|  | | About the Tulane MCPHLT Program | Meet your MCH Student Advisory Board! Click here to download 2007 - 2008 SAB Members |
| Romeo Galang
MPH Student
Class of 2006
MCH/Epidemiology Track
Hometown: New Orleans, LA
Before I started on my MPH, I worked at the Drop-In Center here in New Orleans. The Drop-In Center provides programming and services for homeless youth in New Orleans. |  | I've always had an interest in community service work and the interface between health and the way we live our lives. I was attracted to the Tulane School of Public Health by the expertise of the faculty. I have enjoyed working with professors at Tulane. They are actively enganged in doing the work and are able to bring that experience to the classroom.
When I began planning for my Capstone, I spoke with my advisor and she had several suggestions to help me gain skills that would complement my strengths. I eventually chose to spend last summer working with the Virginia Division of Child and Adolescent Health through the MCH/GSIP program. They were very willing to let me have full involvement in the project. I conducted an assessment of the Virginia Congenital Abnormalities Reporting and Education System, an online registry that monitors birth-defects in Virginia and produces real-time educational materials for parents of registered children. I made recommendations to improve the reliability of the online registry and efficiency of reporting. I also evaluated the potential of linking the registry data with viral statistics. I was able to get a full picture of the project from focus groups and clinics to state level activities. We advocated for Virginia's participation in PRAMS. My Capstone gave me the opportunity to apply classroom experience. In class, we often learn what to do in the ideal situation, but I was able to practice my skills in the real world and see how the ideal really relates.
Currently, I'm working with Prof. Xu Xiong studying the effects of Hurricane Katrina and pregnancy outcomes. I participated in developing the interviewing and recruiting protocol.My advice to incoming students is to get involved in projects. You won't know where your passion will lead you unless you get out and apply what you are learning. After graduation this Spring, I will be attending medical school. I hope to be able to work from inside the medical profession to implement prevention programs. I would also like to teach in the future. |
| Jessica Abeita
MPH Student
Class of 2006
MCH/Women's Track
Hometown: Albuquerque, NM
I was attracted to Tulane because of the Maternal and Child Health concentration. It seemed like a well rounded program and I liked that it was housed in the Community Health Sciences Department. The description of the MCH program seemed like it matched what I wanted to get out of an MPH degree. |  | My Capstone was conducting a public health practice examining the health needs of incarcerated Native American women in New Mexico. Working with the Native American population is part of the reason I went to graduate school. Working in the prison had not been a place of interest for me but soon became one of the best parts of my project. I worked through Indian Health Service. It was a collaborative effort with the New Mexico Department of Corrections, IHS, and CDC. I developed the survey tool, pre-tested it, conducted all the interviews, entered and evaluated the data, and presented the data to interested parties, including the participants. The women I worked with were welcoming and open; quite a different reaction than I was expecting.
One of the best skills I learned was how to be a better public health writer. Writing is an important part of most public health careers and I feel I have honed my skills. Learning how to write policy statements, briefing documents, and research papers will help me in my future success.
My advice to future public health students would be to keep an open mind when thinking about public health. Changing public health requires much more than smoking cessation and nutritious eating. |
| Camille Edwards
MPH Student
Class of 2006
Global Maternal and Child Health
Hometown: Kingston, Jamaica and Philadelphia, PA I came to Tulane after ten years as a social worker within low income urban populations. My experience has been with women and children as a case manager, counselor and source of referral. |  | Emigrating to America as a preteen was a culturally broadening experience that contributed greatly to my world view. This outlook influenced my choice of Tulane because of its’ vast international community and proffered experiences. Tulane’s location in New Orleans was instrumental also because of the promise of the rich culture of New Orleans and its’ close ties with the Caribbean, particularly Haitian Creole culture with which I am fascinated. Getting away from the Northern cold was last but definitely not the least of my reasons for coming to Tulane.
Living in New Orleans is an education in itself. In addition to the poor public health statistics, the threat of hurricanes and the most recent harrowing experience with hurricane Katrina are fertile ground for public health research and practice.
I am currently working at the Tulane Xavier National Center of Excellence in Women's Health(TUXCOE). My capstone project is focus group research into the effects of stress on women after Hurricane Katrina. I am responsible for creating recruitment materials, the recruitment of participants, conducting focus groups sessions and individual interviews, and some analysis of resulting data.
Maternal & Child Health is my passion and this agency is premier in their work with this population. This agency is well placed to render effective community service and resource after Hurricane Katrina. It also seems the most excellent springboard for establishing linkages with other community organizations who are working with NOLA’s displaced population.
I am a volunteer with New Orleans Making It Happen. This community network is an amalgam of religious organizations, art centers, and social service agencies housed along Oretha Castle Haley Blvd in Mid-City. Their coordinated activities are designed to facilitate the re-entry of community residents after Katrina.
In addition to the intangibles, through my education at Tulane I have gained the skills of scientific research and writing, a good grasp of the foundation of biostatistics and epidemiology, innumerable resources for information, a clear understanding of public health laws, policies, and processes, and a vast network of contacts. My long term goal is to serve as a midwife and public health administrator in rural communities throughout the world.
My advice to future public health students is to explore the curriculum and design your course of study around your passion. There are many pathways for a career in public health, be open to the possibilities.
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