier, more equitable world.