1998 - Present
In late 1998, the untimely death of then MCH Section Health Betty Bennett, RN, PhD, coupled with faculty relocation marked a period of instability for the MCH section. A new strategic concept was developed in response to this challenge. The MCH section re-established itself as a section without walls. By involving professionals from other CHS department sections, Tulane University School of Public Health departments, and Tulane School of Medicine allied faculty, the MCH section quickly tapped into large pools of active faculty trained in MCH issues. In addition, ties were strengthened with the Louisiana Office of Public Health (OPH) and the Louisiana State University School of Nursing, both of which are within walking distance of the MCH section. With this effort, the number of adjunct faculty in the MCH section has increased five-fold in the last 5-years. Furthermore, cross-departmental collaboration on research and service projects, doctoral committees and courses has grown remarkably. With the involvement of faculty from other departments, the arrival of leaders with MCH experiences and orientation, and the addition of full-time faculty, the section has not only stabilized, but has thrived with growth in teaching, research, partnerships and community service. 1966 - 1998 In 1966, the Maternal and Child Health and Population Studies program was established as a separate Division in the Tulane University School of Medicine. Robert H Lennox, a Canadian pediatrician, was the Chairman and Director of the Maternal and Child Health Division, while Joseph D Beasley was the Director of the Center for Population and Family Studies. The Center was an element of the division and worked closely with faculty in a variety of disciplines. It was involved with research in population dynamics, family health and design and implementation of family planning and maternal and child health programs. During the 1970-71 school year, the Division name was changed to Family Health and Population Dynamics with Dr. Beasley as Chairman. The following school year, the Department of Applied Health Sciences with Dr. Beasley as Chairman. The following school year, the Department of Applied Health Sciences was organized in the Tulane University School of Public Health, into which the Maternal and Child Health transferred as an administrative section. The Department kept this name until the 1997-98 school year, when it was changed to the Department of Community Health Sciences (CHS). The International Health Department was originally part of the MCH program until it seperated from the MCH program in 1980. However, it was not until November 2, 1992, that International Health was officially made a department. In a way, the recently created dual major in Global MCH between the Department of Community Health Sciences and the Department of International Health closes this historical circle. | Drs. Boris and Magnus with a graduating student 
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