Transforming Knowledge Into Action

Public health students gain real-world experience through internship program

The Public Health internship course at Belmont University is more than a graduation requirement—it’s a bridge between classroom learning and community impact. Rooted in the Transformational Practice pillar of the College of Pharmacy and Health Science’s Mission, this hands-on experience equips students with the opportunity to put their education into action while addressing real-world health challenges.

For Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) student Dayanara Sanchez-Nunez, her internship at Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center, in partnership with Nashville Health, brought her coursework on Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) to life. Tasked with supporting a hypertension study in East Nashville, Dayanara organized participant data and scrubbed medical records to protect patient privacy—all in service of a larger mission: reducing barriers to care.

"I learned so much about how access—or the lack of it—shapes health outcomes,” she shared. “From transportation to culturally appropriate food options, it became clear how interconnected our environment is to our well-being.” The study’s collaboration with organizations like the Nashville Food Project, DoorDash, and Senior Ride Nashville showcased the power of cross-sector partnerships in public health.

Dayanara credits her Belmont courses with preparing her for this experience. “Program planning and evaluation were concepts I had studied, but in my internship, I got to experience them in action. It really solidified my desire to work with underrepresented communities globally.” She added that the internship helped her strengthen essential skills like communication, collaboration, and adaptability—qualities that will serve her wherever her career takes her.

Jaylen Palmer, another BSPH student, completed her internship as a Population Health Intern at LifePoint Health in Brentwood, TN. Her work focused on analyzing patient claims, identifying high-cost cases, and tracking healthcare utilization across the system’s network.

“I was drawn to the intersection of data analysis and patient care,” Jaylen said. “It was eye-opening to see how crucial it is to connect financial insights with patient outcomes, ensuring that care remains both high-quality and cost effective.”

Her coursework in Population Health and SDOH gave her the tools to interpret complex data sets and contribute meaningfully from the start. “The internship confirmed that healthcare administration is the path I want to pursue. It prepared me to take the next step—first at Vanderbilt University Medical Center as a healthcare administrator, and now in my current role as Associate Program Manager in their Office of Advanced Practice.”

Public Health faculty member Dr. Emmanuel Akowuah reflected on the value of the internship experience: “Our students don’t just complete an internship—they step into roles where they are solving real problems. These experiences transform the way they view public health, equipping them with a deeper understanding of systems, community engagement, and impact.”

For both Dayanara and Jaylen, the Public Health internship was a transformative step—not only confirming their professional goals but also reinforcing the power of public health to change lives.

As Dayanara puts it, “A classroom can only take you so far. Seeing your work make a real difference—even for one person—makes everything you’ve learned feel purposeful.”

Community partners are vital to the success of this program. By opening their doors to students, clinics, healthcare systems, and nonprofits help shape the next generation of public health professionals. These collaborations not only enhance student learning but also strengthen community health efforts across Middle Tennessee and beyond.