Passaic Today

Montclair State University is making strides in maternal and child health nutrition with two graduate students pioneering a new program. Brianna Jack and Sydni Hebert are the first participants from Montclair State University in The TRANSCEND Program, a yearlong traineeship focusing on maternal and child health-related topics.

Associate Nutrition and Food Studies Professor Lauren Dinour emphasized the importance of training the next generation of maternal child health leaders, stating, "A nation is only as healthy as its maternal population." She also highlighted the need for more diversity in the field, mentioning, "Registered dietitians as a profession historically have been very homogeneous in terms of gender, race and ethnicity."

Brianna Jack, one of the graduate students, shared her motivation for studying nutrition, expressing, "What I found so fascinating about a lot of the chronic conditions that just happened to be killers in the United States is that they can be managed or prevented with diet." She emphasized the impact of maternal health on future generations, stating, "Children model what they see."

Sydni Hebert, the other graduate student, focused her research on nutrition information sources for pregnant women. She highlighted the reliance on healthcare providers and the internet for information, especially among low-income pregnant women. Hebert aims to improve the accessibility and understanding of nutrition education for pregnant women.

Both Jack and Hebert are set to submit their research for publication in a peer-reviewed journal, showcasing the valuable contributions they are making to the field of maternal and child health nutrition. Additionally, the TRANSCEND program will expand to include undergraduates this summer, creating opportunities for students to intern and shadow practitioners in the field.

As Montclair State University continues to pioneer initiatives in maternal and child health nutrition, the efforts of students like Brianna Jack and Sydni Hebert are shaping the future of healthcare with a focus on diversity and improved health outcomes.