#UMNMCH student Meredith Shimek reflects on her work with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) as a Title V MCH Data and Community Engagement Intern, and how she supported the department’s efforts to advance the health of Minnesotan families. In this piece, Meredith shares her motivations and passions in public health as well as her experiences contributing to this unique project.
Path to Maternal and Child Health (MCH)
My path to Maternal and Child Health (MCH) began during my teen years, when I was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder. Spending time at appointments with my healthcare providers, navigating healthcare systems and educating others about my condition became my earliest experiences with health education and advocacy. This led me to volunteer at my local hospital in high school and pursue a psychology and international relations double major in college, taking courses such as Adolescent Development, Comparative Health Systems, and Health, Work, and Family Policy. Being able to take such a variety of interdisciplinary classes showed me the importance of systems-level work and ultimately guided me toward an interest in public health and the University of Minnesota’s MCH MPH Program.
Current Work at the Minnesota Department of Health
I learned about Center-funded deployment opportunities in an email sent to me the summer before I started the MCH Program, and I began my deployment with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) during my first semester (Fall 2024). That time marked the start of the 2025 Title V Needs Assessment cycle, a 5-year statewide review to recognize health needs for pregnant women, mothers, infants and children to guide MCH Block Grant activities and determine goals and priorities to improve health outcomes in the upcoming years. I started specifically during Phase 3, which includes prioritization and action planning. Much of my early work involved updating MDH’s priority briefs, analyzing data, gathering family and community input through surveys, questionnaires, and quotes from their storytelling initiative, and collaborating with staff at our state’s 52 community health boards and 87 local public health agencies. Along with my preceptors, I also had the opportunity to present our evolving work at the 2025 CityMatCH Conference, where we received valuable insights and feedback from MCH professionals from across the country.
Strengthening the 2025 Title V MCH Needs Assessment
The central goal of most of my projects was to contribute to a more responsive Title V Needs Assessment with stronger MCH system alignment. This included revising priority language, updating data sources, engaging key implementers, and reviewing financial information such as Title V dollars spent and the populations served. These efforts support the renewal of federal funds and ensure that Minnesota’s MCH priorities reflect community needs and emerging trends.
Applying the LIFE Framework in Practice
The LIFE Framework (Leadership, Interdisciplinary practice, Family-Professional Partnerships, and Equity) guided my approach throughout this work. I embraced leadership by helping advance project management and creating a Microsoft List for MDH staff. I created this shared space as part of my Applied Practice Experience (APEx), offering MDH staff processes which shape clearer communication, collaboration, and organization for the projects, presentations, and papers that they’re working on. My interdisciplinary academic background strengthened communication with epidemiologists, policy staff, and community health professionals, while our listening sessions with 41 community health boards highlighted the importance of family perspectives in shaping Title V priorities. Finally, an equity lens was central to every stage of the assessment, prompting critical questions about who is served, who is overlooked, and how Minnesota can improve data systems and outreach to address disparities.
Collaboration, Processes, and Products
Overall, all of my work at MDH has been deeply collaborative, including working with MDH’s Child and Family Health Division, MDH’s four other health divisions, local public health partners across our 52 counties, and community organizations statewide. Throughout the Needs Assessment cycle, we revised priority briefs, produced data briefs, a Title V Tour summary, a 2026–2030 priorities overview, and federal fiscal year financial summaries. Lastly, the Microsoft List tool I developed became a valuable resource for staff to organize their projects and milestones and collaborate on shared interests. Together, these products reflect an assessment process grounded in partnership, meaningful engagement, and a shared commitment to improving the health of Minnesota’s families. I plan to continue engaging in this kind of work after I graduate this Spring.
BIO
Meredith Shimek is a second-year MCH MPH student with an Epidemiology minor. She received her BA from Beloit College.
Interested in learning more about getting a degree in MCH? Visit our MCH Program page for more information.
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