The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) is excited to introduce one of two summer interns for the summer of 2022. Lia Pak from Northfield Minnesota is a student at Macalester College in St. Paul where she is majoring in Biology, Political Science with a concentration in Community and Global Health.
The internship is funded through the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and is administered through the Kennedy Krieger Institute based out of Baltimore and is called MCHC Rise -Up with the goal to increase diversity in public health leadership. There are three sites across the country, one in Baltimore, one in California and one in South Dakota through the University of South Dakota.
This year’s summer interns are able to work in-person reporting to the Sioux Falls office daily. Lia has been able to touch a variety of areas within SDAHO, including working on policy reports and one-page information sheets. “I have been working on a one-pager on 340B and Medicaid expansion which is a topical issue in South Dakota right now.”
When asked what her dream job is after she graduates in the spring of 2023. “That is a good question, I’m unsure just yet. I am looking at health policy and promotional work in healthcare or potentially working in government.”
Lia says she has already learned so much within SDAHO regarding public health from the policy and hospital administrative perspectives.
When not going to school or working, Lia enjoys cooking, hiking, kayaking, and spending time outdoors.
SDAHO is excited to have Lia Pak as the 2022 SDAHO Intern. To watch Lia Video, visit the SDAHO YouTube Channel Here.
