Eight of our MPH students attended the 2019 CityMatCH Maternal and Child Health Leadership Conference, held September 23-25, in Providence, Rhode Island. What follows is a post from one of these attendees.
By Tracey Estriplet, BS Health Education
This year I had the absolute pleasure of attending my first City MatCH conference in Providence, Rhode Island. I had a wonderful time meeting and connecting with different leaders in MCH and learning more about what new things are happening in the field.
The opening ceremony was the most wonderous ceremony I have ever seen. The conference started with a blessing from the Narragansett Tribe. The chief performed his traditional blessing before the presentation started, which was titled “America’s Original Sin,” and that was a very appropriate title as he took us on a journey, through time and to the first sins of the “American settlers” on aboriginal lands. The presentation captured our hearts as he spoke about the disparities many tribes face and how we can move towards a better future with better health outcomes for the Original people of America.
After the opening keynote speaker and ceremonies, I attended my very first City MatCH breakout session with much excitement and willingness to learn more about the role of fathers in Maternal and Child Health. This is a particular interest of mine outside of MCH and I was very happy to have men in the room speaking about their experience and research. Later in the week I also attended another session about fatherhood and men’s mental health, examining the role that violence plays. I can say that these sessions were a great learning experience and that it really helped me bridge the role of fathers and their obstacles in the MCH world.
The second day was by far the best day in my personal growth as a future MCH leader. I sat in on the “Using a Human Rights and Trauma-Informed Lens to Improve Maternal Care Provision for Black Women” session and it was simply amazing. The speakers were captivating and engaging, focusing on how sexual trauma pervades the Black community and how that trauma is once again brought to the forefront during the childbearing years. The trauma may resurface as the resistance to breastfeeding the newborn, the inability to refer to their vagina as such, and lack of intimacy after birth with both the baby and partner. This topic is underdiscussed in households in the Black community and being able to have the presenters stand up there and voice problems so eloquently, resonated with me, deeply. They suggest using a human approach to solve this problem, especially for medical professionals. Steps such as: acknowledging the trauma, using sensitive practices, and to support survivors in the work that we do.
Charles Johnson was the speaker that really set the fire under my MCH pot. Mr. Johnson lost his wife and mother of his children after the birth of their second son, due to the neglect and carelessness of medical staff at one of the best hospitals in America. His story put things into greater perspective for me – it is action that is needed. There needs to be a shift in medical provider attitudes towards black women and those who are advocating on their behalf. It is very important that they are given a voice and are being listened to. Although his story was deeply saddening, it was just what we needed to make sure that everyone in the room was on the same page and fighting for action to reduce disparities and bias that inhibit health for every woman and child, especially those of color.
Overall, the conference was impactful and piqued my interests to delve more into the role of fathers in MCH and to look at MCH through a more trauma informed lens. I am looking forward to City MatCH 2020!
Tracey Estriplet, B.S. Health Education, is a second-year MPH student, concentrating in Maternal and Child Health. She plans to graduate in May 2020. Her interests include, reproductive justice, childhood trauma, and infant mental health. She also loves cooking, tanning on the beach, yoga, and spending time with her family.
