The Chiles Center is proud to announce the launch of its inaugural Student Advisory Board. This new initiative offers students a unique opportunity to play an active role in shaping student involvement, outreach, and engagement within the Center.

Members of the Student Advisory Board will collaborate with Chiles Center faculty and staff to support community engagement efforts, contribute to outreach initiatives, and strengthen connections across disciplines. Board members will also gain valuable experience through networking and mentorship opportunities with faculty leaders.

We welcome applications from undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students with an interest in maternal and child health. Students from all colleges are encouraged to apply, as the board aims to reflect a diverse range of perspectives and expertise.

The Chiles Center Lecture Series hosts distinguished leaders and practitioners in public health who share insights from their professional experiences, current research, and real-world impact. Held multiple times throughout the year, this series provides a unique opportunity for students, faculty, and public health professionals to engage directly with experts shaping the field.

The series is designed to foster multidisciplinary dialogue and strengthen national collaboration across public health sectors. In addition to formal presentations, guest speakers often participate in discussions and networking with students and faculty at the USF College of Public Health.

Past speakers have included Dr. Michael Warren, Chief Medical and Health Officer of the March of Dimes, and Dr. Donna Petersen, former Dean of the USF College of Public Health and current Professor.

The annual Chiles Center Synergy celebrates the work of the faculty, staff, and students who drive this mission forward while strengthening the collaboration and shared passion needed to improve well-being for families and communities.

The 2026 Synergy Event featured a keynote lecture by Dr. Donna Petersen, titled “Aligning the Stars: Health Policy Begins with You,” which emphasized the critical role of individuals in shaping effective public health policy.

The event also recognized outstanding student scholarship, honoring Amandeep Ratta, a doctoral candidate in Community and Family Health, as the recipient of the Charles Mahan Best Student Paper in Maternal and Child Health Award. Ratta was recognized for the paper, "Referral Linkages to Support Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals with Opioid Use Disorders in Florida: A Social Network Analysis."

The 2026 Chiles Center Lecture Series has brought leading public health voices to the USF College of Public Health, offering students, faculty, and professionals the opportunity to engage with experts on the critical role of policy in improving population health.

January 2026 featured Dr. Michael Warren, MD, MPH, FAAP, Chief Medical and Health Officer of the March of Dimes and a nationally recognized pediatrician and public health leader. In the lecture, “Into the Traffic: Reflections on Policy from a Career Public Health Do-gooder,” Dr. Warren explored policy as a fundamental public health function, sharing practical frameworks and insights into how maternal and child health (MCH) professionals can effectively engage in policy development and implementation.

April 2026 welcomed Dr. Donna Petersen, ScD, MHS, CPH, FAAAS, Professor and former Dean of the USF College of Public Health. In the lecture, “Aligning the Stars: Policy Begins with You,” Dr. Petersen highlighted the importance of health policy in shaping public health outcomes and emphasized the role of individuals in driving meaningful policy change.

Students from the Chiles Center for Family and Child Well-Being showcased their innovative research at USF Health Research Day 2026, highlighting the Center’s commitment to advancing public health knowledge and practice.

Among the presenters, Annabelle Zielinski received the COPH Basic Science/Clinical or Translational Research Award for Undergraduate Student Research. Zielinski was recognized for the poster, “Strengthening Health Policy Education: A Narrative Literature Review to Inform Curriculum Development in the Context of Higher Education.”

The Chiles Center hosted its annual Student & Faculty Networking Event in Fall 2025, welcoming incoming students and strengthening connections across the community. This event provides an opportunity for students and Chiles Center faculty to engage in meaningful conversation, build professional relationships, and foster a sense of collaboration early in the academic year.