Wood County CHIP Team:
Nutrition Efforts Bear Fruit
Dressing up like a bunch of grapes and handing out free fruit samples to grocery store shoppers wasn't necessarily in the fine print of her job description. Yet Paj Ntaub Vang gamely donned a fruit costume on several occasions – among other unusual activities that raised awareness of healthy food choices for the local community during a summer internship with Wisconsin AHEC's CHIP program (Community Heath Internship Program).
Paj Ntaub, known as "Pajin," was paired with mentor Kristie Rauter in the Wood County Health Department. Kristie's CHIP proposal requested an intern to assist with improving the availability of healthy foods and beverages and increasing opportunities for physical activity in Wood County, working with the Healthy People Wood County Obesity Prevention Team on a grant through the CDC called "Communities Putting Prevention to Work." The team experienced positive results.
Throughout the course of the 8-week CHIP internship, Pajin and Kristie implemented numerous strategies designed to introduce or reinforce the concept of nutritious food choices and health promotion. In addition to providing free samples of fresh fruit, they produced and posted a video on YouTube, submitted a letter to the editor that was published in the local newspaper, and hosted preschoolers on field trips to the fresh produce aisle to learn about fruits and vegetables and do some taste testing. They also conducted health inspections, surveys of WIC program participants, and other routine health department activities.
"Once I got the hang of things, I was able to put my input into projects and decide what I wanted to do and what I could do best," Pajin wrote. "I just finished Wood County's public health video, which is now online. With this I was able to use my hobby of movie making, and passion for health to advocate public health."
The mentor/intern team developed a close relationship over the course of the summer. Pajin told us that she appreciated Kristie's willingness to help her find housing in Wisconsin Rapids for the summer. Making new connections in the local community, or renewing old ties, is among the intangible related benefits to CHIP interns.
"Not only did I gain knowledge and experience, but also life long friends," Pajin said. "Everyone here is so friendly and hard working, driven and passionate about what they do. They are motivating and are definitely inspiring. I had a LOT of FUN, maybe too much fun. I wish there was more time so that I could accomplish so much more."
Pajin earned her bachelor's degree in biology with a certificate in gender and women's studies, and completed undergraduate research in obesity and nutrition. She is currently working toward a Masters in Public Health at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as well as doing coalition work with the Hmong Health Council. Pajin is from Appleton, Wisconsin. She definitely plans to continue in health-related work, and specifically hopes to pursue an MD and go into Obstetrics and Gynecology. Though she is unlikely to reprise her role as a bunch of grapes, her efforts in this area will continue to bear fruit for many years to come.
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About CHIP
The Community Health Internship Program (CHIP) is a program of the Wisconsin AHEC System, administered through the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. The CHIP program links college undergraduate and graduate student interns with local health departments, community health centers and other community health agencies throughout the state to work on public health projects to benefit the local community or region.
"The program would not be possible without the support and commitment of local health departments and community agencies," says Nancy Sugden, director of the Wisconsin AHEC System. "On-site mentors provide technical support and assistance and facilitate shadowing opportunities to help interns gain an understanding and appreciation of the broad range of public health activities undertaken at the local level."
Students selected for the program are usually college juniors or seniors, first year health professions graduate students or other graduate students with a strong interest in public health. The program is offered at county health department sites and other locations statewide. Students receive a modest stipend to cover their living expenses during the eight-week program. A similar six-week program is offered in Milwaukee.
The statewide CHIP program currently places 20-30 interns each summer in locations across the state, and the Milwaukee CHIP program places another 30 students in the Milwaukee and southeast Wisconsin region. To be eligible for consideration, applicants must demonstrate a strong academic record and interest in a career path related to public health.
Posted on October 12; updated on
November 5, 2010
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