knew there was a disconnect between what public health students read in textbooks and what community health professionals experience in real time. So, she decided to do something about it.
Winston, an alumna, instructor and candidate in or with 91精品鈥檚 (COPH), organized dual guest panels in the spring semester that brought together nine maternal and child health professionals including doulas, lactation consultants, speech-language pathologists, pelvic floor therapists and mental well-being counselors to speak directly with her students.
鈥淚n public health, we talk a lot about and the challenges people face and what outcomes we want to improve, but we don鈥檛 always talk about who鈥檚 on the ground doing the work right now,鈥� Winston said. 鈥淚 wanted my students to hear from those professionals who are actively supporting people through the birth process and postpartum recovery.鈥�
Jennifer Winston, PhD candidate. (Photo courtesy of Winston)
Winston shared that the idea was inspired in part by her own birth experience and her role as a mother, which she often mentions in class.
鈥淭his gives students a way to connect with me as a person and an instructor, while also understanding that even though birth can be challenging, we have amazing people in our communities working to improve it,鈥� she said.
Panelists included several , such as Dr. Crystal Corona ) of Grounded Wellness Chiropractic, Teresa Jennings (BSHS) owner of Sage & Sunflower Lactation Care, Justine Brown () of Buddha Belly Doulas and Amanda DeWeese () who owns Sidekick Lactation and is an adjunct lecturer at Fayetteville State University.
Other panelists included Britt Herron, a certified doula and Evidence Based Birth instructor; Jaime Kaley Perez, founder of Thriving Joy Pediatric Therapy, LLC; Dr. Jaci York, founder of Flourish Physical Therapy; Shamella Joy, a therapist and founder of Embracing Joy Perinatal Wellness; and Abby Morris the owner of Sleep Child O Mine.
Each brought unique expertise and a shared commitment to patient-centered care. They represented varied roles across the spectrum of perinatal health and wellness, showing students how public health extends far beyond traditional clinic walls.
A recurring theme across both panels was the challenge of integrating community-based services into mainstream health care systems.
鈥淭he panelists talked about how services like pelvic floor therapy or doula support are incredibly beneficial, but often not covered by insurance,鈥� Winston said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e vital, but access is limited unless someone can afford to pay out of pocket.鈥�
Panelists gathered prior to the discussion. (Photo courtesy of Winston)
91精品 were given the opportunity to anonymously leave their feedback.
鈥淚 gained a new appreciation for holistic practices in maternal and child health,鈥� one student said. 鈥淚t was a wake-up call to hear how hospitals sometimes fall short in supporting families after birth.鈥�
Another added, 鈥淥ne of the most surprising takeaways was how all the panelists, despite working in different fields, were on the same page when it came to champion for better outcomes in maternal care. Their sense of shared purpose really stuck with me.鈥�
Panelist Teresa Jennings echoed this when she said, 鈥淲e need to continue to establish a circle of care that includes everyone. Every health professional has a place in the circle. It shouldn't be an 鈥榰s versus them.鈥� If we all work together for a common goal which is support, the system would be a lot better.鈥�
Winston said the students were shocked by how complex the birth process really is.
鈥淚 think for many of them, this was the first time they realized that maternal child health isn鈥檛 just about eating vegetables or exercising,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about systems, challenges, access and support.鈥�
The impact went beyond awareness. Some students expressed interest in becoming doulas or exploring careers in labor and delivery. One student who currently works as an EMT told Winston she was now considering becoming a labor and delivery nurse.
Winston said the panels also helped her students see how public health values are being practiced in real time by professionals outside of hospitals or government agencies.
鈥淭hese aren鈥檛 just roles, they鈥檙e missions,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd I think the students walked away thinking, 鈥業 want to be part of that.鈥欌��
She added that one of the most powerful takeaways for herself came from panelist Shamella Joy, a maternal mental well-being therapist. 鈥淪he reminded us that the conversation can鈥檛 just stop after the baby is born. Postpartum care matters, too,鈥� Winston said. 鈥淭hat hit home for me, because it was something I struggled with personally.鈥�
Panelists answered questions that guided the conversation. (Photo courtesy of Winston)
Hosting the panels wasn鈥檛 without logistical challenges of coordinating schedules, following the course calendar, and managing technology, but Winston said it was more than worth it. She made it a priority to include multiple guest speakers throughout the semester, saying it was crucial for students to hear firsthand perspectives from real public health professionals.
鈥淭his format moves beyond the sit-and-get model,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 can teach them definitions and data, but hearing lived experiences connects the dots in a way I can鈥檛 do alone.鈥�
Looking ahead, Winston hopes to continue organizing guest panels and expand similar opportunities across the COPH, especially for undergraduates still figuring out their path.
鈥淭hese are the students who are often the most unsure of what they want to do,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut hearing from someone who鈥檚 in the field, some of whom once sat in the same classroom, can give them the clarity and confidence they need.鈥�
Winston reflected on how the experience also strengthened community ties not only to the COPH, but with each other as well.
鈥淚t felt like a reunion,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey reminded me that even though public health can be overwhelming, there are people out there pushing forward, doing the work. And that gives me, and my students, hope.鈥�
Looking to the next generation of public health professionals making an impact in maternal and child health, panelist Shamella Joy said, 鈥淲e need your ideas, your enthusiasm and your intelligence. There is space for you and your innovation!鈥�