Congratulations to four of our global health scholars who have recently been accepted to a competitive program: Empress James - Ohio'sHealth Physician Diversity Scholar Program Afryea Henderson - BSOM's Masters of Pharmacology & Toxicology Program Najah Queenland - Ohio'sHealth Physician Diversity Scholar Program Brittany Hugue - United Health Foundation/National Medical Fellowship Diverse Scholars Program
We will tell you more about each of these scholars in an upcoming newsletter. For February, we will highlight Brittany.
Brittany Hugue, M2
The program Brittany was accepted to is the United Health Foundation/National Medical Fellowship Diverse Medical Scholars Program. This is a service-learning program that promotes health initiatives for underserved communities. After submitting her proposal, she was waitlisted as an alternate. After someone dropped out, she was contacted, and of course, she said "yes!"
What project did you submit to get the scholarship? I was already working with Rose Maxwell, PhD with research for the Healthy Start Program regionally and it was easily applicable to the requirements for the scholarship in regard to working with a community initiative for the underserved communities. The education and experience from global health gives me confidence to see that my research can be taken into different directions and to apply the principles I have learned.
What is your proposal? My proposal is to develop a framework based on the socio-ecological model that will improve breastfeeding rates to Black-identifying women in Dayton. Global health has taught me not to assume and to learn how to have cultural humility. It has opened my mind to how others survive. My goal is to have a health center that meets the community needs through breastfeeding, health, and total wellness. I want to collaborate with the community as a physician, supporter, and a facilitator in order to create a place for a mother to feel safe, to discuss challenges, and get the support she needs for herself, baby, and partner.
When were you awarded? I was awarded in January. I won’t receive full funding of this scholarship until I create my poster and present my research at the conference for this scholarship in June.
What’s the time frame in terms of project building? Since my presentation is in June, I am steadily building on it. Research can start small and grow. If it continues to progress and I can create a new research question, then I will be able to renew this scholarship. However, I plan on making this project longitudinal regardless of the scholarship because it is important work that directly effects a demographic that I am part of. I am very excited and grateful for the opportunity to connect with community members and leaders. Research is important and can also be discouraging. Having a solid mentor is key. Dr. Maxwell has been my guiding light.
How can other students learn more about how to apply for this opportunity if they are interested? I discovered this opportunity through scholarship emails sent out from BSOM's financial aid advisor, Michelle Feitchner. National Medical Fellowship, one of the organizations that sponsors the scholarship, also has annual scholarships listed on its website. I would strongly encourage others to apply because there are great opportunities out there!
The World Health Organization and UNICEF will be jointly releasing a landmark Primary health care monitoring framework and indicators. It is the first-ever globally normative and endorsed primary health care measurement and monitoring framework and the culmination of years of hard work and partnership. The launch will be streamed live on February 28th from 10 AM - 11 AM EST (interpretation in Spanish and French).
COVID-19 has escalated a historic need, opportunity and demand for health systems that protect everyone, crisis, or calm. A primary health care approach can help countries equitably maximize the level and distribution of health and well-being by focusing on people's needs and preferences (both as individuals and communities) as early as possible along the continuum of care.
More and better action on primary health care depends on more and better data. Leaders need to clear picture of where their health system is strong and weak to focus attention and resources where they are needed most. The Primary health care monitoring framework and indicators represents a pivotal turning point for primary health care measurement and a crucial opportunity to accelerate progress on a global scale.
The 2022 Hope Babette Tang Essay Contest
An opportunity for medical students to win prizes of up to $1,000 and publication in journal of professional nursing and academic medicine. Deadline March 14th! Essays are not to exceed 1,000 words.
Prompt by Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General: "Creating a connected life begins with the decision we make in our day-to-day lives. Do we choose to make time for people? Do we show up as our true selves? Do we seek out others with kindness, recognizing the power of service to bring us together? Learn more about the Hope Babette Tang essay contest. Visit www.gold-foundation.org to submit your essay!
Global Health Happenings
Thank you to the Muslim Student Association (MSA) and American Medical Student Association (AMSA) for hosting a tea party to raise money for the Afghanistan Refugee Crisis. A small cup of tea was sold for $1.00. Varieties included, but were not limited to, Indian Tea, Moroccan, Canadian maple tea, and milk tea. This great event raised $14, 869. These friends of our Global Health Initiative are doing wonderful things for global populations. Please visit the WSU Guardian article to view pictures of this inspired fundraiser. If you would like to donate, click this active link that is supporting the same cause.
COVID Conway Communications
I have the privilege of welcoming aboard additional team members to this publication and a renewed sense of purpose and passion for spreading GOOD information! Not only do we as an academic community need to keep ourselves well informed, we also need to be able to engage our community of family, friends, and patients on these topics in a way that invites meaningful dialogue and compassionate connection.
Current and archived editions of CCC can be viewed HERE.
2022 North American Refugee Health Conference
The NARHC is an annual 3-day conference for healthcare and resettlement professionals working in refugee and immigrant health. It will take place from June 23 - 25 at the Huntington Convention Center in Cleveland, Ohio.
Call for abstracts is now open and due March 1st! Read more here for abstract guidelines, criteria, tips, and how to submit an abstract. Society of Refugee Healthcare Providers members receive a $100 discount on the ticket cost. Registration is now open.
Rebecca Fujimura, M.D. - Class of 2019
What have you been up to since you graduated BSOM?
Since graduating from BSOM, I have been at Medstar / Georgetown - Washington Hospital Center Family Medicine Residency and am finishing up my last year. While here, I have been fortunate enough to be named chief resident of the global health track for Georgetown, where I help organize curriculum and travel experiences, although this has been limited by COVID. Luckily, I have been able to take part in a virtual experience with Child Family Health International, work on a committee for the Consortium of Universities for Global Health, and sit on the board for a wonderful organization (started by BSOM grads), Bridging Medical Gaps Collaboration! And in the upcoming future I will be doing a rotation with the AAFP Robert Graham Center as a visiting policy scholar, as well as a medical correspondent intern at ABC news. After graduating residency I will be heading to Contra Costa/ UCSF for a global health fellowship.
How did your GH training and experience help you in residency and beyond?
My global health training has greatly impacted my experience in residency and has shaped my entire career path. Having the training in medical school has made me a more holistic physician for my patients here in Washington, DC, and has inspired me to continue my training through the global health track in residency. And now I am headed to a Global Health fellowship at Contra Costa/ UCSF, where I will focus on primary care development through academics in Malawi.
What about your GH training at BSOM helps you with your patient care now?
There are so many aspects of GH training that help with patient care, no matter where you are in the world. It has helped me focus on social determinants of health and consider environmental factors for diagnoses and treatment. It also has led me to think of alternative and innovative ways to care for patients, especially in resource limited scenarios.
How are you planning to incorporate/continue/support your interest in GHI?
I will be continuing my training in a global health fellowship. After this I hope to expand global health training and primary care, particularly through academics. My hope is to focus on LMICs, and providing training in primary care as a means of expanding health care access around the world. Additionally, I wish to provide global health academic opportunities to those beyond HIC institutions.
What is something you miss about BSOM?
There were truly great friendships that I made at BSOM and I miss being able to see them on a daily basis. I also miss having the ability to travel for electives, as my current experience has been limited due to COVID.
What is something that has surprised you about being an attending physician?
Well, not quite there yet, but almost. I will say that medicine surprises me almost every day and I look forward to a career where I am constantly learning and growing with it.
What is a piece of advice you would give to current GH BSOM students today?
Take advantage of any and all opportunities. You never know where it will lead you. And don’t be afraid to veer from a “traditional” path. I have taken opportunities “outside” of my field and many of them have been the most rewarding. Physicians are needed in so many fields and in various capacities. Utilize your skills beyond the exam room.
In Remembrance of Paul Farmer, MD, PhD
The global health community has lost a shining light with the sudden death of Dr. Paul Farmer. Dr. Farmer will be remembered for his socially just and compassionate approach to global health medicine. He believed, "The idea that some lives matter less is the root of all that is wrong with the world." While a medical student at Harvard, he co-founded Partners In Health, nonprofit health care organization with a goal to bring the benefits of modern medical science to those most in need of them. "You have to look at what's happening to the patient in front of you and think about ways to address social disparities. If there's food security, then you provide food when you provide care. Or if patients drop out of treatment, you provide transportation to the clinic, or you send community health workers to the patient." His work, described in Tracy Kidder's Mountains Beyond Mountains, inspired many to enter the field of global health. Click here to read his obituary.
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Students involved in the Global Health Scholars Program participate in global travel twice during their medical school career. Travel costs can be upwards of $3,000 and many students require extra financial aid to make this possible.
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