Time passes quickly, as it is time to wrap up my summer practicum already? As the phrase goes: ‘time flies when you are having fun or in this case when you enjoy your work. The official end of my practicum with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dengue Branch in Puerto Rico (PR) approaches sooner than I might like. I expected to enjoy my time with the Dengue Branch, but my practicum has surpassed my anticipation! Spending a month and a few days on-site; while immersing myself in the culture was absolutely magical. So, you can imagine that saying my goodbyes were bittersweet. Upon my return to Durham, I had to recenter myself and use the rest of my time to work efficiently remotely on my practicum deliverables.
My time working on-site contributed to my good experience. Thanks to the staff for how they have treated me as a person. The work environment was always positive, and individuals spoke to me as an equal rather than just a student intern navigating her way through the halls of CDC. I cannot express how supportive my preceptor and mentor at the branch have been throughout the summer when I struggled at times with the unfinished research for my project.
Working on my last deliverable has by far been a treat. I have been working hard at drafting a concept proposal on Dengvaxia vaccine intention and its associated factors among parents in the Communities Organized to Prevent Arboviruses (COPA) projects cohort in Ponce, Puerto Rico. I am awaiting raw data that needs to be analyzed, allowing me to recall and practice my STATA skills. The analysis portion will help answer a series of important research questions on reasons for Dengvaxia vaccine hesitancy in PR while helping to inform distribution efforts and overcome barriers to vaccine uptake. Although my two projects are different, my literature review on my first deliverable aided my understanding of the historical health equity issues that might affect vaccine uptake efforts in PR.
As public health professionals, we constantly build upon new skills as we broaden our horizons as people. Continuously, this is partly due to the nature of our work promoting growth through our daily activities; and being involved in major projects and campaigns. My summer practicum projects have driven home the idea that as public health professionals, we are constantly striving to close the inequality gap between people and encourage equal opportunities for children of all ethnicities and genders. This experience has challenged me to continue to grow as a person and to continue being optimistic about the changes I can bring about as I begin my career as a global health professional. It is with great joy that I have the honor to continue my work in the fall with the intention of publishing our findings from the literature review.
Lastly, I am looking forward to enjoying the last weeks of summer before the start of the semester. Second year, here I come!
-Sarah