WASHINGTON (Feb. 12, 2024) — The George Washington University Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health (MCH) has launched a new Leadership Training Program (LTP), to equip Master of Public Health (MPH) students with essential Maternal and Child Health (MCH) leadership skills. Through a highly competitive and rigorous process, 16 students were selected to participate in the inaugural LTP, with 12 MCH, 2 Epidemiology, and 2 Health Policy students comprising the total.
The Leadership Training Program places a spotlight on critical competencies, including effective communication; astute critical thinking; a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility; negotiation and conflict resolution; team building; team management; and strategies for preventing burnout.
“We’re thrilled that our Center of Excellence grant, from the Health Services and Resources Administration’s (HRSA) Maternal and Child Health Bureau, makes it possible for us to offer this extracurricular, multi-disciplinary training to 16 outstanding masters level students,” said Amita Vyas, PhD, MHS, Director of the GW Center of Excellence in MCH and the Milken Institute School of Public Health’s MCH Program. “Through a blend of educational seminars, hands-on workshops, and an engaging retreat, the Leadership Training Program is designed to provide these students with comprehensive public health training while honing their skills in alignment with selected competencies chosen from HRSA’s MCH Leadership Competencies.”
Within small group settings, students will receive specialized public health training, fostering a unique environment for interaction with prominent leaders in the MCH arena. Furthermore, each participant will receive a generous stipend to support their academic journey.
“We extend our congratulations to the 16 exceptional students accepted into the 2023-2024 cohort,” said Dr. Vyas.
Sierra Acker
Maternal and Child Health
Akhilesh Anil Jakhete
Epidemiology
Rachael Bailey
Maternal and Child Health
Clare Beymer
Maternal and Child Health
Carolyn Brown-Kaiser
Maternal and Child Health
Hervinah Celestin
Maternal and Child Health
Catalina Desouza
Maternal and Child Health
Sydney Durrah
Maternal and Child Health
Jen Farnsworth
Maternal and Child Health
Katie Ghougasian
Health Policy
Rylea Luckfield
Health Policy
Trisha Maragathavel
Epidemiology
Alanna McGill
Maternal and Child Health
Cassie Navalta
Maternal and Child Health
Larkin O'Gorman
Maternal and Child Health
Cate Pribyl
Maternal and Child Health
The GW Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health is one of only 13 such Centers in the United States. We are building the future by educating the next generation of local, national, and global public health professionals who will work to ensure that women are healthy before, during, and after pregnancy, and address the physical and mental health needs of women, children, and families across their lifespan. For more information, visit our website or send a message to [email protected].