A new Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health Education, Science, and Practice is launching at Pitt Public Health—with a mission to train the next generation of public health leaders committed to improving outcomes for birthing people, children and families. One of its first initiatives is a new maternal and child health (MCH) training program, open to graduate students and postdoctoral scholars across the University of Pittsburgh.
The training program will launch in the fall 2025 term and is designed to offer flexible, high-impact training opportunities grounded in both research and community practice.
Despite decades of public health efforts, the United States continues to face serious disparities in maternal and child health outcomes—particularly among Black, Indigenous and other historically marginalized communities. Yet few formal training programs exist to build the necessary workforce.
“This program offers a structured way for students to explore maternal and child health, no matter their background or intended career path,” said Theresa Chapple, PhD, associate professor of health policy and management and director of the Center for Health Equity and the MCH Center of Excellence. “Whether you’re looking for a short-term introduction or a deep dive with applied experience, this program provides flexible, meaningful training grounded in equity and advocacy.”
Students can select from three levels of engagement—short-term (under 40 hours), medium-term (40+ hours), or long-term (300+ hours)—and complete both didactic and applied learning experiences. The program is designed to fit a range of academic schedules while offering high-impact preparation for research, policy or practice careers in MCH. Tuition support or stipends are provided for eligible students.
Graduate students and postdocs from across Pitt who are passionate about eliminating disparities in maternal and child health are encouraged to apply. Please contact Dr. Chapple at tchapple@pitt.edu for more information.
-Clare Collins