Sophia Diehl ’25 is one of 31 student fellows who completed research with a community-based organization in upstate New York this summer as a part of the Upstate Institute Summer Field School. She describes the project below in her own words:
Madison County Public Health serves their community in a variety of ways. My job is to address the dental health concerns of parents/guardians with young children (0–5 years old). The main goal of this project is to collect basic information from a behavioral standpoint from families in Madison County. As a result of this project, the county hopes to improve at-home dental health practices through the education of community members.
Through our collaboration with our community partners, we have been able to compile current information about practices, education, curriculum, and available resources. So far, I’ve learned the importance of partnerships and how valuable feedback can be. Our community partners are a huge asset to us and play an integral role in our plan to meet and improve our communities’ needs. I am tasked with researching current child care center and community partner practices; developing a survey that targets parents with children 0–5 years old; organizing parent focus groups; and educating parents about current recommendations for dental health practices.
As someone who did not grow up in New York, I was very unfamiliar with the current needs of this geographic area. The Upstate Institute presented a great opportunity for me to learn more about Madison County and its healthcare needs. At this point in my fellowship, I have learned far more than I thought was possible. Not only have I learned so much about dental health care in Madison County, but I have also learned how to perform and act in a professional environment. I have attended various meetings where I presented my project goals and current progress to public health professionals. I have also been in situations where I am learning more about other aspects of public health and what the department has to offer.
At some point, I hope to become a medical professional because I’m interested in helping others. I find value in listening and empathizing with people. I truly appreciate how my current position has allowed me to interact with the community, and I see how these skills will apply to my future profession.