Investing in the Next Generation of Maternal and Child Health Leaders: The APHA Maternal and Child Health Section Student Fellows Program

Kathryn Mishkin; Udara Perera; Abisola Olaniyan; Leslie Carson

doi:10.1007/s10995-022-03415-4

Investing in the Next Generation of Maternal and Child Health Leaders: The APHA Maternal and Child Health Section Student Fellows Program

Matern Child Health J. 2022 May 14. doi: 10.1007/s10995-022-03415-4. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Kathryn Mishkin¹, Udara Perera^{2

3}, Abisola Olaniyan⁴, Leslie Carson⁵

Affiliations

¹ University at Albany School of Public Health, Rensselaer, United States. kemishkin@hotmail.com.
² Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, Philadelphia, United States.
³ Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States.
⁴ University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, United States.
⁵ Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health, Washington, United States.

PMID: 35567702
DOI: 10.1007/s10995-022-03415-4

Abstract

Purpose: Practical experience in maternal and child health (MCH) settings is critical for professional development and learning. In 2002, the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Section of the American Public Health Association (APHA) formalized its inclusion of students in section activities through the establishment of the Student Fellows Program. The Program provides graduate-level students opportunities to learn about MCH and APHA, build professional networks, and develop leadership skills.

Description: Since its inception, 18 cohorts of Fellows have benefited. This paper presents findings describing the Program from both written records about Fellow projects and activities recorded in past MCH Section communications as well as an online survey that was distributed to former and current Fellows to assess their perceptions and the benefits of the Student Fellows Program.

Assessment: Eighteen cohorts of Fellows have engaged with Section committees and working groups in diverse ways, including MCH-related research, policy, advocacy, and education. An online survey distributed to 151 participants was answered by 79 to document their perceptions of the Student Fellows Program. Of them, 56 (71%) indicated that the Program was important for their career development, 44 (55%) reported being current members of the APHA MCH Section, and 21 (27%) reported serving in a leadership position in the Section. The Fellows highlighted that networking, mentorship and leadership development were key benefits of the Student Fellows Program.

Conclusion: After several years of involving students in its programs, the APHA MCH Section established the Student Fellows Program in 2002. The Fellows Program has been important for developing the next generation of MCH leaders. The findings suggest that this Program supports long-term interest and commitment to the field of MCH and contributed to the formation of leadership skills and behaviors of Fellows.

Keywords: APHA; Graduate; Leadership; MCH; Student.