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Sept. 17, 2026 | Online
2026 Maternal and Child Health Conference:
Healthy Starts, Thriving Futures: Innovations in Family Nutrition and Wellness
Schedule
| Time | Session | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30-8:40 a.m. (10 mins) | Introductory remarks | |
| Welcome message | Kiara Lyons Susie Leo Zoë Baker Jose-Benito Rosales Chavez | |
| 8:40 - 9:25 a.m. (45 mins) | Speaker session 1: | |
| Adventuring with Food: Developing a Family-Centered Nutrition Education Curriculum for Parents and Kids | Nevenka Christiansen, BS, MS Candidate | |
| 9:25 am – 10:35 am (70 mins) | Speaker Session 2: | |
| Weight Inclusive Approach to Nutrition & Wellness - Family Focus | Ashley Carrillo, MPH, RDN, CDCES | |
| 10:35am- 11:45am (70 mins) | Speaker session 3: | |
| Rooted in Support: Breastfeeding, Trust, and Continuity of Care | Erica Glaze, MPH, IBCLC | |
| 11:45-11:55am (10 mins) | Break | |
| 11:55 – 12:55 pm (60 mins) | Flash Talk/ Abstract Breakout Room Sessions: 8 presenters, 4 rounds for attendees to choose from (15 mins each) | |
| Round 1: Abstract Option 1 Moderated Heritability of Body Mass Growth by Physical Activity and Dietary Intake: Evidence from a Community Sample of Twin Youth Eva Bartsch | Round 1: Abstract Option 2 A Father's Influence on His Children's Nutrition Karma Liburd | |
| Round 2: Abstract Option 1 A general overview of perimenopause and the menopause transition and the treatments to support physical and mental health outcomes Julie Murphy | Round 2: Abstract Option 2 Effects of pregnancy intention, interpregnancy interval and postpartum contraception uptake on child survival Monirujjaman Biswas | |
| Round 3: Abstract Option 1 Real Ones Lead: How Youth Become the Solution Nesha Higgins & Mia Anderson | Round 3: Abstract Option 2 Kickoff For Children: Informing Equitable Recreational Programming in Early Childhood Education Settings Through a Mixed-Methods Study Alejandro Hernandez | |
| Round 4: Abstract Option 1 Reducing Maternal and Infant Mortality by Empowering Systems surrounding Maternal Mental Health Catrina Popelier | Round 4: Abstract Option 2 Black Perinatal Health Environmental Scan Karma Liburd | |
| 12:55 pm – 1:05pm (10 mins) | Break | |
| 1:05 pm – 2:00 pm (55 mins) | Speaker session 4: | |
| Child Nutrition Programs: Overview and Updates | Jennifer Blankenship, MPA | |
| 2:00 pm – 2:55 pm (55 mins) | Speaker session 5: | |
| You are what you eat: How feeding practices impact the microbiome and growth trajectories of infants | Corrie Whisner, PhD | |
| 2:55 pm – 4:00 pm (65 mins) | Translating into Actions: Workshop | |