HRSA-Funded MCH Pipeline Training Program: Advancing the MCH Pipeline and Workforce Through Research Collaborations.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Medical Education
• Health Disparities Research

Background:

• Six Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-funded Maternal and Child Health Pipeline Training Programs (MCHPTP) have been established nationwide.
• These programs focus on recruiting, training, and mentoring undergraduate students in a comprehensive, MCH-focused approach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the outcomes of six MCHPTPs.
• To highlight the collaborative strategy of Baylor College of Medicine-Texas Southern University (BCM-TSU) in MCH research training and its alignment with HRSA's MCH bureau missions.

Main Methods:

• The BCM-TSU MCHPTP, unique in its primary research focus, developed an integrated research curriculum with a MCH Foundations Course.
• Trainees participated in weekly meetings within collaborative research groups, guided by multidisciplinary peer-mentors, clinical fellows, and MCH research faculty from the Texas Medical Center.

Main Results:

• Across all six MCHPTPs, up to 1890 trainees and interns were enrolled.
• BCM-TSU trainees (undergraduate students) achieved significant research output, including 13 peer-reviewed publications and numerous conference presentations by 78 students over three years.

Conclusions:

• The research productivity of students demonstrates the success of integrating MCH research mentoring into didactic training.
• Developing robust MCH mentorship programs strengthens research in priority areas, such as addressing MCH morbidity and mortality health disparities in the U.S.