The Maternal and Child Health Careers/Research Initiatives for Student Enhancement (MCHC/RISE-UP) Program provides opportunities for enhanced public health and related training to undergraduate students from underrepresented populations to encourage and support the pursuit of graduate degrees. MCHC/RISE-UP grant funding was awarded to Kennedy Krieger Institute (KKI) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The program is built on a model developed at Kennedy Krieger using a previous CDC RISE grant.

The program is designed for undergraduates in their junior and senior year, and recent baccalaureate degree students in psychology, social work, biology, nursing, public health, sociology, and other related disciplines who are interested in learning more about the prevention of health disparities.  Through this program, university partners from across the nation will offer learning opportunities for these students, both at a local and national level. This program's ultimate goal is to promote a more diversified and equal health system by introducing highly qualified undergraduate students from underrepresented groups to the field of public health.

The MCHC/RISE-UP Program is a 10-week summer program that begins May 29, 2012 and ends August 3, 2012. The program kicks off with a two-week orientation at KKI and CDC, focused on public health training, as well as career and health equity.

There are three MCHC/RISE-UP sites:

1. Kennedy Krieger Institute/Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland

2. University of South Dakota/Sanford School of Medicine Center for Disabilities in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Three public health experiences are offered at each MCHC/RISE-UP site. Students can choose up to two (2) experiences at one (1) location. The public health experiences offered to students are clinical/community; leadership and policy; and research.

A stipend is provided to all program participants. Housing and round-trip travel for out-of-state students are also available.

Application deadline is February 14, 2012.

For more information and the application process please visit: http://www.kennedykrieger.org/professional-training/professional-training-programs/rise-programs/mchc-rise-up

Interested students may contact Jenese McFadden, Program Coordinator for RISE-UP, with Kennedy Krieger by phone at 443.923.5879or by email at McFaddenJ@KennedyKrieger.org