Public Health Practice is the real world application of the knowledge and skills necessary to perform essential public health services to improve the population’s health. 

The goal of the Office of Public Health Practice (OPHP) is to promote and enhance engagement between the practice community and the School of Public Health’s faculty, staff, students, and alumni.

We support the applied and interdisciplinary pursuit of scholarship in public health practice through research, teaching and service.  In order to fulfill this role, the OPHP focuses on:  

• Community Engagement
  • Fosters sustainable and equitable collaborations between students, faculty, staff, and practitioners to support the SOPH Strategic Plan.
  • Supports academic-practice linkages including the SOPH Practitioner Affiliates program.
  • Raises awareness of public health issues in our community through multiple outlets such as the OPHP seminar and podcasts series.
• Practice-based Learning Opportunities for Students
  • Connect students to applied practice experiences including internships, practicums, and service learning, education abroad, and volunteer opportunities.
  • Coordinates the MPH Capstone experience.
• Workforce Development
  • Promotes, coordinates, and tracks training and educational opportunities geared to the public health workforce.
  • Strives to connect practice and research in innovative ways through seminars, publications, and linkages with public health professional organizations.
  • Serves as a liaison for UAB Career Center and coordinates student/employer networking and engagement opportunities.
• Practice-based Services
  • Coordinates school-wide community service projects and activities.
  • Serves as the hub of the Public Health Student Association (PHSA).
  • Represents the SOPH in multiple national, state, local, and university-wide committees.