Public Health students take learning journey to The Health Plan

Students in the West Virginia University School of Public Health recently got a look into an important aspect of the healthcare system. Undergraduate students who are focusing their studies in the Patient Navigation area of emphasis traveled to The Health Plan in Wheeling, W.Va., for a day of learning on Nov. 15.

With help from Josh Austin, director of provider strategic initiatives at The Health Plan and a WVU School of Public Health alumnus, the experience was arranged by Director of Public Health Practice and Service Learning Audra Hamrick and Assistant Professor Toni Morris. Experiential learning is an invaluable, complementary component of the classroom experience, according to Hamrick.

“Stepping out of the classroom allows students to conceptualize the knowledge and skills they are acquiring throughout their public health coursework,” said Hamrick. “Providing opportunities for students to experience the public health work force firsthand and to interact with the professionals who are considered ‘boots on the ground’ is crucial as we strive to educate workforce-ready graduates.”

Throughout the day, students had the opportunity to hear from directors representing different divisions of The Health Plan to learn about the history of health maintenance organizations (HMOs), clinical services provided to residents throughout the state and work being done by its Population Health Unit. The group was also able to spend time with CEO James Pennington, a WVU alumnus, who advised the students to be adaptable and know that the healthcare and insurance industries are constantly evolving.

Educational experiences arranged by faculty members are just one of the ways students in the Public Health program engage with the community. All students complete a field placement experience in a local or regional agency or institution where they can put their classroom lessons to work.

 

-WVU-

jw/12/19/19

CONTACT: Nikky Luna
Director of Marketing and Communications
WVU School of Public Health
304.293.1699; Nikky.Luna@hsc.wvu.edu