Problem:
Medical schools do not include environmental health in their core curriculum in Massachusetts.
Solution:
Region 1 PEHSU completed their 5th Annual Environmental Health Summer Scholar Program on July 24, 2026. This highly competitive program is dedicated to educating and inspiring the next generation of environmentally aware health professionals. This year’s attendees included two first year medical students and one first year occupational medicine resident. (picture attached) During their 4 weeks on our team, they attended the Pediatric Environmental Health Clinic and other Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) Clinics such as the Emergency Department, Urgent Care, and the Asthma Clinic. Additionally, the Occ-Med resident spent time at Cambridge Health Alliance in the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Clinic with Dr Rose Goldman. Dr Goldman also lead an environmental health field trip that included outdoor experiences in birding and the built environment. Other experiences included a visiting the Region 1 EPA and ATSDR office, a BCH Operating Room Sustainability Tour, BCH History Tour, and learning about sustainability efforts at BCH. The students worked on projects that enhance our work in childhood lead exposures and PFAS among other academic and public health activities, including a visit to the Massachusetts State House with Dr Marissa Hauptman.
Impact:
In a post-program survey, most students reported an increase in knowledge in all environmental health areas with the greatest increases in Childhood Lead Poisoning and Emerging Environmental Contaminants. All students reported that our EJCC Scholar Program exceeded their expectations “much more than expected”.