Gillings School of Global Public Health - Maternal & Child Health

Do you work in a U.S. maternity care facility?

We’re inviting maternity care staff to take a short, anonymous survey (5–10 minutes) about experiences implementing the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding—what’s working, what’s challenging, and what support would help.
✅ This survey is different from the CDC’s mPINC survey. mPINC focuses on hospitallevel practices; this survey is about your firsthand experience providing care.
✅ We want to hear from everyone—even if others from your hospital also see or complete it.
⏰ The survey is only open for a short time.
👉 Click here to participate: https://go.unc.edu/CGBISurvey2026

Thank you for all you do to support postpartum families.

Not a goodbye - just a see you later. 🤍

Cheers to our MCFH concentration MPH graduates! The communities you’ll serve are lucky to have you. Go change the world. 🎓✨

Yesterday marked the end of an era! Our last day of class for the semester. 🎓

Last week, we celebrated our MCFH MPH graduating cohort in the sweetest way possible with our “Sweet Send Off” celebration and lots of photos.

As we approach graduation, we are so incredibly proud of everything they’ve accomplished and cannot wait to watch them change the world. ✨

Shining the spotlight on Dr. Stephanie Chung! ✨

From joining the MCH department in 2020 with a broad passion for reproductive health, to successfully defending her dissertation, we are so proud of everything Stephanie has accomplished! 🎉

Dr. Chung’s journey at UNC led her from studying childbirth and the postpartum period to diving deep into contraceptive care quality and autonomy, a pivot sparked by a research project in Kenya during her second year. That experience ignited a commitment to understanding how women’s contraceptive preferences are measured and supported.

Her dissertation focused on reasons why women in Kenya were unable to access their preferred contraceptive methods at public facilities.

Alongside her work at UNC, Stephanie has also served as an Associate Scientist at FHI 360, bringing her expertise to an even broader stage.

Congratulations, Dr. Chung! Your work is making waves in maternal and child health. Swipe to view Stephanie’s Q&A response, including what comes next in her journey! 🌟

Dr. Alessandra Bazzano, Chair and Professor in the Department of Maternal and Child Health, attended the inaugural National Conference on Women’s Health, hosted by the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, DC. 🌟

The conference brought together researchers, clinicians, and advocates across women’s health. We were excited to have a seat at the table.💙

📸 Pictured: Rachel Rubin, Barry Zisholtz, and Marisa Clifton (urologists focusing on women’s urological health) | .sc Tess Ferm, Miss America’s Teen | Environmental Impacts on Women’s Health panel (L–R): Natalie Shaw, PhD, NIEHS; Kyle Walsh, PhD, Director of NIEHS; and UNC Gillings’ own Susan Sumner, PhD, Department of Nutrition.

The UNC Department of Maternal and Child Health visited Capitol Hill for AMCHP’s Hill Day in Washington, DC, meeting with North Carolina congressional offices to advocate for programs and policies that shape the health of mothers, children, and families. 🏛️

MCH alumna Laura Powis of AMCHP led the NC visits by Department Chair, Dr. Alessandra Bazzano, and nursing doctoral student Taleah Frazier to the offices of Rep Valerie Foushee and Senator Ted Budd. 💙

MCH advocacy doesn’t only happen in the classroom!

Advocacy

The UNC Department of MCH made its mark at the 2026 AMCHP Annual Conference! 🌟

AMCHP brings together the nation’s top maternal and child health leaders, practitioners, advocates, and scholars, and this year, our community was front and center.

🏆 Congratulations to alum Alexandra Simpson on winning an Emerging MCH Professional Award for Region VI — so well-deserved!

Our community brought their A-game for presentations including:

📌 Caroline Frisch (1st Year MHCH)
📌 Lauren Spiegel (PhD Student)
📌 MCH Workforce Development Center - Amy Mullenix, Rebecca Greenleaf, Jess Simon (HPM Department), Chantelle Dowsett

And a big thank you to Megan Barry, Cynthia Cassell, and all our alumni for representing, also to Chair Alessandra Bazzano for her leadership throughout the conference.

Here’s to continued collaboration, innovation, and impact! 💙