Spring ‘24 Practicum Reflections: Erika Koelpin, RN, MPH
In May 2024, Erika Koelpin completed her Master of Public Health in Epidemiology and completed her practicum with UTHealth Houston School of Public Health Center for Health Equity (CHE).
Having worked as an ICU nurse with pediatric and adult patients, Koelpin was frustrated witnessing patients experience complications related to chronic conditions. She began to ask herself, “How can we prevent these issues from occurring?” To solve this problem, Koelpin decided to look up MPH programs.
The reputation of the School of Public Health and the flexibility of the Online MPH Epidemiology program appealed to her since her job as a nurse required her to move frequently. She focused on Epidemiology because it provided a broad overview of public health and, having been in healthcare, the study of diseases intrigued her.
Her advisor and CHE director, Shreela Sharma, PhD, RDN, LD, suggested she complete her practicum with the CHE to aid in solving health complications as a preventative measure.
Koelpin assisted with a variety of projects through her practicum with CHE. She’s helped test an interactive chatbot that will provide nutrition tips and answer any diet-related questions for participants in the Produce Prescription study for pregnant mothers with Harris Health System. She expanded this network by contacting patients to enroll in another health initiative Produce Prescription study with pregnant mothers enrolled in Community Health Choice’s Medicaid plan.
Koelpin states, “I’ve learned about studies, seen how a research team works, and understood how data is collected and analyzed in real-time. The inclusive environment and hands-on experience with real-time data were the highlights of my journey. In contrast to the intense environment of nursing, research allows for a more comprehensive understanding of patient needs. Both fields share the common goal of education, which I find fulfilling.”
After graduation, her plan is to combine her experience in nursing and public health in a nurse research role. The practicum journey has served as a testament to the power of lifelong learning and adaptability in healthcare.