The mission of the Minority Health and Health Equity Research Center (MHHERC) at Dillard University is to take a comprehensive approach to advancing research across disciplinary areas, promote collaboration throughout the scientific community, and improve the overall quality of health for racial and ethnic minorities. The Beacon is the official newsletter of the MHHERC.

Dillard University's HEAL Certification Program stands as a beacon of hope, paving the way for a future where health equity and breastfeeding support go hand in hand, fostering healthier communities and reducing disparities in maternal and infant health.

Dillard University is now accepting applications for its groundbreaking Health Equity, Advocacy, and Lactation (HEAL) Certification Program, which is a pivotal step in addressing maternal and infant mortality and morbidity within Black communities. The Minority Health & Health Equity Research Center spearheaded the development of HEAL and announced its launch during Breastfeeding month, underlining the program's commitment to promoting breastfeeding as a key aspect of maternal and infant health. With a focus on health equity, HEAL aims to increase breastfeeding rates by fostering family support and training a more diverse cohort of lactation professionals.

Breastfeeding is a crucial public health strategy, particularly within Black communities where maternal and infant mortality rates remain disproportionately high. To tackle this issue, the HEAL Certification Program was developed to fill a critical gap in breastfeeding support for Black women. It stands as the first lactation certification program with a dedicated health equity focus and the first entry-level lactation certification open to broad specialties offered by any university.

The three-week intensive course incorporates six hours of on-site clinical experience, providing students with hands-on training to become effective lactation professionals. Open for enrollment to students in New Orleans, the program welcomes those pursuing majors in nursing, medicine, public health, and other pre-health professions. In a bid to involve current healthcare professionals, a limited number of designated seats will be reserved for practitioners already engaged in supporting lactating parents in their existing roles.

Dr. Torrie T. Harris, Assistant Secretary for Women’s Health & Community Health at the Louisiana Health Department, expressed enthusiasm about the program's potential impact. "HEAL represents a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to address health disparities. By empowering a diverse group of professionals with a health equity lens, we aim to make a lasting impact on breastfeeding rates in Black communities."

Enrollment in the HEAL Certification Program comes at a cost of $700, however full scholarships are available with support from grant funds provided by the Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation. For those interested in learning more about this pioneering initiative, a video detailing the program can be found here. Applications are now being accepted until February 22, 2024.

To apply, visit the HEAL website at www.duheal.org.

Reproductive well-being means that all people have equitable access to the information, services, and support they need to have control over their bodies, and make their own decisions related to sexuality and reproduction throughout their lives. Power to Decide, originally known as The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy is working with HBCU's to advance a culture of reproductive well-being.

Under the leadership of the Collective Impact and Maternal & Infant Health Initiatives with the March of Dimes, the Minority Health and Health Equity Research Center, along with Fathers Matter has been awarded a $20,000 grant from Power to Decide to better ensure reproductive well-being on Dillard 's campus and in the broader community. Fathers Matter, a program facilitated by Compassion Outreach of America in New Orleans, is actively engaged in fostering community connections among fathers through a 10-week series of coursework and weekly discussions.

Robin Gruenfeld, the director of Maternal & Child Health Collective Impact approached Dillard in 2023 about partnering with March of Dimes and Dr. Bantu Gross, program director with Fathers Matter, to apply for funding. After writing a successful application, Juniors, D'Nyla Dean and Kayla Hennigan were selected as Youth Ambassadors and Jacques J. Detiege, DU director of Institutional Research & Analytics completed the team. The group travelled to Washington, DC last September to attend the Reproductive Well-Being Shared Learning Collaborative with other grant recipients. While there, the team gained further recognition when D'Nyla and Kayla's mission and vision statements were selected for the 2023 cohort.

Centered on education, resource provision, and the prevention of unplanned pregnancies, the team at Dillard University has coined the logo "It Takes Two" to symbolize their commitment to the cause and promote their work on campus. Additionally, a comprehensive survey is in development and will be distributed to the entire student body to gauge their understanding of reproductive health, paving the way for targeted interventions to positively impact outcomes. To encourage participation, It Takes Two is organizing a free crawfish boil event to foster community engagement.

Left. Dr. Smith passes out children's vitamins to families waiting in line to receive medical care. (Photo credit: Jon Porter) Right. Dr. Smith exchanges gifts with Lt. Keneth Hoffens, Operations Officer for the Hospital Fuerza Aerea.

In addition to her role as the Director of the Minority Health and Health Equity Research Center, Dr. Michelle R. Smith was commissioned into the Air Force in 2018 and serves as the Public Health Officer with the 189th medical group at the Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas. In a tangible display of dedication to global health, Dr. Smith was among a team of 36 National Guardsmen on a humanitarian medical mission to Guatemala City. The week-long mission, based at Nuestra Señora Virgen de Loreto, a Guatemala Air Force hospital, provided free-of-charge medical care to residents in need. Service members treated over 1,200 individuals, offering dental, optometry, family medicine, and orthopedic care. Dr. Smith helped provide education on STD prevention in Guatemala and also secured pillowcase dresses from members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and oral health items from businesses to distribute.

Dr. Smith brings a unique perspective to the students at Dillard by virtue of her experience in the Air National Guard. Her military service allows her to expose students to diverse career paths, showcasing the critical role public health can play in maintaining the well-being of service members and their communities. By sharing her experiences, Dr. Smith hopes to inspire students to consider the military as a meaningful avenue for applying their public health knowledge, fostering a deeper understanding of the broader impact such careers can have both at home and abroad.

To that end, Dr. Smith is working with the DU Pre-Health program to host webinars with recruiters from the Air Force, Navy and Air National Guard to provide guidance to students aspiring to pursue careers in medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, and other public health professions. Sessions will explore the unique opportunities that the various Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Programs can offer. The first webinar will take place on Thursday, April 11, 2024 from 11:30-12:30pm. Students interested in joining can email Latricia Tillman.

To view pictures from the humanitarian mission in Guatemala, click here.

This semester has been a busy time for the Pre-Health Program, with many students exploring summer internships and enrichment opportunities. Below are some highlights:

In November, Pre-Health Program students, D’Nyla Dean and Tyler Finley were accepted into the Future Physicians Initiative. This robust, comprehensive program aims to diversify medicine. Funded by Genentech and spearheaded by The 15 White Coats, the 6-month, virtual cohort program offers a holistic approach supporting MCAT preparation, mentorship, personal statement crafting, interview preparedness, culturally-attuned mental conditioning, and financial aid for 50 students from HBCUs.

In December, Pre-Health Program Senior, Treasure Boykin received acceptances in two Dental Schools.

Lastly, after announcing her highly anticipated RENAISSANCE World Tour, Beyoncé Knowles Carter committed $1M to support education through the RENAISSANCE Scholars Program to impact 10 Colleges/Universities worldwide, where 100 students were awarded $10,000 scholarships. The ten Dillard University BeyGood RENAISSANCE Scholars are: 

Monique Turner        Judeline Joseph     Trinity James        T’Aneka Bowers Aeyvionne Irvin

Teagan Fitzgerald     Daijah Hubbard      Daniel Martinez      D’Nyla Dean David Durotoye 

Nine of the ten are active participants in the Dillard University Pre-Health Program. To learn more about DU's Pre-Health program, contact Ms. Latricia Tillman at ltillman@dillard.edu or 504.816.5702.

The Minority Health and Health Equity Research Center is partnering with the Cade Foundation to support the Louisiana Reproductive & Maternal Justice Summit taking place on Wednesday, February 28, 2023. This one day virtual summit will feature a live panel discussing maternal health, infertility and reproductive health in the Black community.

The Tinina Q. Cade Foundation (Cade Foundation) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote awareness of infertility and serve the needs of families struggling with infertility by providing educational resources and financial assistance for helping them grow their families. 

To RSVP to attend the summit, click here.

Ronald C. Guidry, Jr., an exemplary alumnus of Dillard University, has crafted an extraordinary career that showcases the power of resilience and adaptability. Graduating in 2005 with a major in Mass Communications, Mr. Guidry’s career began in the radio industry, where his talent and passion quickly garnered the attention of industry insiders.

His journey took an unexpected turn, however, when he decided to venture into farming, a decision that was driven by his desire to work for himself and make a meaningful impact in his community. His commitment and hard work earned him recognition within the farming community, and eventually, significant appointments by the White House and Congress for his contributions to the field.

Currently, Mr. Guidry serves as the State Executive Director at the Farm Service Agency, where he plays a critical role in shaping agricultural policies and providing essential support to farmers in times of need. His commitment to his roots is evident in his service in his hometown, where he has made significant strides as the first black person to hold his current position. His story serves as an inspiration to current and future Dillard students, reminding them to embrace diverse opportunities and stay true to their roots as they forge their own paths to success.

As Mr. Guidry reflects on his achievements, he takes pride in making his parents proud and finds fulfillment in his current role. His story is a shining example of the excellence and innovation that are hallmarks of the Dillard University community, inspiring others to pursue their dreams and make their mark in the world.

Twayna Williams, a remarkable public health student with a passion for promoting health and disease prevention. Twayna is an active member of several organizations, including the Public Health Club, President's Organization of Dillard's Up-and-Coming Superstars (PODUS), BleuTroop, Curvy Girls, and is a McNair Scholar. She also serves as a First Year Experience (FYE) mentor, where she enjoys connecting with incoming students and helping them navigate their college journey.

Hailing from Reserve, Louisiana, Twayna always knew she wanted to attend an HBCU. Dillard's welcoming environment and its sense of community drew her in, reminding her of her hometown. Her impressive internship experiences have allowed her to gain valuable insights into public health issues. From researching tobacco marketing targeting the black community to working on a project on HIV research and its impact on public health, Twayna has demonstrated her dedication to improving the health of underserved communities. She plans to pursue a master's degree, followed by a Ph.D., with the goal of becoming a professor.

Before entering graduate school, Twayna plans to work as an epidemiologist for the government, where she hopes to make a real-world impact in public health and her community.

Dillard University

Minority Health & Health Equity Research Center

2601 Gentilly Blvd

PSB - Suite 307

New Orleans, Louisiana 70122

504.816.4001