About
Our Public Health program encourages people from across a variety of disciplines to work together to explore the causes of the world’s health problems and develop solutions.
Saint Michael’s College is rooted in a passion for bettering our world and an academic tradition of interdisciplinary work, giving students an ideal place to engage in the inquiry and action needed for success in public health. The College provides a path for a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts in Public Health.
As a discipline, public health is especially concerned with people’s access to health care, the quality of that care, disease prevention, and the sustainability of the health care system.
Learn more about the Public Health program from our Saint Michael’s professors in the video below:
The College also offers a graduate certificate in Health Equity for those students who want to continue their education and learn more about the timely and urgent challenge of health equity.
Faculty
Political Science and International Relations
Patricia Siplon
Dean’s Fellow for Development and Innovation, Professor of Political Science, Director of Public Health
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Sociology/Anthropology
Adrie Kusserow
Department Chair, Professor of Sociology and Anthropology
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In Depth
What is Public Health?
Public health is a field that has its origins in science and in the social reform movements of 19th century Europe and U.S. Public health focuses on the biosocial determinants of disease and the health of populations. As a discipline, public health is especially concerned with people’s access to health care, the quality of that care, disease prevention, and the sustainability of the health care system.
Special Opportunities
Internships
Many local and regional organizations offer health-related internships to Public Health majors, including:
- American Cancer Society
- American Red Cross
- Boston Children’s Hospital
- UVM Medical Center
- Associates of Cape Cod, Inc.
- Associates in Orthodontics
- Boston Children’s Hospital
- Whole Health Nutrition
- Woodside Juvenile Rehabilitation Center
- Champlain Valley Agency on Aging
- Community Health Centers of Burlington
- Essex Physical Therapy
- Hampton Physical Therapy
- Howard Center for Human Services
- Maitri Health Care
- Brain Injury Association of Vermont
Graduate Certificate
Students can earn a certificate in Health Equity through our Health Equity Certificate program. Learn more about the program here
Research
Public Health majors have the opportunity to conduct original research projects in collaboration with a faculty mentor. The Trustee Scholar Program provides students with stipends for full-time summer research projects. Other student-faculty research is funded through external grants from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, or other private foundations or government agencies.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering with local health providers is a great way to help the community while gaining valuable experience. For information about finding clinical experiences and making the most out of your volunteer opportunities, visit the Association of American Medical Colleges.
Saint Michael’s College Fire and Rescue
The SMC Rescue Unit is a unique way for students to gain real-world, hands-on medical experience. Student crews respond to 2200 calls annually, dealing with medical emergencies in nearby towns. Student volunteers can earn CPR, EMT, and Advanced EMT certification.
University of Vermont Medical Center
There are many positions available at the nearby UVM Medical Center, including:
- Art from the Heart: Assist with art sessions for children on the Pediatrics Unit
- Emergency Department Waiting Room: Serve as a liaison between staff, family, and patients. Escort visiting family members.
- Pediatrics: Participate in Child Life Play Program: involve pediatric patients in play activities. Training provided by Child Life Specialist.
- Surgical Intensive Care Unit/Medical Intensive Care Unit Liaison: Assist staff by supporting families of patients who are in the SICU/MICU waiting areas. Act as a liaison between families and staff.
- No One Dies Alone Volunteer: Volunteer to sit vigil with dying patients in the absence of family or friends.
Visiting Nurse Association
The Visiting Nurse Association provides volunteer opportunities in hospice, respite care, and other areas.
Careers
Saint Michael’s has a long tradition of success for graduates entering healthcare professions. Professional schools our students have attended in recent years include:
Medical:
Albany Medical College
Dartmouth Medical School
New York University School of Medicine
University of Connecticut Medical School
University of Vermont School of Medicine
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Dental:
NYU Dental School
SUNY-Buffalo Dental School
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine
University of Pennsylvania School of Dentistry
Not all health careers require you to go to graduate school. Entry-level positions are available for Health Science majors at hospitals, community health centers, clinics, private health care practices, relief organizations, home health care agencies, rehabilitation centers, hospices, sports and fitness facilities, the Centers for Disease Control, refugee and immigrant organizations, non-profits such as the American Cancer Society, and nursing and residential care facilities.
In Depth
What is Public Health?
Public health is a field that has its origins in science and in the social reform movements of 19th century Europe and U.S. Public health focuses on the biosocial determinants of disease and the health of populations. As a discipline, public health is especially concerned with people’s access to health care, the quality of that care, disease prevention, and the sustainability of the health care system.
Special Opportunities
Internships
Many local and regional organizations offer health-related internships to Public Health majors, including:
- American Cancer Society
- American Red Cross
- Boston Children’s Hospital
- UVM Medical Center
- Associates of Cape Cod, Inc.
- Associates in Orthodontics
- Boston Children’s Hospital
- Whole Health Nutrition
- Woodside Juvenile Rehabilitation Center
- Champlain Valley Agency on Aging
- Community Health Centers of Burlington
- Essex Physical Therapy
- Hampton Physical Therapy
- Howard Center for Human Services
- Maitri Health Care
- Brain Injury Association of Vermont
Graduate Certificate
Students can earn a certificate in Health Equity through our Health Equity Certificate program. Learn more about the program here
Research
Public Health majors have the opportunity to conduct original research projects in collaboration with a faculty mentor. The Trustee Scholar Program provides students with stipends for full-time summer research projects. Other student-faculty research is funded through external grants from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, or other private foundations or government agencies.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering with local health providers is a great way to help the community while gaining valuable experience. For information about finding clinical experiences and making the most out of your volunteer opportunities, visit the Association of American Medical Colleges.
Saint Michael’s College Fire and Rescue
The SMC Rescue Unit is a unique way for students to gain real-world, hands-on medical experience. Student crews respond to 2200 calls annually, dealing with medical emergencies in nearby towns. Student volunteers can earn CPR, EMT, and Advanced EMT certification.
University of Vermont Medical Center
There are many positions available at the nearby UVM Medical Center, including:
- Art from the Heart: Assist with art sessions for children on the Pediatrics Unit
- Emergency Department Waiting Room: Serve as a liaison between staff, family, and patients. Escort visiting family members.
- Pediatrics: Participate in Child Life Play Program: involve pediatric patients in play activities. Training provided by Child Life Specialist.
- Surgical Intensive Care Unit/Medical Intensive Care Unit Liaison: Assist staff by supporting families of patients who are in the SICU/MICU waiting areas. Act as a liaison between families and staff.
- No One Dies Alone Volunteer: Volunteer to sit vigil with dying patients in the absence of family or friends.
Visiting Nurse Association
The Visiting Nurse Association provides volunteer opportunities in hospice, respite care, and other areas.
Careers
Saint Michael’s has a long tradition of success for graduates entering healthcare professions. Professional schools our students have attended in recent years include:
Medical:
Albany Medical College
Dartmouth Medical School
New York University School of Medicine
University of Connecticut Medical School
University of Vermont School of Medicine
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Dental:
NYU Dental School
SUNY-Buffalo Dental School
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine
University of Pennsylvania School of Dentistry
Not all health careers require you to go to graduate school. Entry-level positions are available for Health Science majors at hospitals, community health centers, clinics, private health care practices, relief organizations, home health care agencies, rehabilitation centers, hospices, sports and fitness facilities, the Centers for Disease Control, refugee and immigrant organizations, non-profits such as the American Cancer Society, and nursing and residential care facilities.
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