This week, the UCR School of Medicine Center for Healthy Communities (CHC) announced the recipients of its 2024 Community Medicine and Population Health Mini-Grants Program. Third-year medical student Zayan Musa and third-year developmental psychology PhD student Chelsea McElwee will receive funding for their projects to establish a breast milk depot and hold mental health workshops, respectively.
The annual mini-grant program, which funds up to two community health and population medicine initiatives per year, has awarded over $50,000 to over the past six years. Musa’s project “The Impact of a Breast Milk Depot on Mothers and NICU Babies of the Inland Empire” and McElwee’s project “ThriveHer: Nurturing Girls' Strength Across the Inland Empire” each reflect CHC’s commitment to improving community health and addressing critical needs in the region.
“The CHC congratulates this year’s winners and applauds their dedication to improving community health,” said Michelle Burroughs, director of the Center for Healthy Communities. “These initiatives not only address immediate needs but also build a foundation for sustainable growth and empowerment across the Inland Empire.”
This year’s mini-grant review meeting, held in November, showcased the collaborative effort of community leaders in selecting recipients for much-needed services.
The CHC extends special thanks to the 2024-2025 Mini-Grant Review Committee, including:
- Marci Coffey, Director of Strategic Provider Partnerships at Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP)
- Jorge Delos Santos, Director of Community Health Programs at TruEvolution
- Fatima Baldemar, Founding Executive Director at Love and Nurture Initiative
- Vincent Nguyen, Lead Clinic Coordinator - Riverside and Jurupa Valley at Vituity Cares Foundation
Additionally, they expressed gratitude to Stephanie Sandoval, the health educator, for project support.
The Impact of a Breast Milk Depot on Mothers and NICU Babies of the Inland Empire
Lead project developer: Zayan Musa
Breast milk plays a critical role in the health of premature infants, reducing risks of complications like necrotizing enterocolitis and supporting faster recovery. However, socio-economic barriers in the Inland Empire make access to this vital resource challenging.
Musa’s initiative seeks to establish a breast milk depot at the UCR School of Medicine’s Silver Oak Women’s Center, a much-needed resource for mothers in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The depot will collect surplus breast milk from mothers with overproduction or those who have experienced stillbirth, providing life-saving nourishment for NICU babies.
“Our partnership with UC San Diego’s Milk Bank allows us to bridge this gap,” said Musa. “By creating a local depot, we can support both mothers willing to donate and infants in desperate need.”
Musa aims to help 50-100 community members annually through the program while educating donors on the importance of breastfeeding and its impact on infant health. Long term, the project will ideally secure funding for infrastructure, including tissue bank licensing and storage facilities, to ensure sustainable operations and expand outreach.
ThriveHer: Nurturing Girls' Strength Across the Inland Empire
Lead project developer: Chelsea McElwee
ThriveHer addresses the urgent mental health needs of girls aged 12-21 in the Inland Empire. Partnering with the Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation, the program will feature workshops during the 24th Annual Empowering Young Women Conference emphasizing mental wellness, self-expression, and resilience.
Participants will engage in interactive wellness sessions, arts-based projects, and mentorship opportunities to foster community connection and emotional strength. The initiative also provides mental wellness kits, equipping participants with tools to manage stress and anxiety long after the conference.
“Our goal is to empower young women to thrive despite the challenges they face,” said McElwee. “By addressing mental health, we aim to create a foundation for lifelong resilience and success.”
With plans for sustainability, ThriveHer will integrate mental wellness as a cornerstone of future conferences while expanding partnerships and youth leadership opportunities to ensure long-term impact.
