![AHD banner for website](https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/84/2024/08/AHD-banner-for-website-2.png)
As an Academic Health Department (AHD) we work closely with colleges, universities, and students to enhance public health education, research, and impact. By instituting academic partnerships and offering internships and other educational opportunities, we can share the local public health experience with current and future students; promote public health as a meaningful career choice; and infuse fresh perspectives, ideas, and expertise into our mission of supporting communities through prevention, promotion, and protection.
Types of Student Experiences We Offer
A internship is for students to gain hands-on experience in public health for academic credit, or for experience only. Internships vary in the structure, duration and project scope. Most recently, Chickahominy Health District has had interns in the Environmental Health division, and the Community Health division.
A volunteer experience may include job shadowing, working on a specific task for the health department for service hours, and/or to gain community impact experience.
A research student experience may entail working with a specific department such as Epidemiology to research a specific topic, data set, or project for a set amount of hours, possibly for credit or experience only.