The goal for the First Responder Health Disparity Awareness Program (FRHDA) is to expand upon the Health Disparities and Equity Service series by examining the role of first responders, the challenges they face due to their high-stress environments, and how recent news events have negatively impacted the perception of these professions in many communities. This program is developed in collaboration with our local first responder community in Athens. Each participant is expected to actively identify a community need, critically analyze the issue, conduct research, present their findings, and facilitate a discussion with participating first responders. Additionally, the program aims to educate pre-health students on the critical collaboration that occurs between first responders and medical professionals, helping them understand the interdisciplinary teamwork necessary to deliver effective, equitable care—especially in high-pressure or underserved environments.
This integrative service-learning program will increase student awareness and assist them in developing best practices when researching topics of interest related to health disparities and inclusion within first responder organizations. Students from all pre-professional areas are welcome to participate.
Service Program Requirements
- Attend orientation session
- Completion of the Clifton Strength Finder Assessment and 200-word essay on results.
- Completion of two certificate modules (Am I Conducting Human Subjects Research?) as well as (Responsible Conduct of Research at UGA) from the PEP Portal.
- Conducting research on topic of choice.
- Creating PowerPoint outlining results with 3 required feedback sessions with facilitator.
- Presentation to Athens Clarke County Police or Athens Clarke County Fire or GA EMS. You will be presenting to only one First Responder organization.
- Participation in a reflective dialogue session answering the following prompts:
- What do you think was the most meaningful part of the program?
- What do you think was the most meaningful part of the program?
- What is something you learned that surprised you or resonated with you?
- Discuss the role of educating yourself on various issues and the role of self-reflection when faced with your own adversity or peers.
After successful completion of this program, students will earn Experiential Learning credit and receive a certificate from the Pre-Professional Advising Office.
Please note that you need to double check with your college that they have approved this activity for Experiential Learning Credit on engage.uga.edu. If you do not see this listed, speak with your academic advisor to confirm whether or not this program will count for EL.
The goal for the First Responder Health Disparity Awareness Program (FRHDA) is to expand upon the Health Disparities and Equity Service series by examining the first responder role, the challenges they face due to their high stress environment and how recent events covered in the news have negatively impacted the perception of first responder professions in many communities. This program is in collaboration with our first responder community here in Athens. Each participant is to actively identify a community need critically analyze the issue, conduct research, present their findings and facilitate a discussion with participating first responders.
This integrative service-learning program will increase student awareness and assist them in developing best practices when researching topics of interest related to health disparities and inclusion within first responder organizations. Students from all pre-professional areas are welcome to participate.
Please note that you need to double check with your college that they have approved this activity for Experiential Learning Credit on engage.uga.edu. If you do not see this listed, speak with your academic advisor to confirm whether or not this program will count for EL.
Please note, this is not an official UGA certificate that will appear on your transcript.
Through the combination of peer-reviewed research and community engagement we hope students will not only build, but also actively demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the societal norms and how we as humans interact to deter and become agents of change in our respective fields. Together, we hope to encourage others to do their part in dismantling systems of oppression.
Orientation registration for the First Responder Health Disparity Awareness Program (FRHDA) will be on Monday, August 18, 2025 at 5pm. Once you have attended the orientation, a Google form to sign up for the program will be sent to the group to confirm participation until completion of program. At this point, it will be first come, first served. There will be no waitlist. Once the program reaches capacity registration will be closed.
