JCPH intern gains first-hand experience


Kaci Ginn
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     There’s a new face assisting Jones County Emergency Management and Jones County Public Health as the county works through the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

     Kaci Ginn of Anamosa is a third-year Public Health BA (bachelor of arts) student at the University of Iowa College of Public Health.

     Ginn isn’t necessarily a new face to Jones County, but is seen more now during her recent internship attending county supervisor meetings. She was a Public Health intern for Administrator Jenna Lovaas during her senior year at Anamosa High School, thanks to Workplace Learning.

     “I have since been back twice to work with Public Health during school breaks on various projects,” said Ginn. Those projects included: community outreach, health education, and data collection for the countywide Community Health Needs Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan.

     Now, Ginn is working with Public Health in coordination with Emergency Management (EMA), “as well as local and state partners to support the COVID-19 response within Jones County,” explained Ginn.

     Some of her specific duties right now include:

     • Coordinating Zoom meetings with community partners

     • Participating in meetings and committees

     • Creating and publishing posts for JCPH on social media

     • Developing press releases and other communication to share with the public

     • Assist EMA

     • Assist the Jones County Supervisors and County Auditor Janine Sulzner as necessary

     This internship, while Ginn isn’t able to physically attend classes at UI, is aiding in her education now more than ever.

     “Nearly all of the courses I have taken thus far at UI have been applicable to the current work I am doing,” she said, emphasizing such courses as biostatistics, public health ethics, and public health emergency preparedness and response.

     Ginn’s duration with Jones County depends on how long the local assistance is needed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

     “I don’t think I could have ever predicted there would be a pandemic such as COVID-19 impacting Iowa at the same time that I was studying public health,” shared Ginn of the ironic timing. “I am eager to help the dedicated team at JCPH in any way I can as they work diligently to protect the health of Jones County residents.”

     Once Ginn does return to school, she plans to apply to the UI College of Public Health Undergrad to Grad program.

     “This program allows students to earn a bachelor of arts and masters of public health degree in an abbreviated time period,” explained Ginn.

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