MCH Train-A-Bull program welcomes inaugural cohort of undergrad scholars
Twelve undergraduate students from various colleges across USF have been accepted into a Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Pipeline Training Program, known as MCH Train-A-Bull, at the USF College of Public Health’s Department of Community and Family Health (CFH).
The two-year program provides mentorship, training and guidance for underrepresented undergraduate students from economically, educationally disadvantaged, and diverse backgrounds.
Funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau within the Health Resources and Services Administration, the program aims to increase the diversity of the MCH workforce by supporting scholars who seek graduate training in MCH and health-related fields.
Awardees of the training program receive academic, financial and other assistance.
The program is pleased to welcome the following 2017-2018 MCH Train-A-Bull scholarship recipients: Eduardo Acosta-Clas, Kristina Bienasz, Vanesa Carreno, Katherine Garcia, Beatriz Godoy-Rivas, Katherine King, Markayla Leggett, Ercilia Moncayo, Yasmin Moya, Heather Nguyen, Laura Perkins, and Sarah Suhood.
2017-2018 MCH Train-A-Bull scholarship recipients and Dr. Cheryl Vamos. (Photo by Charlotte Noble)
The grant, led by principal investigator Dr. Cheryl Vamos, is one of only six such programs across the U.S.
The grant is also supported by co-investigators Drs. Anna Armstrong, Martha Coulter, Ellen Daley from CFH and Dr. Roneé Wilson from the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, program coordinator Charlotte Noble, program staff, and other MCH and health faculty and community partners.
“We are so fortunate to have this new undergraduate training award as an additional component in the MCH educational continuum that we offer at USF, which now includes undergraduate students, graduate students, post-doctoral scholars and health professionals in the workforce” said Vamos. “This further solidifies USF COPH as an important MCH training hub for the state of Florida. These efforts will contribute to our goal of cultivating a passionate, culturally competent workforce that has the knowledge and skills to address the persistent MCH health disparities both locally and globally.”
MCH Train-A-Bull Scholars at program orientation. (Photo by Charlotte Noble)
To learn more about applying to become an Undergraduate MCH Train-A-Bull scholar, please contact Charlotte Noble, program coordinator, at cnoble@health.usf.edu.
Story by Charlotte Noble, USF College of Public Health