Working 10 years as a certified medical assistant after high school gave Kristin Donadeo a first-hand look at how lifestyle affects health. The experience helped her decide to go to college for a bachelor's degree in public health, and she plans to pursue a master's degree next.

Donadeo, who expects to graduate from the University of Arkansas in December, was one of six students chosen statewide to spend two months in Little Rock this summer completing an internship with the Arkansas Department of Health and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. The interns will divide their time between the central office of the health department and the College of Public Health at UAMS. They will receive a stipend and reimbursement for lodging.

"As a CMA, I worked with patients and saw how diet, lack of exercise, lack of public policy and lack of vaccine care affected them," Donadeo said. "I'm interested in epidemiology and looking at determinants of distribution of disease. I enjoy statistics and think it is interesting that you can look at these numbers to see how diseases spread. I want to use my skills to help people live fulfilling and healthy lives."

The experience is designed to give students an introduction to various academic disciplines of public health with exposure to applied and basic science, clinical practice and health policy development. They will attended weekly conferences and meetings in epidemiology, public health grand rounds and the health department's Science Advisory Committee.