The NYSCHECK Environmental Health (EH) Scholars Program is a two-year program designed to create a pipeline of future leaders in children’s environmental health. Scholars work at one of the 7 NYSCHECK centers. Each scholar designs and implements a priority environmental health project for their center which aligns with the NYSCHECK mission. Scholars are mentored by experts in the field of pediatric environmental health, epidemiology, toxicology, and public health. They learn about the fundamentals of environmental risk assessment and risk communication and have opportunities to engage in wide ranging learning and health advocacy opportunities. Scholars come from diverse fields including medicine, social work, public health and environmental health.

The application submission process is currently closed.

Current 2023-2024 NYSCHECK EH Scholars

Kelly Galloway, MPH, Albany
Building Environmental Capacity in the Capital District and North Country

Emma Holland RN, MPH, NYC
Pediatric Environmental Health Risk Communication: Call Center 2.0: Vision for the Future

Vaidehi Jokhakar, MPH, MSW, Long Island
1. Creating an Environmental Health Leadership Program in High School
2. Addressing Housing Quality and Environmental Health Needs

Christy Kim, MD, Westchester
Building a Severe Asthma Registry with Enhanced Screening and Targeted Intervention Services – collaborative effort with Zachary Messer

Olivia Malvasi, MPH, Syracuse
I-81 Project: Pollution Monitoring and Community Engagement

Zachary Messer, MPH, Westchester
Building a Severe Asthma Registry with Enhanced Screening and Targeted Intervention Services – collaborative effort with Christy Kim

Christina Padgett, DO, MHS, FAAP, Buffalo
Development and Implementation of a Climate Change and Health Curriculum into Pediatric Resident Education

Rebekeh Prasad,  NP, MSPH, Rochester
Two Related EH Screening Projects Linking to Prevention Resources:
1. Assessing the process of environmental screening for an urban pediatric population, from screening to patient, understanding referral resources.
2. Implementing 2019 Lead guidelines using a multidisciplinary team approach for an urban pediatric practice.

Pelumi Soyemi, MPH, Long Island
Elevating Parental Voice and Presence in Environmental Health Priorities Setting Through PhotoVoice

Lorraine Thibodeau, MD, Albany
Integrating Climate and Health into Medical School Curriculum

Hannah Thompson, MD, NYC
Evaluating and Streamlining the Environmental Health Consultation Service to Improve Risk Communication Services – collaboration with Emma Holland

Augusta Williams, DSc, MPH, Syracuse
Capacity Building Project to Address a Key EH Priority of the CNY Center