2016 Excellence in State MCH Leadership Award
Rachel Sisson, Kansas Title V MCH Director and Director of the Bureau of Family Health (BFH) was recently awarded the 2016 Excellence in State MCH Leadership Award during the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) annual conference. This award is provided to one individual nationally recognized as an outstanding state MCH professional whose career has made significant contributions to the health of women, children and families in their state.
Rachel's leadership within the BFH Health has advanced many public health initiatives and has made a significant difference to women, infants, and children in Kansas. She envisions a system that maximizes input from internal and external stakeholders to strengthen the state's infrastructure to provide high quality, comprehensive, and coordinated services.
Leading initiatives to reduce infant mortality in Kansas, Rachel has partnered with local communities and a broader network of local health care and community services provider to launch a grassroots effort to form perinatal care collaboratives across the state. Seven collaboratives have been developed and preliminary birth outcome data show significant improvements including fewer preterm births and fewer low-birth weight babies! Sites are also reporting increased in breastfeeding initiation rates and lowered infant mortality rates.
Leading initiatives to reduce infant mortality in Kansas, Rachel has partnered with local communities and a broader network of local health care and community services provider to launch a grassroots effort to form perinatal care collaboratives across the state. Seven collaboratives have been developed and preliminary birth outcome data show significant improvements including fewer preterm births and fewer low-birth weight babies! Sites are also reporting increased in breastfeeding initiation rates and lowered infant mortality rates.
Rachel works closely with staff to make linkages and connections not previously identified among internal and external programs. "As Title V directors, we make a conscious decision to view challenges as stepping-stones versus obstacles," stated Rachel, a true reflection of her leadership and ability to inspire staff to think critically and be change agents for families in Kansas.
Join us in congratulating Rachel as the 2016 Excellence in State MCH Leadership Award Winner!!
