Faculty Duo Helps SPH Boost Emphasis on Maternal and Child Health

ALBANY, N.Y. (December 4, 2015) — The launch of a School of Public Health effort to create awareness and expertise in the field maternal and child health has gotten a high-flying start with a new federally funded program administered by two members of SPH’s Department of Health Policy, Management and Behavior.

Christine T. Bozlak

Assistant Professor Christine T. Bozlak and Clinical Associate Professor Rachel de Long will co-direct the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Public Health Catalyst Program. Funded by a five-year $350,000 Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant, it will create a new academic focus on fundamental MCH content, introducing students to careers in the field.

“The Maternal and Child Health Public Health Catalyst Program marks the beginning of an effort at the School of Public Health to help develop a diverse and well-qualified MCH workforce of tomorrow,” said Philip Nasca, SPH dean.

The five-year grant also addresses the goals of HRSA's “Healthy Communities, Healthy People” strategic plan to strengthen the public health workforce and improve community health and access to care by providing quality training for current and future public health professionals.

Bozlak and de Long, the latter also Title V Director at the New York State Department of Health, will navigate the program toward providing outreach, mentoring and recruitment for future students, particularly those from underrepresented groups. They believe that basic MCH training will encourage many to enter the field upon graduation. Faculty and staff development will also be a significant feature.

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