Media Contacts:
Jalisia Manning, Fahrenheit Creative Group, LLC, jalisia@fcgworks.com, (601) 371-8003
Tennille Collins, Mississippi Public Health Institute, tcollins@msphi.org, (601) 398-4406
African American Women from the Mississippi Gulf Coast and Mississippi Delta Participating in MSPHI’s Community Research Fellows Training Program
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Public Health Institute (MSPHI), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to engage in partnerships and activities that improve Mississippi’s health, recently launched the Community Research Fellows Training (CRFT) program, an initiative focused on promoting and advancing the inclusion of underserved populations, including racial and ethnic minorities, in the public health research process. The fellowship training program is part of a multi-year effort to improve the health of African-American mothers, babies, and families.
“Research and community engagement are two critical elements of effective public health efforts,” said Tennille Collins, project manager at MSPHI. “This fellowship program is an opportunity for participants to gain valuable knowledge and skills and for us to get more clear and precise insights on the impact of our initiatives.”
A total of 17 African American women are participating in the CRFT program, including Arreal Bishop (Biloxi); Caretta Brown (Ocean Springs); Deanna Campbell (Biloxi); Alisha Coleman (Ocean Springs); Terra Dickey (Biloxi); Janine Harges (D’Iberville); Tenisha Hasan (D’Iberville); Tyesha Hartley (D’Iberville); Aleshia Jones (Gulfport); Almedia Johnson (Greenville); Tia Magee (Ocean Springs); Anndrea McGill (Pascagoula); Kathy Stafford (Ocean Springs); and Shayla Taylor (Biloxi).
“We are excited to learn with and from this group and look forward to supporting their longer-term efforts to improve public health in their communities,” said Collins. During the 12-week program, participants will engage and interact with community leaders, public health professionals, and researchers to discuss strategies and tactics to improve health in their communities. At the completion of the program, participants will be encouraged to join a local community-based coalition to build on this learning experience.
For more information on the CRFT program, contact Tennille Collins at tcollins@msphi.org or (601) 398-4406. For more information on MSPHI, visit www.msphi.org.
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About the Mississippi Public Health Institute
MSPHI is a nonprofit entity established in 2011 to protect and improve the health and well-being of Mississippians, serving as a partner and convener to promote health, improve outcomes and encourage innovations in health systems. We cultivate partnerships aimed at program innovation, health resources, education, applied research, and policy development.