Ana Davila-Palafox, MPH’26
When Racism Becomes Pathology and Belonging Becomes Medicine: A Mixed Methods Translation of the CREATE Study
From Research to Impact: Strengthening Health Systems & Communities Through Innovation and Lived Experience
Throughout Dartmouth's Applied Practice Experiences, students apply rigorous public health training to create meaningful, real-world impact. The projects below include examining how racism becomes biologically embodied, exploring how a sense of belonging can serve as a protective factor, expanding postpartum mental health support for rural mothers, enhancing climate resilience in cancer care delivery, and responsibly integrating artificial intelligence into inpatient pharmacy practices. These projects address complex health challenges facing our communities today and encompass areas such as community-based research, health systems innovation, climate and sustainability, workforce retention, and emerging technologies. Each initiative is rooted in a commitment to equity, lived experience, and improving healthcare access and quality in underserved and rural populations.
The practicums highlighted below offer a glimpse into the diverse work taking place across Dartmouth’s Master of Public Health programs. Students often collaborate with hospitals, community organizations, public health agencies, and research teams to design interventions, evaluate programs, influence policy, and develop tools that strengthen health systems and the communities they serve. Whether advancing cardiovascular health equity, expanding digital doula support, ensuring continuity of oncology care during extreme weather events, or developing ethical AI frameworks to reduce provider burnout and enhance medication safety, Dartmouth students leave their practicums having made measurable contributions and having grown as equity-focused public health leaders.
We are extremely proud of the impactful work our students consistently demonstrate through their practicum projects. Congratulations to all!
Jillian Berch, MPH’26
DoulaConnect: Supporting Mothers in Rural New England Through a Pilot Text-Messaging Intervention Addressing Postpartum Depression
Kamryn Thomas, MPH'26
Climate Resilience in Cancer Care Delivery: Paying Particular Attention to Rural and Cold-Climate Regions
Pranati Kuchimanchi, MPH’26
The AI Prescription: The Role of AI in Advancing Workforce Retention and Medication Safety in Remote Hospitals
POSTED 2/18/2026 AT 12:04 PM IN #practicum #applied practice experience #mph #postersession #MS #2026