Walking for Mothers, Babies and Families Like Hers

Walking for Mothers, Babies and Families Like Hers

When Julie Trinh, a first-year student doctor (OMS-I) at Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (SHSU-COM), learned that the college was participating in March of Dimes’ March for Babies, she didn’t initially realize it was a resource for families like hers until she dug deeper.

As she discovered the organization’s mission to improve the health of moms and babies through research, education, advocacy and community programs, she began to see how closely that work connected to her own life.

In 2018, Trinh lost her mother during childbirth. Her baby brother survived, but at 16 years old, she became a caregiver for her family. “I felt like I was alone in this journey,” Trinh said.

Her days quickly shifted to early mornings, long responsibilities and little rest. She helped care for her newborn brother, supported her younger sister and grandparents, and continued to excel as an honors student. At the same time, her family was navigating grief, financial strain and the complexities of the healthcare system. That experience shaped both who she is and her decision to pursue medicine.

Caring for her family required her to think ahead, seek out support and adapt quickly. “Taking care of my family taught me to be proactive and resourceful,” Trinh said. It also showed her the importance of compassion, communication and trust during difficult moments. Today, as a student doctor at SHSU-COM, Trinh is pursuing a career in medicine with a focus on caring for families like her own.

She is drawn to osteopathic medicine’s whole-patient approach, which emphasizes understanding each patient’s full story, not just their symptoms. Growing up in an immigrant family, she saw how cultural understanding can influence whether patients feel comfortable seeking care or returning for follow-up. She hopes to become a physician who can help bridge that gap.

But her own experience also revealed something else. At one of the most critical moments for her family, they did not know what support was available or how to access it.

Led nationally by March of Dimes, March for Babies raises funds and awareness to support healthier pregnancies, expand access to care and improve outcomes for moms and babies. Through research, advocacy and community-based programs, the organization works to address key challenges in maternal and infant health.

This year, SHSU-COM is playing a leading role in the Montgomery County effort. Thomas J. Mohr, DO, dean of SHSU-COM and vice president for medical affairs, is serving as chair for the countywide March for Babies event.

The college is also walking alongside partners across Sam Houston State University, including the College of Health Sciences, College of Education, College of Business Administration and College of Science and Engineering Technology.

Together, students, faculty and staff are working to support families in the region and raise awareness of maternal and infant health. For Trinh, that mission is deeply personal. Her family did not know about resources that could have helped them at the time, and years later, she is still discovering programs they could have used.

“Now that I know about this organization, I want to be an advocate and share my story,” she said. “I’m walking for the mothers and babies who need that support.”

She also emphasizes that participation is open to anyone. “You don’t have to be a physician or have gone through something like this to be part of it,” Trinh said. “If you care about the health of mothers and babies, this is a way to make a difference.”

For Trinh, the walk is about helping families feel supported and less alone during some of their most difficult moments. For those walking through loss, she offers a message shaped by her experience: “There is light at the end of the tunnel.”

Join SHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine at the March for Babies Montgomery County event on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in The Woodlands, TX.

Hosted by March of Dimes, this event raises funds and awareness to support healthier pregnancies and improve outcomes for moms and babies. With maternal and infant health challenges continuing to impact families across the country, participation helps support research, advocacy and access to care.

Register to join Team SHSU-COM or make a donation.