Abstract
Purpose
Professionals in the field of maternal and child health (MCH) epidemiology are publicly recognized by the Coalition for Excellence in MCH Epidemiology representing 16 national MCH agencies and organizations.
Description
During the CityMatCH Leadership and MCH Epidemiology Conference, the national awards are presented to public health professionals for improving the health of women, children, and families. The awards have evolved over the last two decades with focus on awardees that represent more types of MCH public health professionals.
Assessment
Since 2000, the Coalition has presented 111 national awards in the areas of advancing knowledge, effective practice, outstanding leadership, excellence in teaching and mentoring, early career professional achievement, and lifetime achievement. Effective practice awards were most often presented at 45 awards, followed by early career professional achievement with 20. The awardees varied by place of employment with 37 employed at academic institutions, 33 in federal government positions, 32 in state or county government, seven in non-profit and two in clinical organizations. Awards were almost equally distributed by gender with 49 presented to women and 48 to men. Assessment of career advancement among previous awardees and acknowledging workforce challenges are gaps identified within the national awards process.
Conclusion
Recognition of deserving MCH professionals sets the standard for those entering the field of MCH epidemiology and offers opportunity to recognize those who have built capacity and improved the health of women, children, and families.
Significance
Recognition of extraordinary contributions among high performers in the field of MCH epidemiology offers key insights to sustained exemplary performance from these leaders.
AbstractSection What this Study addsThe awards offer an opportunity to highlight the significant contributions of the national-level awardees to a larger peer audience offered by the Maternal and Child Health Journal and feature the recognition among diverse types of public health professionals.
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Data Availability
Policies are in the public domain.
Code Availability
Not applicable.
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Okoroh, E.M., Kroelinger, C.D. Recognizing Excellence in Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Epidemiology: The National MCH Epidemiology Awards. Matern Child Health J 28, 383–390 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-024-03901-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-024-03901-x