Maternal and child health nutrition training builds leadership skills

For more than 30 years, the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) has funded specialized professional training in nutrition with an emphasis on the development of leadership skills. A survey was conducted of individuals who received Maternal and Child Health nutrition training at the Center for Human Development and Disability (CHDD) at the University of Washington. Those surveyed were asked to reflect on the impact of the training on their career pathway and to report on their leadership activities. Of the 91 respondents, 83 (92%) indicated that the training supported a career pathway that emphasized maternal and child health or children with special healthcare needs. Eighty-five former trainees (93% of respondents) reported leadership activities at the local level, 61 (67%) reported leadership activities at the state level, and 46 (51%) reported leadership activities at the national level. The results of the survey indicate that specialized, intensive training in the field of nutrition develops and supports leadership skills.