Global Health Institute

Tell us why are you interested in global health?

I became interested in global health during my gap year. During this year abroad I had the opportunity to study international development with fellow students in Guatemala, Thailand, Cambodia, Ghana and Morocco. We read Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, founder of Partners in Health; studied neglected tropical diseases; and shadowed nurses and midwives who gave us glimpses into the realities of health care across the globe.The challenges I observed in these countries, both similar to and different from those in the United States, instilled in me a desire to study health on a global scale and in a context much different from that I grew up in.

What are some global health events you have participated in on campus/in DC?

Last year I attended an event at Georgetown’s Medical School called “Outbreak: FRONTLINE Special” which consisted of a documentary screening and expert panel discussion on the 2014 Ebola outbreak. The documentary Outbreak was a first-hand look into how the Ebola outbreak began, which was then followed by a conversation with Dr. Lucey, a professor at Georgetown University Medical Center who had worked on the ground during the Ebola outbreak in both Sierra Leone and Liberia. It was incredible to hear him speak of his experience and inspiring to learn of the Exhibit on Epidemics he curated at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History following his return to the United States, which I visited earlier this year.

What activities are you involved with on campus?

On campus, I am involved in Delta Phi Epsilon Professional Foreign Service Sorority. Though this sorority I’ve had the opportunity to connect with other sisters who are passionate about pursuing careers with a global focus. This semester I was also chosen to be a Millennium Fellow through the Millennium Campus Network. As a Fellow, I’ve been working with the Edna Adan Hospital Foundation to help with fundraising efforts for the hospital in Somaliland, which works toward improving maternal and infant health outcomes, advocating against the practice of female genital mutilation and training the next generation of women to become midwives.

What is your favorite part about being at Georgetown?

What I love most about Georgetown is how much there is to do! Incredible speaker events, sporting events, theater performances and club and course options ensure I am constantly engaging with students and faculty in topics I’m interested in. I’ve also found Georgetown to be the ideal place to be as an undergraduate studying global health. Whether it’s taking advantage of events hosted by the Global Health Initiative or venturing into D.C. to find organizations aimed at improving health worldwide, I’m surrounded by professional opportunities in the field. 

Tell us about your educational and professional aspirations.

I am passionate about infectious diseases and, in the future, hope to become an epidemiologist. In 2022 I will graduate from Georgetown’s School of Nursing & Health Studies with a Bachelor of Science in Global Health. Once I graduate I hope to pursue a MSc Degree in Control of Infectious Diseases, which is an interdisciplinary field bridging epidemiology and public health. Following this I’d love to work for an international disease control agency like the CDC or a non-profit organization like Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance which works toward developing and implementing immunization programs in over fifty countries.