Wednesday, July 3, 2013

MAPPR Intern Experience

From March 2012

Since the beginning of September 2011, the Department of Family Medicine Research, specifically the Mecklenburg Area Partnership for Primary Care Research (MAPPR) team has been hosting two undergraduate interns from the University of North Carlina at Charlotte Public Health Sciences program:  Taja Allen and myself, Kendra Harris.  Under the supervision of Brisa Hernandez, Research Coordinator of the MAPPR team, Taja and I have had the opportunity to work on various research projects.

Our time has been spent using our academic background in public health to analyze data from a community intervention program targeted at obesity in Hispanic/Latino women, researching various health programs and intervention for literature reviews, transcribing focus group and key informant interviews, and writing for manuscripts and the monthly MAPPR newsletter.  Not only have we contributed to several projects, we have also had the opportunity to meet several community stakeholders and organizations and gain direct exposure to the community-based participatory approach to health care that is the foundation of MAPPR's mission statement.

Our professional and personal growth has been nurtured through a highly emphasized open-door communication style and team-orientation.  Our roles as interns have been emphasized as a vital part of the team, making us truly understand the value and importance of teamwork.  This experience has provided Taja and I with invaluable professional research experience that will help us become more rounded public health professionals.

- Kendra Harris

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