October 6, 2025

Amira Idris, a second-year Master of Public Health (MPH) student in Drexel Dornsife School of Public Health department of Health Management & Policy with a minor in Maternal and Child Health, completed a Title V Maternal and Child Health (MCH) internship over the summer at the Maryland Department of Health.

A Title V internship is a highly selective opportunity for MCH trainees in Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) funded MCH training programs such as the MCH Program at Drexel Dornsife. The Title V Internship program aims to provide future MCH professionals with experience working in state and jurisdictional Title V agencies under the mentorship and guidance of Title V agency public health preceptors. The Title V MCH Services Block Grant Program is a partnership between the federal government and states that supports the health and wellbeing of mothers, children, and families.

Amira's placement for the internship program was at the Maryland Department of Health with the focus of improving the health of women, infants, children, and families. In this role, she supported the agency’s Title V Needs Assessment and program planning activities. State Title V programs are required by the federal government to complete comprehensive five-year needs assessments to identify state priorities for Title V federal funding.

Amira's primary responsibilities included assisting with an action plan, creating short-form educational videos, and researching financial assistance for cochlear implants.

Learn more about Amira’s experience:

Q: In your Title V internship, what were your duties?

Primarily, I worked on creating short educational videos for the Office of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) as well as researching financial assistance programs for cochlear implants. I worked on the five-year action plan specifically on items pertaining to Women's/Maternal and Perinatal/Infant Health, ensuring it clearly reflected state priorities and aligned with federal guidelines.

Q: How did you see your work have an impact?

Although I haven't yet been able to fully see the results of my efforts, I am confident that the materials I developed will benefit families and help the Office of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs in achieving its objectives.

Families can view the videos whenever it's convenient for them on the Maryland Early Hearing Detection & Intervention website. Additionally, families who reached out to the Office of CYSHCN for support have already been informed about the research I did on cochlear implant financial assistance programs.

It's my hope that these contributions will improve families' access to the services and information they need.

Q: What are you most proud of so far in your public health journey?

One of my favorite experiences was this Title V internship with the Maryland Department of Health and my work on the five-year action plan. I’m proud of this experience because it strengthened my understanding of how public health policy translates into tangible programs that serve women, children, and families.

Q: What drives you to work in MCH?

My motivation stems from the idea that a healthy start in life influences all subsequent events. At times when help is most needed, too many families encounter obstacles including insurance, transportation, and unclear policies. Working in maternal and child health lets me help remove those barriers and build systems that protect both mothers and children.

Q: Why did you choose to pursue public health as a career and why Dornsife?

I chose public health as a career because my long-term goal is to lead health systems that make care more accessible and equitable, designing strategies that reach underserved communities and ensuring that every policy decision is grounded in both compassion and evidence. I chose Dornsife because of the faculty and the robust research opportunities, and when I visited, I knew this was the place for me.

Q: What are your hopes for your future career?

I hope to work at the intersection of hospital administration and public health policy, shaping programs that reduce disparities in maternal and child health. I want a career where I can influence both day-to-day operations and the broader policies that determine whether families get equitable, high-quality care.

Learn more about our Maternal and Child Health Program at Drexel Dornsife

Dornsife students who would like to learn more about the MCH Title V Summer Internship can reach out to MCH program coordinator Renee Davis, MD, MPH, with questions. Applications for 2026 internships will open in December 2025.

Dornsife's Maternal and Child Health Program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.