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WSU BSOM
GLOBAL HEALTH SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Let's give a warm welcome to the new BSOM Class of 2026! We are excited to share with what our Global Health Scholars Program is all about. Come connect with us on our web page, Facebook, or Instagram.
Natalie Castillo, MS3, presented at the North American Refugee Health Conference (NARHC)! This international conference is recognized as a destination for healthcare and resettlement professionals working with refugee populations. 

Natalie was representing the project team working on and studying healthcare communication preferences for our local global patient populations. Other BSOM Global Health Scholars team members include: Christopher Evola MD (class of '22), Steven Repas MD (class of '22), Jacob Dickman MD (class of '22), Monica George MPH (MS4), Estelle Viaud-Murat (MS3) with faculty mentorship by Dr. Conway, Dr. Hershberger, and Dr. Crawford. 
Publication: Perceptions of the SARS-CoV2 pandemic: a small comparative survey analysis between language preference populations in a United States community health center, Pathogens and Global Health.

Poster presentation: COVID-19 Virus and Vaccine Education during New Refugee Onboarding: a Pilot Public Health Intervention.

All presentation from the US conferences are available on the "member only" portion of NARHC website. Become a member today!
Picture above: Dr. Conway, Natalie Castillo, Dr. TJ Klein (BSOM alum 2016)
People of Peru - Glasses Drive
Caroline Wong (MS2) is a great example of having an interest and passion in helping others from her work and dedication through her People of Peru - Glasses Drive.

Patients who came to the People of Peru clinics were grateful as many mentioned they had vision problems for years and haven't been able to purchase glasses since they are very expensive in Peru. Starting with 120 pairs, BSOM Global Scholars ran out by the end of the third day of clinics.
For Caroline, the trip was insightful and a lot of fun. She is hoping to help continue something similar next year when the future M1s go to Peru. This is what is looks like to take it to the next level of service and meaningful care!
Our Global Health Scholars had incredible travel opportunities this summer. Those who donate to our GHI Fund support these top-notch experiences! Click here to view more pictures from these global trips.
 
People of Peru Project - Iquitos, Peru
This team of Global Health Scholars enjoyed an exciting 10-day field experience in Peru under the leadership of BSOM alums Dr. Jonathan Stofer ('18) and Dr. Matt Yeager ('19). These students traveled to Iquitos, Peru to work with the People of Peru Project. Iquitos is in the Amazon region of Peru and is the largest city in the world that cannot be reached by road. It is only accessible by river and air. Our Global Health Scholars coordinated and supervised 3 to 4 clinics alongside PPP pharmacy and dentistry providers. In addition to supporting clinics, the BSOM team spend a day in the Amazon rainforest providing care to a small village. Our Global Health Scholars had an incredible time expanding their clinical knowledge and cultural competency. They are extremely appreciative of the GHSP and its donors for helping  pursue global health endeavors that allow these amazing opportunities.
Back row left to right: Matt Yeager, MD, Nicholas Kress (M2), and Jonathan Stofer, MD. Front row left to right: Riki Shenkar (M2), Caroline Wong (M2), Isabella Benintendi (M2), Akshima Dhiman (M2), and Tiffany Le (M4).
Cachamsi - Riobamba, Ecuador
This group of Global Health Scholars traveled to Ecuador through the Cachamsi program for two weeks. They rotated at hospitals and clinics to use their physical exam skills to help assess patients and collaborated with the Ecuadorian physicians to learn about their healthcare system. They also had the opportunity to provide vaccines to families in local neighborhoods. Through this experience, they also improved Spanish speaking skills by living with host families and participated in medical Spanish classes. This amazing program has hosted thousands of medical students, residents, and physicians. "It was a great experience because it challenged us to go beyond our comfort zone while learning about a new culture!" - Zachary Eardley
From left to right: Fatima Boumahchad (M2), Zachary Eardley (M2), and Ayyar Saipriya (M2)
The Luke Commissions (TLC) - Sidvokodvo, Eswatini
This trio of Global Health Scholars had an impactful field experience for 21 days at The Luke Commission (TLC) in Eswatini. Founders Dr. Harry VanderWal (BSOM class of '02) and Echo VanderWal have created essentially a self-sustainable medical campus that does so much more than just medicine. The passion, humility, and empathy with which TLC serves the people of Eswatini is truly inspiring. TLC’s commitment to serve, “Every Last One” along with their true partnership with the people of Eswatini to serve in ways that are guided and implemented by members of their own community is an exemplary model of what sustainable global health looks like. Our Global Scholars had the opportunity to spend time with nearly every department within TLC and learned about behind-the-scenes logistical work that goes into sustaining an organization that, on any given day, may serve more than 1,000 patients. They participated in vaccine outreaches, comprehensive medical outreaches, and rounded with the inpatient, outpatient, and surgical services. 

With a future in global health, this experience has been vital to the continued development of knowledge, experience, and passion. This trip would not have been possible without those who have donated to the Global Health Scholars Program.
Left to right: Carin Statt (M2), Matthew Huston (M2), and Daniel Boyes (M2)
Máximo Nivel - Antigua, Guatemala
This duo of Global Health Scholars traveled to Guatemala to volunteer with an organization called Máximo Nivel. Máximo offers several different volunteer opportunities, including healthcare, education, construction, and wildlife care. Our students were the only two healthcare volunteers in our host family, which consisted of five other students, so it was always fun to exchange stories at the dinner table about our days and the different experiences we were having. For two weeks, mornings were spent riding the “chicken bus” from Antigua to San Miguel Dueñas. There, they worked at Promam, a free clinic for the elderly “abuelitos” living in the community, where they organized Promam’s donated pharmaceutical supplies, took vitals, recorded patient data, accompanied the nurse on home visits throughout the community, and assisted with injections and catheter changes. On the last day at the clinic, our students organized large bags of fresh vegetables, non-perishable goods, distributed them to 30 families in the community. The experience with Máximo Nivel and Promam had our duo realize more fully the importance of empathy, active listening, and non-verbal skills in all of the patient interactions. Despite the obvious language barrier that existed between those who are proficient in Spanish and the patients who spoke zero English, they were still able to connect through a simple hug, shoulder squeeze of reassurance, and a shared smile. Our Global Health Scholars are truly grateful to have had such a valuable learning experience through the BSOM GHSP!
Left to right: Hannah Koechley (M2) Araam Abboud (M2).
St. Mary Parish - Jamaica
Our largest group of Global Health Scholars ventured to Jamaica under the leadership of Dr. Tom Herchline. The activities ranged from pop up clinics to house visits to picking guava in a field to spending the afternoon with local children as we went on scavenger hunts. A most memorable experience was on a house visit when we finished examining the kind spirit who welcomed us into her home. Our students were preparing to leave and she asked if she could pray with us. Her family began to sing and we were overcome with emotion at the realization of our impact in that moment. This trip to Jamaica was one that our Global Scholars prepared for and found out they were not ready for until they were immersed in the experience.
"Our trip to Jamaica not only solidified but reignited my resolve that I would spend my career serving globally." - Afryea Henderson
Back row left to right: Bria Williams (M2), Josh and Jessica Klepinger, Kelsey Hammer (M2), Malika Day (M2), Emma Schroeder (M2), Dr. Tom Herchline, Dr. Marylynn Herchline, and David Gallagher.
Front row left to right: Ellen Model (M2), Afryea Henderson (M2), Emilia Kalutskaya (M2), Najah Queenland (M2), Anu Haridhas (M2), Katherine Wilcher (M2), and Leo Gallagher.
 
GLOBAL HEALTH INITIATIVE 
MEDICAL STUDENT TRIP FUNDRAISER
Students involved in the Global Health Scholars Program participate in global travel twice during their medical school career. Travel costs can up upwards of $3,000. 
Your donation helps our students pursue their passion as global leaders.
By donating to the GHI Fund, donors provide funds to sponsor students in completing their international travel requirements. Please visit our website to learn more about our amazing students, stellar programs, and how to donate online!
Jonathan Stofer, MD, MPH - Class of 2018
Read more here about Dr. Stofer discussing how GH training at BSOM helps with his patient care now, what surprises him about being an attending physician, and advice he gives to BSOM students! 

Dr. Jonathan Stofer started his educational journey at Indian Wesleyan University where he majored in Pre-Medicine, Biology, Psychology, and Chemistry. He worked for a time as an EMT and as a laboratory technician at a LabCorp testing facility before attending both graduate school and medical school at WSU BSOM.

Dr. Stofer received his Master's in Public Health from WSU BSOM in 2014 with a concentration in Global Health and as a Delta Omega Public Health Honor Society inductee. During this program, he finished developing his Non-Profit organization call The Rural Amazonian Health Initiative to provide life-saving medical care to those living in rural regions of the Peruvian Amazon. He also published research about the Adverse Effects of Parasitic Infections on the Health of Rural Peruvian Inhabitants. Dr. Stofer then proceeded to medical school where he graduated as part of the Global Health Scholars Program. During medical school he was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society and received the Global Citizen Award. After medical school, Dr. Stofer completed his Family Medicine residency training and served as Chief Resident at Kettering Health Network's Soin Family Medicine Residency Program in Dayton, Ohio. While there, he received the Jessica Green Ambulatory Resident of the Year Award for his dedication and contribution to outpatient Family Medicine based on positive feedback from patient interactions, medical management, as well as team-focused relationships with other physicians and office staff.

Dr. Stofer is now working for Kettering Health Network doing both inpatient and outpatient medicine. He primarily works at Xenia Primary Care where he teaches rotating BSOM medical students and practices with his best friend from medical school and residency, Dr. Jerika Ortlieb (class of '18). He is also a part time faculty of the Soin Family Medicine Residency Program doing both inpatient and outpatient medicine. Dr. Stofer's primary areas of focus are global health, travel medicine, preventative health, chronic disease management, pediatric management/prevention, and LGBT care.

Dr. Stofer also has a passion for serving the underserved in Dayton. He volunteers at Good Neighbor House, an organization that provides medical services at free or affordable prices to fill the gaps for working individuals and families that have found themselves without medical insurance. Some of these patients happen to be underserved minorities, immigrants, and refugees. 
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