CHICAGO - The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), through its Healthy Chicago Zones (HCZ) initiative, is proud to announce a new collaboration with the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) School of Public Health, the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) and its One Summer Chicago youth employment program (OSC), Ladies of Virtue, and the Center for Companies That Care, to launch ChiPHI: Chicago Public Health Innovators - a dynamic summer academy designed to introduce young people to the exciting world of public health. 

Running from June 23 to August 1, 2025, the free, six-week summer academy will take place at UIC’s campus and is open to high school juniors and seniors ages 16 to 18. The ChiPHI program aims to spark youth interest in public health careers, degrees, certifications, and training while helping participants build leadership and research skills essential for success.

“The future of public health depends on the next generation, and this program empowers 11th and 12th graders to learn how to advance health equity while fostering stronger, healthier communities,” said CDPH Commissioner Dr. Olusimbo ‘Simbo’ Ige, MD, MS, MPH. “Through interactive learning, participants will develop the skills and knowledge needed to become agents of change in their communities and beyond.”

"At UIC, we are always looking to partner on initiatives that introduce creative learning to today’s youth. It’s an incredible opportunity to help high school students discover how science, policy and compassion intersect to build the world of public health," said Dr. Wayne H. Giles, MD, MS, dean of UIC’s School of Public Health. "Inspiring the next generation of public health leaders to build healthier communities starts through enriching programs like ChiPHI."

Guided by HCZ Regional Leaders (RLs)—including the Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation, Northwest Center, Phalanx Family Services, Sinai Community Institute, Southwest Organizing Project, and Swedish Hospital—up to 24 students from across Chicago enrolled in the ChiPHI program will work on real public health challenges, develop innovative solutions to create meaningful change, and build foundational research skills.

In addition to on-campus learning, the program will feature hands- on experiences including field trips, community health projects, guest lectures, specialized workshops, and site visits to public health organizations. One of these experiences will be a visit to the National Public Housing Museum , where students will explore safe and affordable housing as a human right through a combination of a self-guided tour, a scavenger hunt, and an educator-led tour of historic apartments.

Furthermore, each participant will be granted access to campus services, events and facilities, helping them feel fully immersed in the university environment. Students will also receive compensation based on their attendance and engagement, earning $16.60 per hour, up to 120 hours of participation–adding up to as much as $1,992 in total wages. No prior experience is required, just curiosity, creativity, and a desire to make a difference in their communities. 

"The ChiPHI program is an excellent example of the impactful work opportunities youth in the city of Chicago are able to receive through the City's One Summer Chicago youth employment program," said Maura McCauley, acting commissioner of the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS), which oversees One Summer Chicago. "These positions offer an exciting springboard — to learning, to future employment opportunities, and potentially even to finding one's passion or career calling. We can't wait to see everything the ChiPHI pilot participants will achieve."

As the program concludes, students will have the opportunity to present their final projects at a Symposium on July 31. This event will serve as the culminating celebration of the Summer Academy and will be attended by students’ families, friends, community partners, program staff, and city leaders.

To learn more about the ChiPHI Program, visit: go.uic.edu/chiphi

For all media inquiries, please contact Francesca Sacco, Associate Director of University Communications at UIC, at fsacco@uic.edu

###