The DC Metro Urban Health Program (UHP) at George Washington University offers students a unique opportunity to engage in community-based public health initiatives and make a meaningful impact in the DC community. This program is open to residential GW Public Health students and provides a platform for students to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world public health practice.
UHP is a service-learning initiative that fulfills academic and graduation requirements for many students. It offers a year-long opportunity for students to work with Community Partners on projects that address urgent public health priorities in the DC area. Urban Health Fellows join Learning Communities, consisting of fellow students, mentors, and Community Partner preceptors, to implement these projects and contribute to social change.
Throughout the program, Fellows engage in service-learning trainings to equip them with the necessary tools for effective community engagement. Monthly Community Conversations provide a space for critical thinking and reflection on their service experiences and their role in addressing larger public health issues in the community.
For students interested in becoming an Urban Health Fellow, applications for the 2024-2025 cohort are open from August 19th to September 6th. This opportunity is available to residential GWSPH undergraduate and graduate students enrolled for the entire academic year. The application can be found on the program’s website.
Service-learning is at the core of UHP, allowing students to engage with DC communities in a mutually beneficial partnership to promote health and social change. Learning Communities bring together students with diverse skills and experiences to address community-identified public health issues in groups of 5-7 members.
Urban Health Fellows can expect to gain real-world experience in public health projects, practice leadership and communication skills, learn from and work with Community Partners, build networking connections, and develop a deeper understanding of service that centers social justice.
Minimum requirements for UHP Fellows include active participation in trainings and engagements with Community Partners, dedicating 2-5 hours per week between October and April, and completing any required background checks or screenings.
The program is partnered with organizations such as DC Public Schools, Latin American Youth Center, and Housing Up, where Fellows have engaged in projects to advance high school students‘ knowledge, provide educational trainings on youth substance prevention, and support projects in adult health literacy and family engagement.
If you represent a Community-Based Organization in the DMV area and are interested in becoming a UHP Community Partner, you can reach out to the program through their contact email. Overall, the DC Metro Urban Health Program offers students a valuable opportunity to engage in community-based public health practice, gain practical skills, and contribute to positive change in the DC community.
