G6: Engaging Children in Health: Creative Education, Family Engagement, and Prevention Strategies

Mauricia T. Lewis is a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago and resides in that country. She received a Master of Education Health Promotion from The University of the West Indies St. Augustine campus in 2018. In 2015 she received a post graduate degree in Communications, Media and Public Relations from the University of Leicester, England. In 2012, she received a Bachelor’s degree in Film with a Major in Film Studies and Minor in Psychology from The University of the West Indies. For the past twelve (12) years she has been employed in the Public Health Department and Health Education Unit of the Port of Spain Corporation. Her job title is Audio Visual Aids Officer. Her duties include working with the Public Health Educator I and II.
During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic she assisted and worked with the Health Educator I distributing literature to schools, business establishments, members of council and members of the public. Some of this literature includes:
• COVID-19 fact sheet (in English and Spanish). These were distributed to primary and secondary schools.
• Assisted with COVID-19 (novel Coronavirus) Bilingual Booklet. This was distributed to establishments and members of the public and distributed to members of council of the Port of Spain Corporation.
• Wash hand poster.

Fatimah Khan is an undergraduate public health student at Central Michigan University, expected to graduate in May 2025. She is a Multicultural Advancement Scholar of Distinction and previously served as President of Eta Sigma Gamma – Eta Chapter for a year and a half, leading initiatives to promote health education, including efforts to encourage wellness among elementary school students. She also served as the Student Representative for GLC-SOPHE and spent the past four years working as a student assistant in the Office for Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Fatimah plans to pursue a Master of Public Health in the Fall of 2025 to further her commitment to creating equitable health outcomes.

Dr. Tanis Walch is a Professor in the Public Health Education program at the University of North Dakota. With the ultimate goal of eliminating health disparities, enhancing health equity, and improving health outcomes, Dr. Walch’s research is focused on health promotion and disease prevention. Dr. Walch has won over $6 million in federal, state, and foundation funding to improve physical and mental health in youth. Dr. Walch has unique experience examining community and school social system change with equity to improve evidence-based practice implementation in children and families.