The Peer Health Education Program, an on-campus internship through the University Health Center, is accepting applications for spring term.
Covering a combination of public policy, personal wellness and health care issues, students in the program make a two-term commitment to serve as peer health educators for the health center’s Health Promotion Department.
Peer health education coordinator Ramah Leith will select 10 to 12 students, who must have at least sophomore standing, for the program that starts in the spring.
In the first term of the program, students will cover health topics including stress reduction, depression, substance abuse, eating disorders and nutrition and will learn about services and resources offered at the health center.
“(Students) act as peer-to-peer educators because people are sometimes more likely to ask questions of people their own age,” Leith said. “They are meant to be the referral resource for the health center.”
Peer health educators give presentations to various student groups and classes, hold office hours at the health center and provide students with information on the services and resources offered at the health center. Students also work on public policy issues such as smoke-free initiatives with the Clean Air Project.
PHE practicum student Ryan Bourdo said that if for no other reason, he recommends students apply for the program for the personal health information taught. This information, Leith said, arms students with the knowledge to take care of themselves.
In the second term of the program, peer health educators learn about global health care systems, health insurance and environmental health issues. Bourdo, a University senior, is a first-year PHE practicum student who started in the program as a peer health educator two years ago. Bourdo wants to be a doctor, but said his experience in PHE has fueled his interest in public health, something he now considers incorporating in his future career.
While many students in the program are preparing for careers in medicine and health, Leith said, students of non-health-related majors have participated and are welcome to apply.
“What I really like about the program is that I can find my little niche in the health field,” he said. “I’m now thinking about becoming a doctor and working in the public health sector.”
Leith said leadership experience is among the most valuable skills students take away from PHE, and she is looking for enthusiastic, responsible and organized student candidates who are willing to learn and want to educate their peers.
Students will earn eight upper-division credits and attend class from 10 to 11:50 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The application deadline is March 6, but Leith encourages students to apply now because the first 12 qualified applicants will be selected.
To complete and submit an application, go to http://healthcenter.uoregon.edu/healthed/index.html.
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