Graduating public health student following her mother’s footsteps

When Grace Mabiala-Maye, MD, was about 9 years old, her mother, who owned a small, rural maternal and child health clinic in the Republic of Congo at the time, asked her to help deliver a baby amid a nighttime electricity outage.

This experience — which involved holding a candle to provide light, then cleaning and holding the newborn while her mother provided maternal care — defined Dr. Mabiala-Maye’s future.

“At that moment, I knew I wanted to become a medical doctor,” she said. “My courage impressed my mother and from that moment on, she always called me ‘doctor.’”

On May 5, Dr. Mabiala-Maye graduated with honors of the highest distinction from the UNMC Master of Public Health program, with a concentration in maternal and child health. Her time at the UNMC College of Public Health is not over; she recently was accepted into the PhD in Health Services and Policy Research program and received an assistantship that will provide financial support and opportunities to work closely with faculty on research projects.

Dr. Mabiala-Maye earned her medical degree from the Faculty of Health Sciences at Marien Ngouabi University in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. She then worked as a medical coordinator assistant for a non-governmental organization serving refugees and asylum seekers in rural Likoula, Republic of Congo, for three years.

Since moving from central Africa to Omaha, Dr. Mabiala-Maye said faculty at the UNMC College of Public Health have supported her both academically and emotionally.

Her academic advisor, Abbie Raikes, PhD, has been especially impactful. In their first meeting, Dr. Mabiala-Maye expected to discuss careers and classes. Instead, Dr. Raikes asked questions such as “how are you adjusting?” and “do you have a good winter coat?”

“I felt seen and heard because she did not treat me like a student only but as a human coming from another country who never experienced winter before,” Dr. Mabiala-Maye said.

Dr. Raikes said it has been a pleasure to advise Dr. Mabiala-Maye.

“In working with Grace, I have learned of her deep commitment to learning all she can about public health and her fantastic sense of humor, adventure and courage in taking on new challenge,” Dr. Raikes said. “I am confident that she will do great things in her career and look forward to seeing all she will accomplish.”

Among others, Shelly Strong, PhD, has also helped Dr. Mabiala-Maye feel welcome in Nebraska. Last Christmas, after realizing Dr. Mabiala-Maye was without holiday plans, Dr. Strong invited her to join her family to celebrate.

“I have admired Grace’s desire to seek out challenges that will aid in her growth as a person and as a professional,” Dr. Strong said. “She also challenges existing systems and mindsets that keep her from moving forward. Lastly, and arguably most important, she has an amazing sense of humor and is able to create connections through her lighthearted wit.”

Following after her mother, now a retired midwife, in her commitment to maternal and child health, Dr. Mabiala-Maye said she plans to focus her research on rural communities.

“I was particularly drawn to the intersection of poverty, geography and health care access, which led me to focus my research efforts on rural health disparities, especially among pregnant women and children,” she said. “I believe everyone deserves access to quality health care, regardless of where they live, and I am passionate about contributing to efforts that help make this a reality.”