I received a Spring 2026 Practice Fellowship at Children's National Hospital in the Developing Brain Institute (DBI). My time with DBI was educational and the relationships I have with my preceptor, Dr. Niforatos Andescavage, and with the Lead Perinatal Specialist, Naimah Saleem, will continue far beyond the completion of my Masters of Public Health.
During my time with DBI, I worked with data from the Mommy&Me Clinical Trial. I coded different mental health surveys, thematically analyzed over 400 participants' exit interviews, and wrote a thematic analysis coding protocol under Dr. Andescavage's and Ms. Saleem's supervision and support. The results found from the thematic analysis demonstrate the need for strong mental health support for Black parents during pregnancy and the first year postpartum.
Additional activities I participated in were observing newborn MRIs and child development tests, attending lab meetings, and discussing previous research projects with DBI staff. I am grateful for the opportunity to connect and collaborate with DBI, and for the inspiration I found to continue work in child development and maternal mental health.
Rynn Parrack Spring 2026 Fellowship Experience
Children's National Hospital
May 18, 2026
Rynn shares their incredible experience they had working with a community partner this spring!