Chicago Public Health Innovators (ChiPHI)

UIC, CDPH, and HCZ logos on top of skyline + UIC campus and neighborhoods

A Public Health Pathway Program for Chicago 11th and 12th Graders

Public health is defined as the science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities. It encompasses a wide range of activities aimed at preventing disease and injury, promoting health, and providing the maximum benefit for the largest number of people. Public health skillsets are important now more than ever!

Are you a rising junior or senior, and interested in doing good for the public and creating change within society? Do you like to share your ideas with others? Participate in the Chicago Public Health Innovators (ChiPHI) pilot program, in which the goal is to increase interest and curiosity in public health among diverse 11th/12th across Chicago in order to pursue public health degree, career, certification, training, and other professional pathways, and ultimately strengthen the future public health pipeline and workforce capacity. Students will learn about the foundations and values of public health, gain leadership experience, practice research skills, and engage in professional networking opportunities through guest speakers, hands-on and group-based activities, specialized workshops, mentorship, and field trips. Participants will have the exciting opportunity to shape the future of public health by providing valuable input that will directly influence programming and inspire the next generation of public health leaders.

Applications closed on May 18th, 2025 at 11:59pm CST.

Program Background

The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) School of Public Health, Chicago Department of Public Health, and Healthy Chicago Zones (HCZ) are piloting ChiPHI this summer 2025 in partnership with One Summer Chicago.

The Healthy Chicago Zones/regions are led by the following six community-based organizations:

Program Details

  • 6-week summer program from June 23 - July 31, 2025

  • 10am - 3pm Primarily Monday to Wednesday

  • UIC campus, field trips, and field experience in your neighborhoods

  • Compensation available based on program attendance and participation

Benefits

  • Compensation

    Earn $16.60/hour for up to 120 total hours of participation. That means up to $1,992 in total wages.

  • Impact

    Make a direct impact in your community/ies by completing an applied project by the end of the program.

  • Leadership

    Expand your leadership experience through informative and interactive workshops.

  • Public Health and Research Skills

    Learn more about public health and develop critical thinking and research skills.

  • Networking

    Meet public health professionals, experts, and leaders in the field and develop lasting relationships amongst your cohort.

  • Transportation, Food

    CTA passes and lunch provided.

  • Merchandise

    Receive a One Summer Chicago t-shirt during the program, and upon completion, a ‘swag bag’ full of other promotional items.

Program Elements

  • Public health content Community organizing, environmental justice, occupational health, data, media literacy, health communications, and more

  • Interactive activities Create food grow kits, explore the Chicago Health Atlas, play educational board games

  • Leadership development Resume development, professional writing, conflict resolution, self-care, career roadmap, college applications

  • Reflection Dialogue about current events, popular media, and reflect on our own experiences in relation

  • Field experience Gain mentorship from leaders in Healthy Chicago Zones (HCZ) and develop an applied project

  • Field trips Interactive and educational tours to expand learning experiences outside of the classroom

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why should I participate in the Chicago Public Health Innovators (ChiPHI)?
There’s so many benefits to participating! If you’re someone who…

  • likes solving problems and wants to see positive change for many people, you would like learning about and practicing public health.
  • has ideas about how to improve things and share your opinions, then you would like helping to develop the program for future Innovators.
  • likes building relationships with people, then you will get to meet professionals working in government, community organizations, and universities as well as peers your age with similar interests across Chicago.
  • wants to go to college or pursue a professional career, you will gain valuable educational enrichment and professional development to boost your applications and set you apart with valuable experience.

What characteristics would make me a good fit for the Chicago Public Health Innovators (ChiPHI)? What are the requirements to apply?
ChiPHI candidates should:

  1. Be rising 11th or 12th graders (in the 2025-2026 academic year)
  2. Be city of Chicago residents
  3. Want to work toward positive change in their own communities. Innovators do not need to have prior public health knowledge or experience, but should generally be curious, passionate about helping others, and excited to join a network of change-makers!
  4. Be committed to the program in attendance and mission
  5. Have permission to participate from a parent or guardian if under the age of 18
  6. Complete the One Summer Chicago online application
  7. Complete the Chi PHI online application

We value health equity and want to especially encourage students from under-resourced and disinvested communities to apply.

How and when will I know if I’ve been selected to participate in ChiPHI?

All applicants will hear back with a decision by the start of the second week of June at the latest – via email.

Where will programming take place? What’s the best way to get there?
We’ll primary meet at the UIC Library of the Health Sciences (LHS), 1750 W Polk St, Chicago, IL 60612, with some offsite locations (TBD). If driving, paid parking is available at Lot E1, 860 S Paulina, (0.1 mi); Paulina Street Parking Structure/garage, 915 S Paulina (0.2 mi); or on the street. Closest public transportation to UIC LHS includes:

  • Polk Pink Line Station (200 ft)
  • #7 Harrison bus (200 ft)
  • #157 Streeterville/Taylor bus (200 ft)
  • #9 Ashland bus (0.2 mi)
  • #50 Damen bus (0.3 mi)
  • #12 Roosevelt bus (0.4 mi)
  • Illinois Medical District Blue Line Station (0.6 mi)

How accessible is the UIC Library of the Health Sciences?
The building is accessible via stairs or ramp, and has a handicap accessible door button. Elevators, vending machines, water bottle fillers, gender neutral bathrooms, lactation rooms, a family study room, computers, and lounge/communal areas are available.

What is One Summer Chicago?
One Summer Chicago is a City of Chicago initiative that provides youth with employment and enrichment opportunities during the summer months.

How will I know if I’ve been selected to participate in ChiPHI?
You will be contacted directly by email to fill a position, by the end of May.

For all other questions, please see One Summer Chicago’s list of FAQs or email Chi PHI Project Coordinator at eee2@uic.edu.

Contact Us

Questions about the application, the ChiPHI program, or anything else? Please contact Project Coordinator, Emily Etzkorn, at eee2@uic.edu.