Amy Kuntz
Specialization:
Agency Name: The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Agency Location: Columbus, Ohio
Every year, Public Health Buckeyes take what they learn in their Master of Public Health programs and put it to practice. These applied practice experiences help students meet educational and professional development goals.
“My project I used for my APE was life-changing for me. I learned a great deal about my subject and the impact it has on the people who participated.”
Question:
What were you able to accomplish in your practicum?
I work on a research study here at Ohio State — the HEALing Communities Study in the College of Medicine and the Wexner Medical Center. The goal is to reduce opioid overdose deaths by 40% over the course of the study by implementing community-chosen, evidence-based practices in the areas of overdose education and naloxone distribution, medication for opioid use disorder and safer prescribing.
For HEALing, we were looking for a way to integrate the perspectives of people with lived experience to give them a voice in the research and to help give them a platform to share their personal stories. As a community data coordinator for Cuyahoga County, I was tasked with implementing a qualitative research project using photography and stories in a community. While this project was adjacent to the larger study, it was not used directly in the HEALing Communities Study protocol. The case study analysis and subsequent outcomes presentation was the basis of my APE. This project was used to look at the outcomes of courses of action that are taken based on feedback from participants.
Question:
What advice would you give to students completing their APE?
Find a topic that you’re passionate about. Even if it’s not the subject area you want to continue studying. You will stay engaged with the topic so much more if you do that. Start writing early! Start your literature reviews almost immediately after picking your topic. Don’t wait until you have all the information to put words on paper.