As I wrap up my final year of graduate school, I’ve found myself reflecting on the experiences that shaped not only my academic journey, but also my growth as a public health leader. Being a member of the Leadership Training Program (LTP) has made my time in the Maternal and Child Health Program at GW significantly more meaningful.
The LTP challenged me to think bigger and learn how to lead in passionate yet strategic ways. Over the course of the year, I had the opportunity to engage in dynamic and thought-provoking activities, each one expanding my understanding of what it means to serve communities through public health leadership.
One of my favorite sessions was the mock Capitol Hill visit, where I worked with a team to advocate for increased federal investment in research on uterine fibroid tumors, a condition that disproportionately impacts Black women and is too often overlooked in national health conversations. During this process, my teammates and I had to come up with creative strategies that would help persuade our audience in the Senate to consider our bill. This experience reminded me of the power of policy advocacy, and how lived experiences and evidence can influence change.
I also authored an op-ed advocating for increased mental health funding and resources for Texas schools. As a former educator, I witnessed how mental health support was severely underfunded, and having the opportunity to write publicly about the intersection of mental health and education felt like an impactful way to bring attention to the urgent need for systems-level change.
Throughout the year, the program created space to explore emerging issues, including the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in public health. I really enjoyed hearing my peers’ perspectives on this issue, and engaging in relevant discourse around ethics, innovation, and equity in the use of AI. Having these conversations helped me think critically about effective ways to integrate AI into future public health work, whether through data analysis or healthcare delivery.
Beyond the content knowledge, what truly set this program apart were the leadership development workshops that helped me grow on a personal level. We dove deep into topics like nonprofit leadership and management, DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), burnout prevention, and team building. These sessions helped me better understand my own leadership style while providing me with practical tools I can carry into future workspaces.
A highlight of the year was our day-long retreat, where we created vision boards, and participated in yoga and mindful chocolate tasting sessions. This day felt like a time to relax with my cohort members, as we had time to reflect on why we chose the field of MCH in the first place.
This program didn’t just equip me with skills, it reminded me that leadership is as much about listening as it is about leading, and that advocacy and wellness should coexist in our professional lives.
I’m incredibly grateful to have had the chance to learn from the many session facilitators as well as my peers. I hope to carry the lessons I gained through this program into the next chapter of my public health journey, with a renewed commitment to lead with intention and integrity within the field of maternal and child health.