University of Minnesota, School of Public Health, 1954-2007

The University of Minnesota's Maternal and Child Public Health Training Program, funded by the MCH Bureau, began 1954 under the part-time stewardship of Dr. Ruth Boynton, after whom the University's Health Service is named.

She served the School of Public Health until 1956 when Dr. Helen Wallace, the matriarch of MCH programs, joined the School for three years.

After Dr. Wallace's departure, Dr. Allyn Bridge, from the Minnesota Department of Health, joined the School to head the program. Dr. Bridge, a pediatrician, developed ties with the Department of Pediatrics and their clinical services, making the program more available to medical residents. A Children's Bureau grant also provided faculty positions in nutrition, social work and nursing, expanding the School's resources in all those areas.

Dr. Bridge left the School in the early 1970s and was ultimately succeeded by Robert W. ten Bensel, MD. Dr. ten Bensel used the program to build bridges to community agencies. His prodigious energy and ability to speak effectively and persuasively made him one of the School's most effective ambassadors, and made MCH one of the School's best-known programs.

Joan Patterson, PhD was named Program Chair in 1995. At present Wendy Hellerstedt, PhD, MPH is the Director of the Center for Leadership Education in Maternal and Child Public Health and is Program Chair of the Maternal and Child Health Major.

In 1999 a new position, Director of Community Outreach, was created within the Center. This position is currently held by Julia Johnsen, MPH. Ms. Johnsen works in collaboration with the MCH Program to build and strengthen MCH's relationships to the professional community.