School of Public Health
UofM SPH Hosts Inaugural PH-CARES Changemakers Initiative Showcase
Tuesday, 31 March 2026
17 participants attended the in-person showcase, where students presented the outcomes of their projects and reflected on lessons learned throughout the implementation process. The event featured a series of student lightning presentations, allowing participants to share their project goals, implementation strategies, outcomes and insights gained while working with community partners.
Projects addressed a wide range of public health topics including community health education, digital health tools, podcasts, cardiovascular screening initiatives, HIV peer testing programs, mental health resources and community wellness campaigns. Many students partnered with local organizations to implement their projects and engage directly with communities.
The Changemakers initiative emphasizes hands-on learning and interdisciplinary collaboration. Students begin with an idea and are guided through an innovation pipeline that supports idea development, project design and real-world implementation. Through mentorship and implementation support, students learn how to move concepts from early ideas into actionable programs that can benefit communities.
Participants gain practical experience in project planning, budgeting, grant management, community engagement and implementation science, while also learning how to navigate challenges that arise during real-world projects. The program encourages students to collaborate with community partners, build relationships and develop solutions that are responsive to community needs.
During the showcase, faculty and program leaders highlighted how the initiative helps students translate innovative ideas into real-world solutions while building leadership and collaboration skills essential for public health practice. Students also reflected on the challenges and successes of implementing projects in community settings and emphasized the importance of partnerships in driving sustainable public health impact.
The Changemakers initiative is part of the School of Public Health’s broader public health innovation ecosystem, which connects programs such as the IDEAS Hackathon, IDEAS Clubs and other research and strategic initiatives to create a pipeline supporting students from idea generation to implementation and community impact.
Through these programs, the School of Public Health continues to create opportunities for students to develop innovative, community-centered solutions while preparing the next generation of public health leaders.
The Office of Communications at The University of Memphis School of Public Health