Recently I had the pleasure of attending the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP)’s annual conference in the vibrant city of New Orleans, Louisiana. This event brought together a diverse group of over 1,300 Maternal and Child Health professionals, experts and advocates from around the country- all united in their dedication to improving the health and well-being of pregnant people, children and adolescents.
From the moment I stepped into the conference venue, I could feel the energy and enthusiasm in the air. The event featured a wide range of sessions, panel discussions and workshops that covered a myriad of subjects related to maternal and child health. From the latest research breakthroughs to innovative programs and interventions, every aspect was thoroughly explored. The theme for this year’s conference was “Cultivating Diverse Leaders in Maternal and Child Health” and was reflected not only in the diversity of the conference’s attendees, but also in the conference’s many meetings.
There were a number of notable meetings that I was able to attend. In “Building Bridges: Advocacy and Allyship to Address Maternal Health Inequity”, we discussed how maternal mortality and morbidity screenings can be a way to honor the lives of birthing people who have passed and experienced harm during birth/labor. In “This is Restoration! Culturally Resonant Professional Development in Perinatal Health”, we learned about Mamatoto Village- an organization that builds career pathways for Black women in maternal health in Washington D.C. Finally, in “Building the Narrative Power of the Perinatal Workforce through Data Collection”, led by the Chicago-based organization HealthConnect One, we discussed decolonizing data collection + utilization in public health and ways to protect communities from predatory research practices. Each one of these conversations was eye-opening and transformative. They deepened my understanding of complexities surrounding maternal health research and interventions and reinvigorated my commitment to working towards maternal health equity.
Additionally, I had the privilege of presenting my capstone research findings for the first time at AMCHP. It was an exhilarating experience sharing our findingson differences in maternal health disparities between U.S. and foreign-born Black with a diverse audience of public health professionals. This opportunity to showcase this work not only allowed me to receive valuable feedback and insights but also enabled me to contribute to the collective knowledge and conversation surrounding maternal and child health. Presenting my capstone research findings at AMCHP’s conference validated the hard work and dedication I had poured into my research. It was incredibly rewarding to witness the engagement and interest from attendees, sparking meaningful conversations and potential collaborations.
Overall, my experience at AMCHP’s annual conference was truly invaluable. At an important time in my professional career, transitioning from graduate school to full-time professional work, I was introduced not only to a host of like-minded individuals to connect with, but also to new possibilities in the world of maternal health. I am excited to be continuing with the hosting organization, AMCHP , in the summer in their Graduate Student Epidemiology Program to further cultivate my MCH skillset. During this program, I will be working on a data analysis project examining access to family planning resources in the Northern Mariana Islands. I am excited to embark on this next chapter with AMCHP and apply the knowledge gained from this event to my work this summer.
Thank you to the MCAH program at UC Berkeley and the University of California Global Health Institute for their ongoing support and encouragement in attending this impactful event!