Mission

1
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
Mission Improving the health status of MCH
populations by 1) training leaders in public
health nutrition (PHN) through a competency-based
education program at the masters and doctoral
level, with a focus on leadership development
2) providing advanced professional development
for the current PHN and MCH workforce through the
provision of continuing education and technical
assistance in the area of MCH nutrition and 3)
serving as a national resource on public health
and MCH nutrition issues for health professionals
and university faculty.
Philosophy and Guiding Principles Family-centeredn
ess, Cultural and linguistic competence,
Evidence-based science, Multi- and
transdisciplinary training, Ecological view of
health, Promotion of developmental potential and
resilience among MCH populations, Infusion of
cultural values and practical experience into
research.
Scientific Research Capabilities The Division
of Epidemiology at the U of MN houses the
programs in MCH, community health education,
epidemiology, clinical research and public health
nutrition, thus providing a rich
multidisciplinary and collaborative environment
for research. The Division brings in more than
30 million per year in grant funding.
Academic Programs ? MPH in Public Health
Nutrition and/or Nutritional Epidemiology with a
MCH nutrition focus ? PhD in Nutrition, with an
emphasis in Public Health and minor in
Epidemiology ? PhD in Epidemiology with a minor
in Nutrition

• Relationships with Non-Traditional Communities
• College health service peer education training
• Center for Spirituality and Healing technical
  assistance

• Communications
• ? Local, state, national and international media
  interviews (newspapers, news services,
  television, radio, public relations offices)
• Collaboration with MCH Healthy Generations

Distance Learning ? National Maternal Nutrition
Intensive Course ? Web-based learning modules on
MCH nutrition topics ? Center for Public Health
Education and Outreach Summer Institute ?
Certificate in Public Health via distance
education ? E-books (Nutrition and the Pregnant
Adolescent A Practical Reference Guide and
Guidelines for Adolescent Nutrition Services) ?
Healthy Generations newsletter and teleconferences
Relationships Association of Graduate Programs in
Public Health Nutrition American Dietetic
Association and its Public Health Community
Nutrition, Pediatric, and Womens and
Reproductive Health Practice Groups American
Pubic Health Association and its Food and
Nutrition Section Society for Nutrition
Education and Behavior International Society for
Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
American Medical Association and Alliance AAP
Bright Futures National Association for
Pediatric Nurse Practitioners USDA Food and
Nutrition Programs Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention Indian Health Service, Aberdeen
Area Office

• Internships and Training Programs
• Dietetic Internship for Graduate Students (DIGS)
• Fairview-University Medical Center Dietetic
  Internship Program
• U of MN medical school courses, training and
  residency programs
• Certificate in Disability Studies

• Public Health Networks
• Local, county and state health departments -
  research design, data analysis, technical
  assistance, student research assistance, and
  continuing education
• Tribal organizations - research design, data
  analysis, continuing education
• National public health nutrition and community
  dietetics associations - receive leadership from
  grant faculty and trainees
• Local, county and state WIC programs - program
  design and evaluation, technical assistance,
  continuing education and training
• International public health nutrition programs -
  technical assistance, training, continuing
  education

• Other MCH-Funded Program Initiatives
• ? University of MN LEAH, Adolescent Nursing,
  Nursing with focus on Children with Special
  Health Care Needs, and MCH training programs
• ? University of Minnesota Center for Public
  Health Education and Outreach
• ? Advisory Board Member of MCH training program
  at University of Illinois Chicago
• Bright Futures
• Other MCH Nutrition Training Programs

• Clinical Programs
• ? Field experiences and and research projects at
  local community clinics, HMOs, MCOs, and medical
  centers
• STAR clinic associated with LEAH program
• Field faculty for university-based medical center
  internships