This past summer, MPH student Tess Rodenberger spent seven weeks at the Togolese Association for Family Well-Being (ATBEF) in Lomé to complete her Applied Practicum Experience (APE) – “the best decision I ever made,” she said. At ATBEF, she participated in providing free contraceptives, conducted a needs assessment to improve outreach services, and assisted in grant development. Her practicum was facilitated by Kokou Agoudavi, MD, PHPM, SQIL, a public health expert in Togo. Dr. Agoudavi was a WSPH Humphrey Fellowship Scholar (2008-2009) and a former student of the International Health department.
Dr. Kokou “Happy” Agoudavi had this to say about mentoring Tess: “It is with great pride and genuine enthusiasm that I participated in mentoring Tess during her hands-on immersion in the exciting realities of public health in Africa.”
Tess’s APE is the result of Dr. Agoudavi’s strong connections that he has maintained with Dr. Anastasia Gage, a professor in the department. “This is the true power of strategic networking: building lasting bridges that open new horizons and foster development,” Dr. Agoudavi says.
The opportunity to sponsor a practicum is open to alumni and other public health professionals and organizations. Such opportunities allow students to apply their classroom knowledge in real-world settings and make contributions to a host institution’s program.
