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For students, this means that by the time they complete this 300-level class, they have gained real-world experience in how to respond to a public health crisis. They also leave the class as trained volunteers of the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)—a national network of medical professionals, public health workers, and community members ready to assist in emergency response efforts. Think back to the people who staffed COVID testing centers—those were MRC volunteers. Or think of the people who provide immunizations and recovery support after a flood—those are also MRC.

This type of experiential learning gives students a professional edge. This is excellent news for students who pursue careers in emergency response, disaster preparedness, local governments, and medicine.

Bobbi Alcock, Coordinator of the CNY Regional Medical Reserve Corps, explains:
“Many in public health have little experience with—or even knowledge of—PODs. Students in the Community Health course are gaining this experience before starting their careers and while it’s not an emergency. This puts them ahead of others when pursuing positions in health departments.”

Managing a disaster involves massive logistical planning and coordination among many players. Remembering that a POD mimics real-life scenarios, the IC program is structured the same way. The initiative begins with a campus-wide committee that includes the HSHP Dean’s Office, the Division of Marketing Communications, the Office of Campus Safety and Emergency Management, Conference and Event Services, Human Resources, Student Health Services, Information Technology and Analytics (IT), and the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).

Mary Bentley sees the benefits of the program as twofold:
“First and foremost, students begin to understand the role of public health, emergency management, and disaster preparedness. They realize the critical role preparedness plays—not just for survival during a disaster, but in overall community resilience.”

For example, there is a national inventory of materials and medicines. In the event of a disaster, the CDC distributes those supplies regionally to PODs, where the dispensing happens. Students study and practice this system, learning how it informs decisions around access and availability of medications.

Bentley continues:
“Second, students begin to understand social determinants of health through the lens of disasters. Underserved communities are the ones with the least resources for preparedness. They are the most impacted in terms of illness and death, and often face the greatest challenges in recovery—if they recover at all.”

Finally, she adds, “A huge portion of our campus gets immunized.” Alcock echoes this:
“The flu season typically begins during the fall semester. By making flu vaccinations available to students and staff, Ithaca College provides the opportunity to build immunity early. This helps prevent flu from circulating at the end of the semester, when everyone needs to feel their best.”

The FluPOD also partners with IC’s Mental Health Flock, a team of students, staff and faculty that work collectively to improve the mental wellness of our community. While the POD is running, the Flock is there offering the CCAPS Mental Health Screening - a screener developed specifically for college students and athletes by the Center for Collegiate Mental Health. Community members can also build their own self-care kits with tools and information about campus resources selected to support their mental wellness and are able to discuss their results are able to speak with someone 1:1 and to learn about additional support. This cross-community collaboration mimics what we students will encounter during emergencies.

Says Michelle Goode, director of the center for health promotion “this being a regular event helps to normalize and elevate conversations about mental health, and (hopefully) encourage people to access supportive resources and tools and helps to de-stigmatize conversations of mental health.”

Ithaca College is one of only a handful of schools that offer this experience to undergraduates. The model is so unique it won national recognition. In 2019, the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) recognized “Ithaca College Public Health Initiatives” as an innovative public health project addressing critical local needs. Out of more than 150 applications, NACCHO named the initiative one of the top 10 “Best of the Best” Model Practices.

As Bentley points out:
“Not only do they know what a POD is—which most public health undergraduates wouldn’t—they’ve actually run one.”