FIELD EXPERIENCE WITH THE GEARY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Abstract

This is a report of field experience with the Geary County Health Department (GCHD) in Junction City, Kansas. The GCHD seeks to improve public health, promote community well-being, prevent diseases, and protect the community from public health hazards. Two hundred and forty hours of field experience were completed under the supervision of Barbara Berry MS, MA, APRN, BC from June 17 to July 31, 2013. The field experience involved a variety of activities including attending internal planning meetings and meetings with collaborative partners, assisting with the implementation of a text4baby awareness campaign, developing messages that influence behavior of target groups, reviewing the disease investigation process, and shadowing staff during their day-to-day activities. The field experience was focused on communicating ideas that promote health and prevent diseases. The GCHD has been serving the Junction City-Geary County and Fort Riley areas since 1949. Services provided by the GCHD include: environmental, child care licensing, women infants and children (WIC) services, clinical services (family planning, STD/HIV/AIDs testing, immunizations, healthy start home visits, maternal child health, Junction City Youth Clinic, paternity testing, physicals, and TB testing), and health education. This report describes the field experience with the GCHD, addresses projects completed, experiences and academic application, and offers recommendations for the GCHD.