Bridging academia and public health: A semester of collaboration

In partnership with the Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department (KCHCSD), seven dedicated WMU Public Health students in Dr. Robert Bensley’s Public Health Intervention Strategies class have completed a semester-long project. Each had spent months developing health communication plans, addressing real-world issues shared by Kim Kutzko, an epidemiologist at KCHCSD. 

In August, Kim presented a series of pressing health challenges to the students. With her guidance and the support of Dr. Bensley, the students embarked on a journey to create impactful solutions. They utilized Perplexity, an advanced AI program to enhance their plans, becoming adept at crafting precise and effective prompts. Students focused on several health issues in the plans, including STI testing, social isolation, vaccinations, preventing respiratory illnesses (COVID, Flu, RSV), healthy eating, breast cancer screening, heart disease and cancer prevention. 

As the day of the presentations arrived, the students gathered at KCHCSD to present to eight staff members from the agency, including Kim. For two hours, the students presented their innovative plans, each one showcasing a unique approach to tackling the health issues at hand. 

The partnership between the university and KCHCSD has always been strong, but this project highlighted its true value. Not only did it provide students with practical experience, but it also benefited the agency by bringing fresh perspectives and solutions. The presentations were a resounding success.  

Each semester, KCHCSD hires two BSPH students to work part-time, gaining invaluable experience while contributing to the agency's mission. 

The project has not only equipped the students with health communication skills but also made them proficient in using AI tools like Perplexity. It was a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation, paving the way for future successes in public health. 

If you are interested in learning more about public health or other interdisciplinary health programs, please visit https://wmich.edu/healthprograms