����̽̽

“In Vermont from 2011 to 2022, more individuals passed away from gunshot wounds than car crashes,” said Ella Kenney, Public Health Sciences ’25, of the reason she chose to intern with Vermont Area Health Education Centers (VT AHEC) this summer on a project to promote firearm safety. Working on a team with three graduate students studying medicine and clinical mental health counseling, Kenney researched firearm injury statistics and interviewed healthcare providers to create a pamphlet to facilitate patient-provider conversations about gun safety.

“This project has taught me about the groundwork of quality improvement projects, research, and public health,” said Kenney. The experience also enhanced Kenney's interpersonal and communication skills, essential for public health practice, and her confidence in her ideas.

“Learning about public health is one thing, but being involved in creating change is entirely different,” said Kenney. “By creating and spreading awareness about firearm safety, I hope we can connect Vermonters to necessary support and services so that they make proactive choices to protect themselves and their loved ones.”