Hannah Emple

Originally from Massachusetts, Hannah graduated in 2010 from Macalester College in St. Paul, MN with a degree in geography and a concentration in community and global health. Her thesis research explored how health care providers and families navigate decisions about where to give birth. She has volunteered as an English as a Second Language instructor, a tutor for K-12 students, and as a birth doula at a maternity care unit at a local hospital. She also interned with Wellshare International, working on several Twin Cities initiatives that seek to connect Somali immigrants and refugees with culturally-meaningful health services.

Field placement: University of Maryland School of Medicine

Baltimore, Maryland

Hannah worked with the Growth and Nutrition Division of the Department of Pediatrics to identify barriers to food security for Baltimore families with infants and toddlers. She interviewed service providers and families to learn more about existing local resources as well as gaps in the service delivery system. She collaborated on a policy brief documenting the impact of food insecurity on families with children.

Policy placement: Food Research & Action Center

Washington, D.C.

Hannah contributed to research on the challenges of implementing new policy changes from the Child Nutrition Reauthorization. In addition, she researched existing wellness policies for the Child and Adult Care Food Program, supported FRAC’s ongoing advocacy efforts to improve access to WIC, and collaborated on policy papers documenting the disproportionate burden rising food and housing costs place on low-income individuals and families.

Publications