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Capstone

A capstone project is a substantive and original body of work that allows students to synthesize and integrate knowledge from their public health and chosen focus area coursework through a written final product and e-portfolio. The capstone represents the culmination of the student’s educational experience in the Vanderbilt MPH Program.

Each student is responsible for identifying  a focus area for their capstone with the assistance and guidance of their capstone advisor.

Area of Focus

At the time they submit their Culminating Experience selection (Year 1, Spring term), each student will identify the area(s) of focus for their Capstone. Examples include:

  • Leadership and Management
  • Public Health Informatics
  • Implementation Science
  • Global Health
  • Health Policy
  • Biomedical Ethics
  • Latino and Latina Studies
  • Latin American Studies
  • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT+) Health
  • Other area of focus appropriate to the student’s educational and professional goals and approved by the Capstone adviser
Student Topic and Mentor(s)
Paul Chekuri The Impact of the Firefly Program: How the Partnership between VUMC, TennCare, and CMS Improved Quality of Care for Pregnant and Postpartum Women with Opioid Use Disorder and their Infants in Middle Tennessee
Kim Lovell, M.P.H., MBA
Brittany Gutierrez-Kitto Community Development: Designing and Implementing a Power Mapping Program
Aubrenie Jones, M.P.H.
Gabrielle Lyons Network Adequacy among Medicare Advantage Plans
John Graves, Ph.D.
Tevin Mathew Advancing Equity Through Empowerment: Identifying Barriers to Paternal Engagement and Increasing Awareness of Child Malnutrition in Rural Guatemala
Marie Martin, Ph.D., M.Ed.
Grace Ratcliff Policy and Program Evaluation: Examining the Impacts of Preventative Health Measures on Community Well-being
Stacey Pecenka, M.P.H.
Stacey Riddick Understanding the Impact of Community Engagement on Health Equity Research
Leslie Boone, M.P.H.
Student Topic and Mentor(s)
Lorely Chavez Global Leadership, Management, and Research Partnerships
Mario Avila, MBA
ePortfolio
Megan Davis Operationalizing Equity: Evidence-Based Grantmaking Strategies for Reducing Racial and Geographic Health Disparities
Jennifer Oldham, M.T.S.
ePortfolio
Dannielle Gibson Reducing community partner reporting burden: Developing a Redcap surveillance system to integrate reporting requirements for community-led HIV prevention activities funded by the Tennessee Department of Health
Elizabeth Rose, Ed.D., M.P.H., M.Ed.
ePortfolio
Olivia Lawson Leadership in Health Care: Education, Evaluation, and Quality Improvement Tools
Elizabeth Rose, Ed.D., M.P.H., M.Ed.
ePortfolio
Yufei Long Driving Health Care Innovation by Collaboration between Private and Public Sector Healthcare
Elizabeth Rose, Ed.D., M.P.H., M.Ed.
ePortfolio
Jacob Lorber Utilizing Program Evaluation to Advance Advocacy and Outreach in Diverse Settings
Elizabeth Rose, Ed.D., M.P.H., M.Ed.
ePortfolio
Justin McClain Forming Good Leaders in a World of Wicked Problems: An Evaluation Plan for an Undergraduate Leadership Class
Elizabeth Rose, Ed.D., M.P.H., M.Ed.
ePortfolio
Caroline Morkel Utilizing ClinicalTrials.gov Data to Enhance Data-Driven Decision-Making in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Uzma Atif, Ph.D., M.P.H.
ePortfolio
Rocio Posada-Castaneda Social Impact Consulting in a Global Context
Mario Avila, M.B.A.
ePortfolio
Rashad Taylor Tennessee Lead Poisoning Prevention Dashboard: A Geospatial Tool for Stakeholders
Elizabeth Rose, Ed.D., M.P.H., M.Ed.
ePortfolio
Student Topic and Mentor(s)
Graham Hancock, B.S.W. Centralizing and Strengthening LGBTQ+ Health Resources Through Coalition-Building
Elizabeth Rose, Ed.D., M.P.H., M.Ed.
ePortfolio
Anitha Ndekezi, M.B.B.S. Designing a Social Enterprise to Address Social Determinants of Health in Rwanda
Elizabeth Rose, Ed.D., M.P.H., M.Ed.
ePortfolio
Abigail Peterson, M.S.W. Working Toward Health Equity: Assessing Current Practice and Planning for the Future
Elizabeth Rose, Ed.D., M.P.H., M.Ed.
ePortfolio
Maria Sheridan The Business of Public Health
Elizabeth Rose, Ed.D., M.P.H., M.Ed.
ePortfolio
Student Topic and Mentor(s)
Raphael Abayateye Assessing How International Trade of Primary Products Shapes Health in Sub-Saharan Africa
Carolyn Heinrich, Ph.D.
ePortfolio
Savannah Collier Targeted Messaging in Firearm Injury Prevention Training for Pediatricians
Shari Barkin, M.D., M.S.H.S.
ePortfolio
Lauren Mitchell Health Communications: How to Communicate Complexity Simply
Stacie Dusetzina, Ph.D.
ePortfolio
Alyssa Rentuza The Importance of Evaluation in Public Health Partnerships
Elizabeth Williams, M.D., M.P.H.
ePortfolio
Vicky Waithe A Roadmap to Bundle Implementation: Operationalizing a Value-Based Care Program in a Dynamic Health System
David Stevenson, Ph.D.
ePortfolio
Caitlin Washburn Utilizing Community Health Workers During COVID-19: A Sustainable Vision for a Productive Future
Amy Richardson, M.P.H.
ePortfolio