Student Spotlight: Cameron Kelly
Cameron Kelly (C ‘21) is an undergraduate studying Biology of Global Health and Spanish
Tell us about your interest in global health. What inspired you to participate in the Conversations inGlobal Health course?
When I was in high school, I traveled to Belize and the Dominican Republic on short-term volunteering trips. While I initially found these trips fulfilling, my naivety shifted to a realization of the limited impact my week with children in an orphanage had on addressing long-standing inequities in the local communities. I began to research underlying factors of social and health barriers as well as sustainable practices for volunteering abroad, and thus my interest in global health was born. This course piqued my interest as I hoped it would serve as a catalyst for discerning my future position in the global health field.
Tell us about other global health events you may have participated in on-campus/in D.C.
On the recommendation of a friend, I attended one of the lectures through the Conversations inGlobal Health course in the spring of 2019, “Combating Epidemics in a New Global HealthLandscape” from Dr. Mark Dybul. The lecture solidified my desire to take the course this spring, and it reinforced the pivotal time we are experiencing in global health, with increased population movement and climate change precipitating the emergence of new diseases. For the rest of my time atGeorgetown, I hope to continue to use our prime location and connections on-campus and off-campus to engage with leaders in the global health field.
What activities are you involved in on campus?
I currently serve as Co-President of GlobeMed, a Center for Social Justice organization that strives to promote health equity through advocacy events and a long-term partnership with a grassroots organization. This past summer, I spent six weeks with our partner organization, Primeros Pasos, in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, learning first-hand the benefits of community-driven approaches towards addressing health inequities. Furthermore, I have worked for the past two years as a ResearchAssistant with Dr. Michael Plankey at the GU Medical Center for the Multicenter AIDS CohortStudy (MACS) and Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS), focusing on the syndemic impacts of aging while living with HIV.
What is your favorite part about being at Georgetown?
What sets Georgetown apart from other institutions is its global focus and emphasis on serving others.Without Georgetown’s support, I never would have directly enrolled at La Universidad de Salamancain Spain last semester, nor would I have received financial assistance to serve alongside Globe Med’s partner organization in Guatemala last summer. Their commitment to preparing students to address the challenges of a globalized world is unparalleled. Additionally, Georgetown’s Jesuit value of being“People for Others” is truly a tenet that guides the experiences of almost every student on campus and reflects our communal desire to build a more just world.
Tell us about your educational and professional aspirations.
After graduation, I plan on taking a gap-year (or two) to work in a social-justice minded organization such as AmeriCorps or Teach for America. From there, I aspire to pursue an MD/MPH in order to serve vulnerable populations as a physician with a mindset aligned towards sustainable and ethical practices. I am particularly interested in practicing in rural areas, either in the United States or abroad, to alleviate some of the lack of access to care for many traditionally underserved groups.