College strengthens partnership with University of Limerick through student exchange
Dr. Maimoona Khalid, an MPH student from the University of Limerick in Ireland, advanced her understanding of public health practice by participating in a range of medical services with the Tucson Fire Department, enabled through a partnership with the college.
The Global Health Institute in the Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona was pleased to continue its multi-year collaboration with the University of Limerick (UL) in Ireland this spring by hosting Dr. Maimoona Khalid, a Master of Science in Public Health (MPH) student at UL. This ongoing partnership reflects the strong and expanding ties between the two institutions, built on shared goals of advancing global health education, research, and practice.
Maimoona was awarded the Dr. Sheila Boland Scholarship from UL which supported her practicum experience at the University of Arizona. Under the mentorship of Dr. Patricia Haynes, Professor in the Department of Health Promotion Sciences in the College of Public Health, and in collaboration with the Tucson Fire Department, she explored themes of community resilience, public safety, and global health through both academic and field-based experiences.
During her time in Tucson, Maimoona immersed herself in public health practice, gaining hands-on experience in safety and wellness initiatives for first responders. Her practicum included shadowing firefighters, learning from dispatch and telecommunications teams, and contributing to community health collaborations. These opportunities enabled her to connect classroom learning with real-world application, and expanded her understanding of both the challenges and strengths within public health systems.
Reflecting on her experience, Maimoona described it as “eye-opening and transformative,” noting that her work with the Tucson Fire Department highlighted the importance of cultural competence, trauma-informed care, and community engagement.
“Working alongside first responders opened my eyes to the resilience of communities and the responsibility of public health professionals,” Maimoona shared.
Dr. Haynes, who guided Maimoona’s practicum, emphasized the value of the experience.
“Maimoona welcomed the chance to learn alongside the Tucson Fire Department, gaining firsthand insight into the role public safety plays in community resilience,” said Dr. Haynes, “ Her reflections underscore how care and coordinated emergency response strengthen the fabric of our community.”
The College of Public Health is grateful to Dr. Haynes for her dedicated mentorship and to the Tucson Fire Department for welcoming Maimoona into their community. Their collaboration and commitment to community-engaged practice were central to making this practicum both meaningful and transformative.
Building International Collaboration
This practicum represents a continuation of the University of Arizona’s partnership with the University of Limerick, a collaboration designed to expand intercultural learning, broaden student opportunities, and advance shared goals in public health education.
Aligned with the University of Arizona’s land-grant mission, these exchanges demonstrate the institution’s commitment to building community-engaged partnerships that create opportunity. By welcoming international students such as Maimoona, the College of Public Health helps prepare globally minded professionals who are equipped to advance health equity across borders.