It’s All About Perspective: Negative Isn’t Necessarily “Bad”
This fellowship is as much about learning as it is about making an impact. For those of us struggling with the prospect of walking away from our year making less of an impact or having fewer deliverables than we expected, it is important to keep in mind those immense lessons we are learning. Even if […]
Do You Need a Degree in Medicine to Address Challenges Affecting Health Service Delivery?
When I was a little kid, I never imagined that someone other than a person who has been trained in medicine can help patients. I grew up thinking that only doctors were entirely responsible for making sure that patients are taken care of. As time passed I came to realize that I was totally wrong […]
Royal Inspiration
I was four years old and late as usual for my ballet class, hurrying down the steps of the Harbor Club, where the most affluent people of London would meet for their day’s exercise and post-workout cocktails. As I rushed down the steps, I saw before me a beautiful face I would recognize anywhere. Princess […]
Learning the Lingo
Part of integrating into a community is learning the language. Living in the central district of Uganda, Luganda is the local language. A big part of my time is spent working on health outreaches in the more neglected villages, and knowing some Luganda is essential to communicating with our clients. One afternoon, I was practicing […]
Dismantling the Myth of Hierarchies of Suffering
“The more they are suffering, then, the more natural their sufferings appear. Who wants to prevent the fishes in the sea from getting wet? It is terrible that human beings so easily put up with existing conditions, not only with the sufferings of strangers but also with their own. All those who have thought […]
4 Global Health Lessons to Survive Boston’s Winter
“Stay safe out there! I hear Mother Nature put you guys in the freezer.” I chuckled at my friend’s humor. I couldn’t think of a more spot-on description. I’m trapped in the house because of the much talked about “Boston blizzard.” It’s almost midnight, but outside everything looked eerily bright, illuminated by white, powdery dust […]
My Experience With Grief in Lusaka
When my colleague, whom I will identify as Mr. Phiri, comes into my office, people know it. He dresses better than everyone, he’s incredibly enthusiastic and dedicated to his job, and seems like he is always in three places at once. He gets things done, and he is highly respected for his intense work ethic. […]
I Love Chinatown!
As part of our job at Public Health Solutions, Caitlin and I have the chance to travel around the five boroughs of New York City. This way, we get to know the most different and picturesque neighborhoods, from Chinese/Korean Flushing to South American Corona, from Polish Ridgewood to Russian Coney Island, and from Orthodox Jewish […]
My Friend Tina*
I was thinking of what ode to infectious diseases and health I could write this time around. Instead, I’m going to write about my friend Tina*. I met Tina one evening while working at the Mulago Hospital site of the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI). She worked one of the evening cleaning shift. Whenever I saw […]