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Trainees are the foundation of this network. A core feature of the MCHB is to develop leaders in the field who will create and promote critical and groundbreaking research and policy, transforming the health and lives of children and families. This network supports MCH trainees to be such leaders through statewide collaboration. Past trainee liaisons can be found here. Meet our dynamic trainee liaisons below: 

2018-2019 Trainee Liaisons

CA-LEND Trainee: Sairam Kumr

Sairam Kumar, M.D.

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California Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (CA-LEND) at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

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Education & Training:

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  • Medical School: Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, India 

  • Internship: Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 

  • Residency: Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY

 

 

Professional Goals:

Dr. Kumar is a current CA-LEND long-term trainee at the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. His research interests involve high-risk infant follow up, early childhood, autism, and neurodevelopmental disabilities. He is passionate about improving system-based practices and healthcare disparities in the community with regards to the treatment and management of developmental-behavioral conditions. 

 

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Cheralynn Corsack, MPH Candidate

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Centers of Excellence in MCH with MCH Academic Postdoctoral Enhancement at UC Berkeley

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I am currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Health in Maternal and Child Health at University of California, Berkeley. Previously, I completed a Bachelor of Science in Public Health at University of South Florida and then served as an AmeriCorps Service Member outside Atlanta, GA where I focused on adolescent health and sustainable food sources.

 

My areas of interests include access to lactation services and adolescent health specifically relating to nutrition, pregnant and parenting adolescents and father involvement. I hope to work closely with communities to develop and implement programs addressing and serving their needs through improving access to and efficacy of resources around lactation services and/or adolescent health. UC Berkeley’s MCH training program will provide me with the skills and knowledge necessary to address the previously mentioned issues and use evidence-based research along with community involvement to create innovative solutions to improve overall health outcomes of families.

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Hannah Perrin, M.D.

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Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Training Program at Stanford University

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Education:

  • Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience at Brown University in Providence, RI

  • Medical School:

  • Doctor of Medicine from the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, MI

  • Pediatrics Internship and Residency at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland, CA

 

Professional Goals:

Hannah has a strong interest in identifying and understanding disparities in access to health care services; learning about policy implications for health care access; and advocating for patients with disabilities, their families, and their communities. Her prior experiences include working with local NGOs in Guatemala to organize community health fairs in rural villages, helping coordinate health fairs for women from disadvantaged backgrounds, creating an educational curriculum for a support group for adolescents with HIV in the Dominican Republic, and providing sustainable health education workshops and medical services to children and adults in Quito, Ecuador. She also helped develop curricula related to health disparities during medical school and residency. The Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Fellowship at Stanford allows her to pursue her academic interests while also preparing her for a career as a leader in clinical practice, medical education and community advocacy.

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Kelly Schifsky, D.O.

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Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Training Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

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Born and raised in Des Moines, IA

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Education:

Undergraduate:

  • Trinity International University in Deerfield, IL

  • Major: Biology Pre-Medicine

Graduate:

  • MS: Bioethics from Trinity International University in Deerfield, IL

Medical School:

  • Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Des Moines, IA

Residency:

  • 3 year Pediatric Residency at Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines, IA

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Current: 

Developmental Behavioral Pediatric Fellowship at CHLA in Los Angeles, CA

 

Motivation for DBP:

I have a passion for serving and working alongside children and families with developmental disabilities. My goal is to see each of these children reach their full developmental potential and THRIVING.

 

Motivation for LEND:

This training will impact how I view and utilize interdisciplinary skills and teams in my approach and practice.

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Petrina Kaluzhny, M.D.

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Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Training Program at UC Davis

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Vaughn Darst​

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Leadership Education in Adolescent Health Training Project at Children's Hospital Los Angeles

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Vaughn Darst is a Master's candidate and dietetic intern at the University of Southern California (anticipated graduation May 2019). Building on ten years of public health experience working in the Cal State University system, Vaughn's research focuses on pediatric and adolescent nutrition and eating disorders among under-served populations including transgender and gender non-conforming youth, children on the autism spectrum, and children with special healthcare needs. Vaughn received their BA in Critical Theory and Cultural Studies, with a concentration in Transgender Studies, from Scripps College.

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Chelsea Garnett, M.D.​

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Leadership Education in Adolescent Health Training Project at UC San Francisco

 

Education:

  • Undergraduate: BA in Human Biology, Stanford University, 2010

  • Medical School: MD, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 2015

  • Residency: Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, 2015-2018

  • Fellowship: Adolesecent Medicine, UCSF, 2018-Present

 

I grew up in and completed my pediatrics training in Los Angeles and am currently in my first year of adolescent medicine fellowship and LEAH training program at UCSF. I have a particular interest in bolstering provision of reproductive and mental health care for teens and young adults. 

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Julie Miller, MPH, RD

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Maternal and Child Health Nutrition Training Program at UC Berkeley

 

Education:

  • B.A. Public Health, minor in Spanish, UC Berkeley, 2011

  • M.P.H. Public Health emphasis in Public Health Nutrition, 2014

  • Registered Dietitian, UCSF, 2015

  • Neonatal Nutrition Fellowship, Baylor College of Medicine, 2016

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I am currently a second year in the DrPH program at UC Berkeley. My public health nutrition journey began as an undergraduate student. I graduated with my B.A. in Public Health from UC Berkeley. After graduation, I moved to New York City to continue to pursue my interest in community nutrition and received my MPH in Public Health Nutrition from NYU. I returned to California and completed my training and credentialing as a registered dietitian at UCSF. My work experience as a pediatric dietitian at UCSF introduced me to the field of neonatal nutrition and ignited a passion within me for neonatal nutrition and health. My research interests include infant and early childhood nutrition, overcoming barriers to breastfeeding, and developing nutrition strategies focused on disease prevention and health promotion among infants and young children.

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Petrina Kaluzhny, M.D.

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Northern California Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) at the University of California Davis MIND Institute (Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disabilities)

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Miranda Westfall, RD, MPH

 

Partners in Excellence for Leadership in MCH Nutrition at UCLA

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Miranda is a second year PhD student at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. Her current research focuses on evaluating the impact of a teaching kitchen on health professional students' nutrition knowledge, cooking skills, and self-efficacy in providing nutrition counseling to patients. Originally from Northern California, Miranda received a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences at San Jose State University and a Master of Public Health at UCLA.  Before returning to pursue her doctorate, Miranda worked with the UCLA Fit for Health Program, a multidisciplinary effort of pediatricians, dietitians, and psychologists to reduce pediatric obesity through providing direct clinical care to patients and families as well as training the next generation of providers in evidenced-based, culturally competent and compassionate care for children with overweight and obesity. She has also worked with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to implement healthy purchasing standards in County-operated facilities. Miranda joined the Partners in Excellence for Leadership in MCH Nutrition Program to gain skills to effectively engage in advocacy efforts at the community, state and national level to promote policies and programs that support the health of the maternal and child population.

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Karen Meacham

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Partners in Excellence for Leadership in MCH Nutrition at UCLA

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Faye Holmes

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Pathways for Students into Health Professions at UCLA

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Soe Maw, M.D.

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UCSF Fresno Pediatrics-Child Psychiatry Collaborative Office Rounds (COR): A Longitudinal Curriculum for Pediatric Practitioners in the San Joaquin Valley

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Education:

2014-2017   UCSF Fresno Pediatric Residency (Fresno, CA)

2010-2014   University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (Miami, FL)

2005-2009   University of California Davis (Davis, CA)

 

Motivation: 

The San Joaquin Valley of Central California has an underserved population that continues to inspire me in my role as an advocate, educator, and physician. Collaborative Office Rounds during my pediatric residency highlighted the challenges my patients face and how healthcare is an interconnected web that requires understanding and partnership between pediatricians, children, families, and the community that nurtures them. Collaborative Office Rounds with public health experts and guests from various community organizations were motivating and integral to my desire to pursue an academic career path in community pediatrics and public health.

 

Professional Goals:

My goal is to pursue advanced training in community pediatrics, obtain a Masters in Public Health, use my knowledge and passion to improve child health and health care in the Central Valley of California, strengthen community partnerships, and learn the skills to become a leader in medical education.

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Currently Unfilled

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UCLA Center for Excellence in Child and Family Health (CECFH) and MCH Academic

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Anna Peare, MPH Candidate

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University of California - Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (UC-LEND) at UCLA/UC Riverside

Education:

  • BS, Community and Regional Development, Spanish minor from University of California, Davis

  • MPH, Community Health Sciences, specialization in Health Policy at UCLA Fielding School of Public Health (expected June 2020)

 

I am currently pursuing my Master's of Public Health in Community Health Sciences with a specialization in Health Policy at UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. I'm originally from the Bay Area and graduated from UC Davis in 2016 with a Bachelor's of Science in Community and Regional Development and a Spanish minor. After graduating from UC Davis, I worked for a community health clinic in Washington D.C. designing and implementing group based medical care for prenatal and pediatric patients, as well as for those with chronic illnesses. 

 

My area of interest is in maternal and child health care and access, with a focus on neurodiversity in public health. I aspire to work at the community and national level to address disparities in prenatal access and care and to improve child health policies to make health care affordable and accessible to all. As a UC-LEND Trainee and CAMCHLTN Trainee Liaison for California Maternal and Child Health Leadership Training Network (CAMCHLTN), I hope to continue exploring my academic and professional interests and gain further knowledge to create innovative solutions for the improvement of health for women, children, and neurodiverse individuals. 

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Hannah Fernald, MPH Candidate

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University of California - Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (UC-LEND) at UCLA/UC Riverside

Education:

  • Bachelor of Arts in Gender Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles

  • Master’s in Public Health from UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health

 

As an MPH candidate and in my work at First 5 LA, I strive to lessen the disparities in health equity in our communities. I’m particularly passionate about maternal and child health, specifically the access to early identification and intervention, which sets children up for their best life. As an LA native, I’m excited about the changes I’ve seen that have created positive outcomes for families in our community, and am proud to be an advocate for further policy and systems change.

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CHLA-Sairam-Kumar 2 (1).jpg
MCH Post Doc UCB Trainee: Cheralynn Corsack
DBP Stanford Trainee: Hannah Perrin
DBP CHLA Trainee: Kelly Schifsky
DBP UCD Trainee: Petrin Kaluzhny
LEAH CHLA Trainee: Vaughn Darst
LEAH UCSF Trainee: Chelsea Garnett
MCH Nutriton Trainee: Julie Miller
LEND UCD Trainee: Petrina Kaluzhny
Partners UCLA Trainee: Miranda Westfall
Partners UCLA Trainee: Karen Meacham
Pathways UCLA Trainee:
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COR UCSF Fresno Trainee: Soe Maw
CECFH @ UCLA Trainee:
UC-LEND UCLA Trainee: Anna Peare
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UC-LEND UCLA Trainee: Hannah Fernald
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