www.sph.umich.edu/sep

The School of Public Health at the University of Michigan is committed to eliminating racial, ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in health (health disparities). Simply stated, health disparities mean that, in the U.S., people of color and the poor experience lower health status than Caucasians and higher-income Americans. These disparities represent inequalities in that people of color and low-income people should be able to enjoy the same health status as whites and more affluent Americans, but they are systematically exposed to conditions and situations that have negative consequences for their health.

As part of this commitment, the School of Public Health offers health management and policy internships and class work in a summer program that addresses these health disparities. The internships, which provide paid placements in hospitals, community health programs, public health departments, and other health services and public health agencies in Detroit, Ann Arbor and Flint, enable students to work in organizations that confront these disparities every day.

The SEP encourages undergraduates to consider health management and policy as an attractive career option through which they can address health disparities by familiarizing them with the field through a structured summer work experience. Each placement is designed to offer a stimulating opportunity for awareness, learning and growth. The ultimate goal is to increase participation of students committed to eliminating health disparities in this important and exciting field.

Stipend
All students are provided a tax-free stipend of $3000 for the 8-week program. The stipend is paid in three parts: one at the beginning of the program, another three weeks later, and the final payment is made just prior to the end of the summer.

Transportation
All students who do not either reside in Southeast Michigan or attend the University of Michigan, are provided with prepaid transportation to and from Ann Arbor from their home or school. Airline fares and ground transportation from the Detroit Airport to Ann Arbor are handled by the program.

The program also rents a fleet of vans or cars that enables students to carpool from Ann Arbor to their workplace every weekday. The program pays for the rental of these vehicles and for the cost of fuel. Occasionally, students who live in the area prefer to commute to work in their own cars. In such cases, the program will reimburse the student for the cost of gasoline.

Housing
Students in SEP all stay in a University of Michigan Residence Hall during the program. Housing is provided at no cost to the students. Instructions regarding items students need to bring with them for the summer are provided once students are accepted into the program.

Food Allowance
Students are provided with $250 to help with the cost of food for the summer. Students typically cook their own meals in the residence hall (which has a full kitchen) or eat meals at local restaurants. Because of their work schedules, SEP students cannot participate in regular meals prepared in the University's Dining Halls.

Applications and letters of recommendation must be received by Friday, February 12, 2012.