|
R4WH Director of Education / National Team Rider
The Ohio State University College of Medicine
North Olmstead, OH
I’m guessing my 12-speed pink Schwinn is not going to cut it for the Ride. I’m ok with it. The Schwinn is already back in my hometown of North Olmsted, Ohio and will soon be replaced by a more “suitable” bike. Though I may not be an avid cyclist (yet), I have great enthusiasm for addressing both national and international health disparities as well as a tremendous sense of adventure.
My first international health experience occurred during my Freshman year at Ohio State when I decided to travel to Port-au-Prince, Haiti to volunteer in several children’s hospitals. I quickly found that Haiti’s children are deprived of education, adequate housing and frequently lack even the most rudimentary healthcare. I was, however, impressed by clinics that worked hard not only to provide urgent medical attention, but also focused on long-term solutions to the root causes of disease and suffering in a country that is plagued by TB, respiratory disease, diarrheal diseases and malnutrition, and pandemic HIV.
After graduating from Ohio State, I worked for Teach for America (TFA) helping low-income communities eliminate inequality in their schools. TFA continued to raise my awareness for public health concerns. The families of lower socioeconomic strata I worked with were not receiving adequate healthcare. Though I do not presume to understand the complexity of healthcare disparities, I do believe that everyone should have access to adequate medical care regardless of income, education level, race or ethnicity.
As a result, I am currently attending medical school at Ohio State. I continue to be involved with global health through the International Health Interest Group and volunteerism in clinics around the world. I am very excited to be the Education Chair for the 2010 R4WH team. 3,700 miles, here I come! |
