The Philadelphia Business Journal recently named Dr. Mariana Chilton, an assistant professor at the Drexel School of Public Health, as one of the region’s 40 individuals, under the age of 40, who are most deserving of special acknowledgement. The 40 under 40 Awards Program profiles the region’s top young professionals.
The 40 recipients are up-and-coming young leaders who have shaped the community in ways that have made Greater Philadelphia a better place to do business and live.
According to Editor Bernard Dagenais, "This program enables the Philadelphia Business Journal, and our high-powered readers, to learn about some of the rising business leaders in the region. These are people who distinguish themselves through their talent and their actions, on behalf of companies and causes that help to define the business community."
As a faculty member at the Drexel School of Public Health, Dr. Chilton is the champion and founder of The Philadelphia GROW Project – an initiative that works to improve the growth and well-being of children, prevent hunger and food insecurity, and promote the health of Philadelphia’s youngest children and their families.
Dean Marla Gold, MD, with Prof. Mariana Chilton at the
Philadelphia Business Journal's 40 Under 40 Awards Program
"Thanks to the Philadelphia Business Journal for recognizing the importance and efforts of not only me – but many at the Drexel School of Public Health – who are working to promote the rights and well-being of very young children and their families," said Dr. Chilton. "Our focus is to convince others that hunger is not only intolerable, but also preventable. Thanks also to the support of philanthropists such as Claneil Foundation, Inc., The Pew Charitable Trusts and others, we are able to carry out our mission to end hunger."
The Philadelphia GROW Project provides free help to children who are underweight because of poor diets and hunger. Most of the patients are among the astounding 32 percent of the city’s children who live in poverty. The GROW Project has three components: a primary care clinic, national research site and advocacy in support of family services, such as housing subsidies and food stamps.
The GROW Clinic opened in 2005 with five patients. Today, the clinic treats more than 170 children diagnosed with failure-to-thrive, as well as their caregivers.
The GROW Project is also part of the national C-SNAP (Children’s Sentinel Nutrition Assessment Program) research project. With over 24,000 infants and toddlers in the research sample, C-SNAP investigates the impact of public assistance programs on the health and wellbeing of children from birth to age three. These infants and toddlers are in the most critical stage for brain growth and child development. To date, C-SNAP-Philadelphia (under the direction of Dr. Chilton) has interviewed more than 2,000 families, and provided outreach to over 650 families.
Dr. Chilton’s profile was be printed in a special editorial section of the Philadelphia Business Journal on May 4 and was recognized at an awards banquet on Wednesday, May 2, at the Sheraton Society Hill. One of the 40 winners will be chosen for the Outstanding Young Entrepreneur Award, a new addition this year.
The program is sponsored by Bank of America, Comcast Spectacor, Temple University’s Fox School of Business and Southwest Airlines.