Our students engage deeply with communities throughout their training, applying classroom knowledge to real-world challenges and building the skills needed to become effective public health practitioners. Through the CEMCH Leaders Program, practicums, and community partnerships, our students work alongside organizations addressing maternal and child health inequities in New Orleans, across Louisiana, and beyond.
Community engagement is not just a requirement. It is a core value that shapes how our students understand and practice public health throughout their careers.
CEMCH Leaders Program: Community Service and Rotations
Through the CEMCH Leaders Program, an interdisciplinary, two-year training and scholarship program for students committed to the field of MCH, students enhance their classroom experience through mentorship, rotations and service with MCH-related organizations, professional and personal development activities, the opportunity to attend national public health conferences, and networking with their MCH peers across the country.
CEMCH Leaders engage in community service outreach with local organizations and participate in shadowing rotations in government, university, and community settings, providing hands-on experience in diverse MCH practice environments.
Practicum Placements in Maternal and Child Health
MCH students complete applied practice experiences in diverse settings that address the full spectrum of maternal and child health issues. These practicums provide students with hands-on experience in program planning, implementation, and evaluation while contributing meaningful work to agencies and organizations serving Louisiana families. From state-level policy work to community-based interventions, students apply their training to real-world challenges and build professional networks that support their career development.
Research Assistantships
Students work as research assistants on projects related to self-managed abortion in restrictive contexts and contraceptive access for Medicaid recipients in Louisiana. These research experiences allow students to contribute to critical studies examining reproductive health access and equity in the Gulf South.
Conference Participation
Maternal and Child Health (MCH) students attend the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, presenting research and networking with practitioners and researchers from across the country. These experiences help students develop as scholars and build professional connections in the MCH field.
The Impact of Community Engagement
Through these partnerships and experiences, Tulane MCH students:
- Apply theoretical knowledge to address real community health challenges
- Build relationships with community organizations and the populations they serve
- Develop practical skills in program implementation, health education, community assessment, and evaluation
- Contribute meaningfully to improving maternal and child health in the Gulf South and beyond
- Learn from communities about their strengths, priorities, and lived experiences
- Enhance epidemiologic capacity of local and state MCH agencies through research collaborations
