1

MPH PRACTICUM COMMITMENT FORM

Baylor University MPH Program in Community Health Science

PRACTICUM STUDENT
Student Name: Sophia Raquel Garza Semester/year of practicum (e.g., Sum2023):
Summer I/II 2023
Phone number (include area code): Date to begin practicum (e.g., 6-1-11):
(254) 405-3350 6/5/2023
Email: Sophia_Garza1@baylor.edu Date to end practicum (e.g., 8-14-11):
8/5/2023
Mailing Address (street/box, city, state, zip):
1909 S 4th st. Waco, Texas 76706

PRACTICUM ORGANIZATION/PROGRAM
Organization: Baylor in Brazil Summer Study Abroad Website URL:
Program https://www.baylor.edu/publichealth/
Address (street address, city, state, zip): Primary health-related service/mission: To engage
One Bear Place #97343 students and faculty in global community-based
Waco, Texas 76798-7343 partnerships that can impact the health of
Mailing Address: communities.

PRACTICUM SUPERVISOR
Name: Dr. Eva Doyle Degrees/Certifications: PhD in health education, master
certified health education specialist (MCHES)
Title: Chair & Graduate Program Director, Primary responsibilities/ Expertise: Co-directs program; leads
Department of Public Health development/implementation of/supervises students in
community-based health promotion projects; teaches global
public health course.
Program/Department/Division: Years of work experience: Began teaching/mentoring
BIB Program university students in 1991.
Phone: 254-710-4023 Years of experience in public health/community health: Over
30 years
Fax: Email: Eva_Doyle@baylor.edu
Mailing Address (if different from organization):

UNIVERSITY FACULTY SUPERVISOR*

Name: Eva Doyle Phone: 254-710-4023

Organization (may be different from host organization): Email: Eva_Doyle@baylor.edu

Chair & Graduate Program Director, Department of
Public Health
Mailing Address: Fax:
One Bear Place #97343
Waco, Texas 76798
* Faculty member who will supervise the student’s practicum work as instructor of record for PUBH 5V94

BAYLOR PRACTICUM COORDINATOR

Name: Dr. Beth Lanning Phone: (254) 710-4027
Title: Director, MPH in Community Health Science Email: Beth_Lanning@baylor.edu
Address: Department of Public Health, One Bear Place #97343, Waco, TX, 76798-7343
 2

Organization
The Baylor in Brazil Summer Study Abroad program is sponsored through the Baylor
Department of Public Health and The Baylor Department of Biology. The main community of
interest of this program are underserved communities and the faith-based organizations that serve
them in the Brazilian state of Espirito Santo. The primary mission of Baylor in Brazil Summer
Study Abroad program is to engage students in experiential learning through community-based
partnerships that promote health and community capacity building in Brazilian communities.
Programs and services offered through this program include health promotion programs in
Brazilian communities and schools and training, partnership, and support for local churches in
developing relevant community health programs. The practicum supervisor’s name is Dr. Eva
Doyle. She serves as the director of the Baylor in Brazil Summer Study Abroad Program as well
as the Chair of the Baylor Public Health Department. Dr. Doyle has a PhD in Health Education
and has over 30 years of experience working in public health.

Rationale
This practicum fits within my career goals as a public health professional by increasing
my experiences with other cultures and populations outside of what I am familiar with.
Additionally, this practicum will provide me with real world examples and experiences with the
intersection of faith and public health.
Competency Matrix

PRACTICUM COMPETENCY MATRIX

Competency-based Products for MPH Practicum e-Folio: Sophia Raquel Garza
Specific products in e-Folio Competency: MPH Foundational (MPH) or Community Health Science
that demonstrate
application or practice
(CHSC) Competency
Complete a literature MPH: Assess population needs, assets, and capacities that affect
review reviewing communities’ health.
violence perpetuated MPH: Discuss the means by which structural bias, social inequities and
against marginalized racism undermine health and create challenges to achieving health
communities in Brazil equity at organizational, community and societal levels
MPH: Compare the organization, structure and function of health care,
public health and regulatory systems across national and international
settings.
CHSC: Describe factors that influence the process by which people
learn
CHSC: Describe factors that enhance or impede the process of health
promotion.
Implement at least MPH: Apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design or
two sexual health implementation of public health policies or programs.
presentations in MPH: Communicate audience-appropriate public health content, both in
Brazilian faith-based writing and through oral presentation.
communities MPH: Design a population-based project or intervention
MPH: Select communication strategies for different audiences.
MPH: Describe the importance of cultural competency in
communicating public health content.
CHSC: Integrate implementation methods into a health education or
 3

promotion plan.

Explanation of Competency Matrix

Throughout this practicum experience, I will be involved in completing specific products
such as a literature review, sexual health presentations, and aiding in coordination of community
health fairs. Because violence perpetuated against marginalized people is of growing concern in
Brazil, I plan to complete a literature review assessing and examining the current literature
related to violence in Brazil. This literature review is relevant to my practicum experience in that
it will provide the needed background to create relevant teaching materials for targeted
community members. I plan to present sexual health presentations to members of the target
community. The topics presented range from sexual anatomy and general sexual wellbeing to
domestic and gender-based violence. Finally, I plan to assist in the development and
coordination of various community health fairs in the Brazilian faith-based communities that we
will be servicing. These health fairs are essential to my practicum experience by allowing me the
opportunity to develop effective communication skills with colleagues and community members
as well as developing strategies to most successfully provide health education/promotion
knowledge. The competencies identified are relevant to the products of my practicum by
providing guidance on the purpose of the products and accountability. Additionally, these
competencies, such as cultural competency and communication, will provide a basis for my
development as a public health professional.
These competencies and products are relevant and important for my future career plans
because they will prepare me for my time after Baylor. By the end of this practicum experience, I
believe that these products and competencies will have provided opportunities for real-world
public health experience. The literature review, specifically, is especially relevant for my plans
of attaining a doctoral degree; having the ability to translate research into the real-world is
invaluable.
Professional Strengths and Expected Growth
My current strengths include leadership and teaching. I believe that my ability to teach
effectively will be an integral part of my practicum experience. Additionally, my leadership
abilities, namely my mediation skills, will be an asset through my time in Brazil.
I hope to improve my anxiety over not being in control all the time. I believe that this practicum
experience will provide an opportunity for me to relinquish control in a safe and caring
environment.