Maternal & Child Health Scholar Profiles

Ellen Abad Santos (she/her/hers)

MPH, Community & Behavioral Health Promotion

I’m interested in MCH because there is an existing knowledge gap surrounding the health interventions that are specific to women and children. This gap directly impacts the quality-of-care women and children receive, and how they access and engage with the healthcare system. I believe completing my MPH coursework will deepen my understanding of what barriers women and children are facing in healthcare, and what interventions/programs currently exist to address those issues.

Aamina A. (she/her/hers)

MPH, Public Health Policy

I’m interested in MCH because there is an existing knowledge gap surrounding the health interventions that are specific to women and children. This gap directly impacts the quality-of-care women and children receive, and how they access and engage with the healthcare system. I believe completing my MPH coursework will deepen my understanding of what barriers women and children are facing in healthcare, and what interventions/programs currently exist to address those issues.

Noelle S. (she/her/hers)

MPH, Community & Behavioral Health Promotion

I’m interested in MCH because there is an existing knowledge gap surrounding the health interventions that are specific to women and children. This gap directly impacts the quality-of-care women and children receive, and how they access and engage with the healthcare system. I believe completing my MPH coursework will deepen my understanding of what barriers women and children are facing in healthcare, and what interventions/programs currently exist to address those issues.

Jenzy Nkiinzi Walugembe (she/her/hers)

Maternal and Child Health Graduate Certificate

I chose the MCH Graduate Certificate to deepen my understanding of public health challenges impacting mothers, infants, and children. I have always had a passion for child health and my academic goals lie at the intersection of epidemiology and child health. The core competencies of this certificate will help me build a strong foundation in health disparities, social determinants of health, and data-driven approaches to improving health outcomes. 

My long-term goal is to earn a Master’s in Epidemiology and work in disease research. I’m passionate about using data to uncover health patterns and strengthen research that informs equitable care. I believe pursuing this certificate will expand my perspective and equip me with the tools to bridge gaps in evidence-based care and contribute to programs that reduce health inequities across populations. 

Oluwaseyi Esther Ambrose (she/her)

PhD, Communication Student

As a doctoral communication student specializing in family and health communication, the well-being of mothers and children has long been a passion and my focal point of research. I intend to engage in research that helps understand the role of communication in solving some of the problems surrounding maternal and child health. This passion ultimately spurred my decision to obtain a graduate certificate in the MCH program at UWM to equip me and deepen my knowledge and understanding of maternal and child health principles, policies, and factors responsible for mothers’ and children’s well-being.

Jack P.

MPH, Community & Behavioral Health Promotion

Maternal and Child Health is important to me because birthing persons and children are the future of our society, yet they are not invested in as such. In public health, we have to opportunity to address health inequities facing this population to truly make a difference in present and future generations.

Angela C. (she/her/hers)

MPH, Community & Behavioral Health Promotion

I chose to pursue the MCH certificate because I wanted to learn the tools that will allow me to work with women and children to better their overall health. With this certificate, I will be able to work more with disproportionate groups and recognize their social determinants of health. I am so excited to work with these groups and allow them to feel heard and recognized for their health

Catherine R. (she/her/hers)

MPH, Community & Behavioral Health Promotion

I chose to purse the MCH graduate certificate to help improve health and well-being of children and families. Milwaukee has such a diverse population, and I want to make sure every child and family has the resources they need to be healthy!

Krissy A. (she/her/hers)

PhD, Community & Behavioral Health Promotion

Throughout my twenty-year public health career, I have been deeply committed to advancing the health of maternal and child health populations. I chose to pursue UW-Milwaukee’s Certificate in Maternal and Child Health (MCH) alongside my PhD in Public Health to learn new information, skills, experiences, and ways of thinking that will deepen my practice and the impact of my work.

Claire P. (she/her/hers)

MPH, Community & Behavioral Health Promotion

In my undergraduate career, I studied psychology and biology with emphasis on child stress and coping. This, with my experience working and volunteering with children and a passion for women’s rights led me to the certificate program which was a wonderful addition to the Community and Behavioral Health Promotion track. The certificate combined my biological perspective with a social justice lens that I use daily.

Faith O. (she/her/hers)

PhD, Community & Behavioral Health Promotion

I have long been interested in female reproductive health and have always loved spending time with babies and young children. I also have a particular passion for health equity, so this certificate seemed like the perfect way to blend all of those interests while pursuing my doctorate studies

Isabella W. (she/her/hers)

MPH, Community & Behavioral Health Promotion

I chose to pursue the MCH graduate certificate because ever since I was younger, I’ve known that I wanted a future career working with children. When starting my MPH, I knew that the MCH certificate would challenge me as a public health professional but would ultimately help me reach my career goals

Mary W. (she/her/hers)

MPH, Community & Behavioral Health Promotion

Racial disparities and inequities in maternal mortality drove me to public health, and ultimately Zilber. The graduate certificate became available at the perfect time – as I was hoping to supplement my course experience in Public Health Policy & Administration with as many MCH courses as I could manage. I learned a great deal in this certificate program, which has helped me launch a career in MCH post-Zilber.

Teresa O. (she/her/hers)

PhD, Community & Behavioral Health Promotion

I chose to pursue the MCH graduate certificate because as a public health practitioner, public health student, and most importantly, as an auntie, I am deeply committed to doing my part to ensure that every child has the opportunity to live safe, healthy, and happy lives from the start. The MCH certificate has helped me strengthen the skills necessary to work alongside communities to address historic, systemic, and institutional injustices that prevent many children from living safe and healthy lives.

Zoe H. (she/her/hers)

MPH, Community & Behavioral Health Promotion

I chose to purse the MCH graduate certificate because I knew it would be a great way to expand my knowledge, build leadership and advocacy skills and learn how to bring a health equity lens to my work. These transferable skills have helped me tremendously as a Health Promotions Coordinator.

Yanires S. (she/her/hers)

MPH, Community & Behavioral Health Promotion

I chose to pursue the MCH graduate certificate to advance my knowledge and skills to serve this population more effectively. I have a professional history of working with underrepresented Milwaukee youth within the capacities of reproductive, mental, and LGBTQIA+ health and strive to empower, educate, and encourage them to grow autonomy over their health, minds, and bodies. I am confident that earning this graduate certificate will be an asset to my educational and professional background and future career endeavors.