This Spring I was privileged to accept a fellowship with the Maryland Department of Health. I worked within the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) with Alena Troxel, Cassidy Spence, Nina Martin, and Jessica Dayal. I had two projects and deliverables, one working with the MCH fatality review programs and the other with the Maternal Health Improvement Program (MHIP).
For the first project, I conducted a literature review of how to increase collaboration among the Maternal Mortality Review (MMR), Child Fatality Review (CFR) and Fetal/Infant Mortality Review (FIMR). The CDC's National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention (NCFRP) recently published a report on how to do this and model states around the country who are implementing new measures. I was surprised to find that there was not much collaboration currently between Maryland's fatality review programs, but I was encouraged to see that they were actively trying to make their programs more equitable and action-oriented. I learned a lot about fatality review programs in general and how state departments vary across jurisdictions. I then wrote a guidance report that included short, intermediate, and long term recommendations that could implemented in the MCHB. I then presented these findings to the teams that included MCHB leadership and the fatality program directors.
For the second project, I was given RedCap access to the a survey that was recently sent to the MHIP Task Force, which include organizations throughout Maryland that provide services to birthing people. This survey was to landscape what type of services, and where these services are located. I created an analysis plan and table shells of which variables we wanted to analyze. I didn't know what an analysis plan and was scared to admit that, but my supervisors were very nice and patient! I then did a preliminary analysis of the small survey respondents as a "pilot" before it gets disseminated to people around the state.
My advice to incoming practice fellows is to not be afraid to be honest of what you do and don't know, and ask for help when you need it! Also set clear expectations of the amount of work you need to be doing to get your 120 hours. I started a little late but still felt it was very doable to do in a couple months, along with my schoolwork and job. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to learn what it's like to work at a state health department and for my amazing mentors at MDH.