In 2002, ATMCH launched the Mentorship Project. Since that time, ATMCH has continued to provide an opportunity for new or developing academic MCH programs located in the US and its territories to apply to become an ATMCH Mentee Program and to be matched, if accepted, to an experienced ATMCH Mentor who provides assistance in shaping and/or strengthening the matched Mentee Program. Each year, ATMCH allocates funds, if available, to reimburse the travel expenses for and provide a $1500 consultation fee to matched ATMCH Mentors. Since the available funds vary each year, the number of mentorships ATMCH can support varies. To maximize what is accomplished during mentorship, past Mentee Programs have supplemented ATMCH funds, though this is not required. 

Becoming a Mentor

ATMCH is always looking to identify individuals to serve as Mentors to new or developing academic MCH programs. The needs of these programs differ. If you are interested in serving as a Mentor, please email your interest and curriculum vitae (CV) to jmcdouga@uab.edu. ATMCH will develop a list of possible Mentors and work with Mentee Program applicants to match them, when possible, to a Mentor who best fits their needs. In exchange for the consultation fee and reimbursed travel expenses, Mentors are expected to review materials from the Mentee Program; engage in a site visit, if possible; and be available for some limited follow-up consultation. The exact nature of the mentorship is negotiated between ATMCH, the Mentor, and the Mentee Program. Mentors must be ATMCH members.

Becoming a Mentee Program

If you are interested in becoming a Mentee Program and being matched, if accepted and funds are available, to an experienced ATMCH Mentor who will provide assistance in shaping and/or strengthening your academic MCH program, please email jmcdouga@uab.edu. The ATMCH Executive Team reviews, under the advisement of the Advisory Board, all applications, selects Mentee Programs, and matches them with appropriate Mentors based on the Mentee Program’s expressed needs. The exact nature of the mentorship and all related budgetary issues are negotiated between ATMCH, the Mentor, and the Mentee Program. Applicants to the Mentee Program must be ATMCH members.

Funded Mentorship Project Examples

Mentee ProgramMentorProject
CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health PolicyTrude Bennett, University of North Carolina Chapel HillExploring all aspects of expanding a Maternal, Child, Reproductive & Sexual Health specialization into a degree program
University of North Texas Health Science CenterEugene Declercq, Boston University, School of Public HealthStrengthening the MPH program with a concentration in MCH
Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Center of Excellence in MCH Education, Science & PracticeJohn Richards, MCH NavigatorCreating an enhanced web presence to strengthen student recruitment
University of Albany, School of Public Health, MCH Catalyst ProgramArden Handler, University of Illinois, School of Public HealthDeveloping a full MCH track/degree, beginning with the creation of a MCH certificate program 
University of Kentucky, College of Public HealthEugene Declercq, Boston University, School of Pubic HealthCreating a concentration/track in MCH
University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public HealthGreg Alexander & Russell Kirby, University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Public HealthStrengthening MCH academic curriculum
University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, School of Public HealthEugene Declercq, Boston University, School of Pubic HealthDeveloping a new MCH program, beginning with the creation of a core MCH course 
St Louis University, School of Public HealthCarol Hogue, Emory UniversityStrategic planning to develop collaborative MCH training with Washington University
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Dr. Fay W. Boozman College of Public HealthLew Margolis, University of North Carolina Chapel HillFurther developing a new MCH track/program