Cynthia Cassell, a MCH doctoral student, has been selected as an American Public Health Association (APHA) Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Section Outstanding Student Author for 2007-2008.

The Outstanding Student Authors program is designed to promote and advance research related to MCH populations, and to provide an opportunity for the MCH Section to recognize students with exemplary research.
 Cynthia Cassell’s research Objectives were: To determine: 1) percentage of infants with OFC who received cleft surgery; 2) age surgery occurred; 3) percentage of infants who received specialized services; and 4) factors associated with timely cleft surgery. The research concluded that:  Most infants with OFC in North Carolina received cleft surgery within ACPA recommendations. Many infants did not receive other necessary specialized services. Efforts need to be addressed to increase timely receipt of services for this population to improve their health outcomes. The Review Committee was very impressed with Ms. Cassell’s research that contributes to promotion of maternal and child health.