Residents will focus on epidemiology and program management skills, They will take part in planning, development, management, evaluation and recommendation phases of epidemiologic analyses which may cover short or long term, statewide or local events that affect either the state or a local health departments.  They will also be involved in applying epidemiologic lessons to program development.  They may be required to travel throughout the state. They will be expected to have a personal vehicle. Preceptor: Dr Robert Stroube

Local Health Department Rotation (8 weeks)

Residents will be expected to participate in all the activities in a local health department from budget planning and personnel evaluation to program analysis and revision, grant development, enforcement  activities, meetings between the health department directors and county managers and boards of supervisors.  They will also take part in targeted clinical activities and community interventions . They may be responsible for developing health information pamphlets and in community discussion with the health department. Preceptors, Local Health Department Directors.

Occupational Health/Toxicology (4 weeks)

Residents will be expected to learn to use the tools needed to perform  factory intake and dispositi0on assessments, treat on the job injury, perform disability assessments and placements, to manage return to work evaluations and permanent separation issues. They will learn about the use of substance abuse referrals.  They will also learn about hazard assessment and the joint role of industrial hygienists and occupational physicians.  Residents will also be expected to be able to describe when toxic manifestations of disease occur, the major groups of toxic agents  with which physicians may have to work with, how to advise individuals and groups about the potential effects of toxic hazards and how to minimize exposure of individuals and the work force. (Drs David Compton, James Ross, James Cesek)

Core Rotations

Elective Rotations

Chronic Disease, Occupational Health. Management and Research Rotations at the VA, usually linked to the research project(4 weeks).

Community Assessment (4 weeks) in a local health department
Analysis of the health needs of a whole community, or the need of a specified population, with a plan for action and budget needs to carry out the recommended plans.

Legislative management/tracking (4 weeks)
Virginia Department of Health with Commissioner's Legislative liaison
Joint Commission on Health Care to assist in identification of need for, and planning for new public health legislation

Mental Health practicum (4 weeks)
To learn about the range of MH, MR, SAS programs available in a local community, the priorities for service, development of long range plans, measurement of effectiveness, liaison with other agencies.

Research project to result in a publishable paper (longitudinal equivalent of 4 or more weeks of activity.

Clinical Occupational Medicine with Dr. James Ross in Petersburg, or at the VAMC (4 weeks)

Health  Care Management rotation at either Virginia Hospital Association with Dr. Carl Armstrong or at the VAMC with Dr. Karen Sanders. (4 weeks)

Health Care Quality Assessment. At the Virginia Health Quality Care center focusing on elements of evidence based standards of care, used to  measure use of federal and state funds.

Special Programs of opportunity at the VDH as regional/state crises occur ( 2-6 weeks)