Pictured above (clockwise from top left): Thomas, Vismaya, Eva and Rebecca — this summer’s interns, each bringing unique energy and perspectives to PHC’s work.

How four students are making a difference – and how the Public Health Council is building capacity through workforce development

This summer, the Public Health Council of the Upper Valley welcomes four bright, mission-driven interns to its team. Each brings a unique perspective, a hunger to learn, and a passion for improving health equity. Their work spans topics from lead poisoning prevention to strategic planning and community engagement– and their contributions are not only meaningful to their own growth, but also vital to the Council’s capacity to move key initiatives forward.

At a time when rural public health systems face workforce shortages and increasing demand, internships like these offer a win-win: they help cultivate the next generation of public health professionals and enable PHC to advance priority projects that might otherwise remain on hold. Let’s meet this summer’s interns and explore the impact they’re already making.

Vismaya: Strengthening Grassroots Public Health

A chemistry and Hispanic studies double major at Dartmouth College and an ‘82 Fellow with the Dartmouth Center for Social Impact, Vismaya has been working with the PHC since the fall of 2024. This summer, her focus is municipal engagement– connecting with town health officers and local leaders to support the creation of PHC’s regional strategic plan. She’s also helping plan the upcoming bi-state legislative event and lends a hand in PHC’s communication efforts, including assisting with blog writing. For Vismaya, seeing how deeply interconnected and personal grassroots public health can be has been a revelation. 

“You realize just how many lives are touched by local public health systems – and how important coordination is to serve people well,” she says. “This work has shown me that meaningful change often starts on the ground, in conversations with neighbors and town leaders.”

Thomas: Laying the Groundwork for a Healthier Future

Thomas, a double major in biochemistry and Spanish at Dartmouth, brings leadership experience as Executive Director of Dartmouth EMS and a background in behavioral neuroscience research. His summer project centers on developing PHC’s next Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). By meeting with partners across sectors– ranging from primary care providers to housing advocates– Thomas is gaining a holistic view of the socioeconomic and systemic factors that impact health in the Upper Valley. Whether speaking with clinicians at DHMC about substance use disorder or assisting a physician with a vaccine record correction initiative, Thomas has been struck by just how collaborative public health work truly is. One highlight? Tabling at a Hartford Community Coalition Block Party to educate community members about heat safety and sun protection.

“It’s been incredibly rewarding to meet people for whom this work is a full-time commitment,” he says. “To hear their ‘why’ reminds me how deeply meaningful public health can be.” 

Rebecca: Making Lead Awareness More Accessible

Rebecca, a rising senior at the University of Vermont majoring in Environmental Science with a Health and Society minor, is focusing her efforts on lead poisoning prevention. With family roots in both New York City and Norwich, Vermont, she brings a personal connection to the Upper Valley and a strong interest in the link between health and environment. This summer, Rebecca is working to develop more accessible and engaging educational materials for parents about the importance of lead testing in children. She’s collaborating with local organizations, including the Vermont Department of Health, WIC, and the Vermont Child Health Improvement Program, to design messaging that meets families where they are. “Connecting with parents and community members about their children’s health has been the most rewarding part,” she reflects. “This work has shown me how many people and programs work behind the scenes to keep our community healthy.”

Eva: Mapping Risk to Drive Change

Originally from Vermont and now studying Public Health at American University in Washington, D.C., Eva is passionate about the intersections between health, social justice, and equity. Her work this summer complements Rebecca’s, with a focus on researching risk factors for lead poisoning across Vermont and New Hampshire. By analyzing social and environmental data, Eva is helping identify which communities face the highest risks– and how public health efforts can better target those populations. Conversations with public health officials around the state have helped her see how rural disparities and lack of resources can pose serious barriers to health equity. “It’s been incredibly meaningful to work on an issue that directly affects the communities I grew up in,” Eva says. “This experience has given me a clear view of how I can apply what I’ve learned to create real impact.”

Workforce Development in Action

As PHC continues to address the complex health challenges facing our region– from environmental health hazards to gaps in care– building and sustaining a strong public health workforce is more important than ever. These internships are part of a broader commitment to workforce development, mentorship, and preparing future leaders to carry the torch.

At the same time, these interns are giving PHC the capacity to pursue ambitious, high-impact projects that benefit the Upper Valley. They are not only learning from the work– they are meaningfully shaping it.

— Written by Vismaya Gopalan, ’82 UVCI Fellow to the PHC, Dartmouth College

Following PHC’s legislative event, our team took the conversations and concerns raised by policymakers and went deeper. Through additional research and analysis, we developed a series of policy briefs to provide legislators with actionable insights on key public health challenges. These briefs offer evidence-based recommendations to inform decision-making and drive meaningful change. 

Below are summaries of each brief, with links to the full documents for further reading.

Enhancing Substance Misuse Treatment and Recovery Systems in New Hampshire and Vermont

Substance misuse continues to be a major public health concern in both states, with prevalence rates exceeding national averages. This policy brief outlines legislative efforts in New Hampshire and Vermont aimed at improving access to treatment, strengthening recovery housing, and implementing harm reduction strategies. Key policy actions include:

• Expanding harm reduction programs and legalizing drug-checking equipment in New Hampshire 
• Enhancing Medicaid coverage for treatment and supporting overdose prevention centers in Vermont
• Protecting funding for treatment and prevention programs, such as New Hampshire’s Alcohol Fund

Read the full policy brief here. (LINK)

Addressing the Criminalization of Homelessness Through Policy Reform

The increasing use of punitive measures against individuals experiencing homelessness has exacerbated public health and safety concerns. This policy brief highlights the urgent need for legislative action to shift from criminalization to supportive housing and services. Key recommendations include:

• Implementing right to shelter policies to ensure emergency housing for vulnerable populations
• Expanding funding for permanent supportive housing and rental assistance programs
• Reducing reliance on law enforcement for homelessness-related issues and increasing investments in social services and outreach programs

Read the full policy brief here. (LINK)

Enhancing Children’s Behavioral Health Through Funding and Workforce Initiatives

Children’s behavioral health services are facing a workforce crisis, with shortages of mental health professionals and inadequate funding creating barriers to care. This policy brief examines legislative solutions to strengthen the system and improve access to services. Key policy actions include:

• Expanding loan forgiveness programs and scholarship initiatives to increase the workforce of child behavioral health specialists
• Increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates to sustain provider participation and enhance service availability 
• Supporting school-based mental health programs to integrate behavioral health services directly into educational settings

Read the full policy brief here. (LINK)

Expanding Access to Dental Care for Medicaid Patients in the Upper Valley

Access to dental care for Medicaid patients in New Hampshire and Vermont remains a significant challenge, with low provider participation and coverage limitations restricting access. This policy brief explores legislative solutions to expand dental care access and improve oral health outcomes. Key policy actions include:

• Increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates to incentivize more dentists to accept Medicaid patients, as seen in Vermont’s recent rate adjustment to 75% of commercial rates
• Expanding comprehensive adult dental benefits to ensure coverage meets the needs of Medicaid recipients, addressing gaps in preventative care and restorative care
• Enhancing provider participation efforts by reducing administrative burdens and increasing recruitment incentives for dental professionals.

Read the full policy brief here. (LINK)

These policy briefs are designed to serve as tools for legislators, equipping them with the necessary data and context to make informed policy decisions. PHC remains committed to supporting evidence-driven solutions that address public health challenges in our communities. 

Stay connected with PHC for continued updates on our research and advocacy efforts. 

— Written by Vismaya Gopalan, ’82 UVCI Fellow to the PHC, Dartmouth College