ABOUT THE CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN MATERNAL & CHILD HEALTH LEADERS

Marisa is a first year MPH student in the International Health and Sustainable Development department, with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health. After getting her undergrad degree in Community Health she worked as a Community Health Educator at a hospital in Maryland where she helped lead community vaccine events, health fairs, workshops, and mobile health clinics. Wanting to get a better understanding of the overarching socio-ecological factors that impact health, particularly within a global framework, she decided to get her MPH here at Tulane.

She was drawn to the IHSD program because she feels aligned with the Department’s philosophy that everyone has the right to live a healthy life regardless of place and circumstance. She wants to learn best practices when it comes to sustainable health solutions in resource constrained settings. She is interested in the intersection between climate change and women’s health. She is currently working on research related to water insecurity, and the sexual and reproductive healthcare of vulnerable populations in the Gulf South.

Outside of school, Marisa enjoys taking dance classes and cooking with her roommates. She’s an avid reader and spends a lot of time at her local library. Marisa feels best when she’s out in nature, so she’s had fun exploring the many parks and green spaces in New Orleans.

Shamiso is originally from a small town right outside of Dallas called Little Elm, Texas. She is also a recent Tulane graduate, and is in her 1st full year in her MPH program. Her concentration is in Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences with a specialization in Maternal and Child Health. During undergrad, she was heavily involved in the Newcomb Institute Reproductive Rights Internship, an undergraduate research assistant for nolaHYPE, and a former REACH intern. As of right now, she is currently a graduate student research assistant alongside working with CEMCH.

Shamiso attended Tulane for her undergraduate studies and received a B.S. in Neuroscience, so she knew Tulane’s strong public health presence would be a great fit. Additionally, she really appreciated how much the university valued community service and engagement. She believes that to make a meaningful difference in our communities, we must not only listen to community members but also immerse ourselves in those same spaces.

In terms of Maternal and Child Health (MCH), there are only about 13 Centers of Excellence nationwide, and Tulane’s robust program is dedicated to building and refining the MCH workforce which is something that further solidified her interest! She is interested in research regarding menopause and endometriosis. More recently, she found an interest in obstetric violence and how/why birthing experiences differ across demographics, and looking into more effective and safer birthing interventions to address the issue of maternal mortality in developed countries like the United States.

Outside of school, she likes to do a little bit of everything creative, such as painting, sculpting, crocheting, and, more recently, writing. As a former student-athlete, working out is a part of her daily routine as well. Even though she’s lived in this city for going on 5 years, she still loves exploring new places either by herself or with her friends. Shamiso’s favorite thing to do in New Orleans is to go to the second lines, specifically Super Sunday right after Mardi Gras! Her favorite places to eat would probably have to be Tia Marias or Lil Dizzy’s.

Chloe is an MPH student in the Department of Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences where she focuses on health equity and community-based interventions across the lifespan. Before coming to Tulane, she was a community development program manager for the Arkansas Arts Council, where she led outreach efforts to connect rural and marginalized communities with arts and culture resources. She earned her BA in sociology and anthropology at Hendrix College, and then served a year with AmeriCorps in her hometown of Little Rock, AR. Through AmeriCorps, she managed a community garden in an elementary school to educate students about growing their own food, increase their access to fresh produce, and lead culturally responsive nutrition education programming.

She chose Tulane for its strong reputation in public health and its global network of faculty, alumni, and community partners. The university’s commitment to health equity and interdisciplinary collaboration aligns with her values and career goals. She’s always loved New Orleans, and Tulane was her top choice when I decided to pursue an MPH.

Within maternal and child health, Chloe is especially interested in early childhood development and the social determinants that contribute to adverse childhood experiences, such as food insecurity and poverty. She is passionate about exploring the intersection of child health with education systems, policy, and advocacy. After graduation, she hopes to work on community-based initiatives that promote equitable access to resources and support for families.

Outside of school, she enjoys exploring New Orleans and volunteering with local organizations. The city’s vibrant and diverse culture offers endless opportunities to learn, connect, and give back. Whether it’s attending a neighborhood event or supporting a local nonprofit, she loves being part of the energy that makes New Orleans so special.

One of her favorite weekend activities is visiting the Crescent City Farmers Market in City Park on Sundays. She loves stocking up on fresh produce, grabbing a pupusa and an iced coffee, and soaking in the atmosphere. It’s a great way to support local businesses and connect with the community.

Genesis Grinston is a first-year Master’s of Public Health student with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health. 

Grace Hoegler is a second-year Master of Public Health student at Tulane University, concentrating on reproductive health research, with a focus on reproductive justice and qualitative research. She currently works as a research assistant on projects related to self-managed abortion in restrictive contexts and contraceptive access for Medicaid recipients in Louisiana.

Madison Jones, BA, chose Tulane University because it was the first institution in the U.S. to establish a dedicated School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. She was drawn to New Orleans and this program as a foundation for understanding how to care for people as a whole, particularly in a city rich with history and culture. Being near the former Charity Hospital serves as a constant reminder of the growth needed in public health.

Madison’s career goals center around maternal and child health (MCH), with a strong desire to work with the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. Ultimately, her dream is to open MCH clinics in maternity care deserts across the United States, ensuring that all women have access to proper prenatal, postnatal, and family support.

Outside of her studies, Madison enjoys reading, cooking, baking, and shopping. She is also learning to appreciate the process of assembling furniture and creating her own safe space. She finds joy in running in the mornings, exploring new foods, and immersing herself in the rich culture and history that New Orleans has to offer.

Brina Salazar chose to pursue her MPH at Tulane’s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine because of her deep connection to both Tulane and New Orleans. In May 2024, she earned a BSPH and a BS from Tulane University and realized she wasn’t ready to leave. After four years in the city, she saw staying for her graduate studies as the perfect opportunity to continue exploring its rich culture while furthering her dedication to public health.

Her passion for maternal and child health (MCH) centers on maternal mortality. She has been actively involved with SHERO NOLA, a local nonprofit working to combat the Black maternal mortality crisis in New Orleans. With her MPH, Brina hopes to continue working with the NOLA community to make a meaningful impact on MCH outcomes.

Outside of school, Brina is a dancer, photographer, and proud cat mom. With over a decade of dance experience—including pointe, jazz, and tap—she now helps lead Tulane’s K-pop dance crew, MeeT U, where she and her crew learn and perform K-pop dance covers. She also runs her own photography business, specializing in headshots, graduation photos, and family portraits, finding joy in capturing special moments through her lens. Her cats, Cookie Dough and Jupiter, have been her steady companions throughout her studies.

Kennedy is a first-year MPH student with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health. She plans to graduate with her MPH in May of 2026 and attend medical school that upcoming fall. Kennedy is passionate about Black maternal and fetal health, Black maternal and fetal mortality, health equity, and health advocacy. She loves music, spending time with family and friends, and enjoying nature.

Nyla Wansley is a first year Masters student at the Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health concentrating on Maternal and Child Health. Her areas of interest are maternal and infant mortality and nutrition.

Rachael Tessema, has a BA in Biology from the University of Virginia, is a second-year MPH student at Tulane SPHTM concentrating in Maternal and Child Health. Rachael has always been passionate about health, though she initially explored different contexts before finding her path in public health. Tulane’s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine (SPHTM) stood out to her, particularly because of the unique public health landscape in New Orleans, which she saw as an ideal place to begin her learning.

Her interests lie at the intersection of public health, business, and technology. She believes public health touches every aspect of life and that integrating its principles into other fields can lead to innovative solutions that improve lives in ways yet to be explored.

Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, Rachel is passionate about movement. She enjoys weightlifting, running, and yoga, always eager to try new ways to stay active.

Jenna Write graduated with her Masters in Public Health in December 2024. Jenna pursued an MPH through the Tulane undergrad combined degree program to gain more experience in the field of public health. She plans to attend nursing school and eventually go on to become a pediatric nurse practitioner. She enjoys working out, going for walks, reading going for walking in Audubon and trying new restaurants. 

Annie Pasterz is a second year MPH student at Tulane University specializing in maternal and child health. She is a graduate research assistant in nutrition, and policy coordinator for the National Diaper Bank Network. With a background in clinical medicine and neurobiology, she is particularly interested in the intersection of mental health and maternal well-being. Other passions include basic needs access education, epidemiologic methods and the intersection of science and business.

Morgan Lindsey, BA, is a second-year MPH student concentrating in Maternal and Child Health. She plans to graduate in May 2025. She is also an elementary school teacher at a local French immersion school. Her interests include the intersection of Maternal and Child health with education, the prison industrial complex, and nutrition. She loves exploring the New Orleans restaurant scene and visiting the city’s beautiful green spaces.

Khadedra Harrison ia a second year MPH student with a concentration in maternal and child health at Tulane University. Her interests lie in Black maternal and infant mortality.

Kenneshia Cohen chose Tulane University for its Maternal and Child Health (MCH) program, one of the few MPH programs offering this specialized focus. She was also drawn to New Orleans after visiting a few years before applying and felt it was the right place to further her education.

Her public health interests center on pregnancy-associated homicide among Black women in the South, a critical issue she hopes to address through her research and future medical career. After completing her MPH, she plans to attend medical school to continue advocating for maternal health and safety.

Outside of academics, Kenneshia enjoys shopping and crafting. One of her favorite things about living in New Orleans is the vibrant food scene—she loves exploring the city’s diverse cuisines and discovering new culinary experiences.