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Global Health Fellows

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Employing an interdisciplinary approach that extends beyond the classroom, Global Health Fellows study global health interventions, particularly in resource-limited settings such as Haiti and Belize, via case study analysis, in-country experience, independent research, international peer collaboration, and preprofessional internships.


 

Program Update

Global Health Fellows - Fall 2023

We kicked off the year with a dynamic discussion of our summer reading book, Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder, led by our talented 24s. We followed our book discussion with a viewing of the documentary Bending the Arc which tells the story of the creation of Partners in Health and the revolutionary impact of Dr. Paul Farmer on the field of Global Health. 

Global Health Fellows explored complex issues in healthcare as we gathered for academic discussions. Examples include: 

Case Study Presentation & Discussion: Preventing HIV and sexually transmitted   infections in Thailand 

Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report Review: Suspected Legionella Transmission from a Single Donor to Two Lung Transplant Recipients – Pennsylvania, May 2022 

Current Event Presentation & Discussions: Another Nipah outbreak in India: What do we know about this virus and how to stop it?,  and the Impact of the War in Gaza on Healthcare 

Additionally, the 2026 cohort spent time exploring the Global Health 101 curriculum, sustainable development goals, and how to evaluate global health proposals and solutions utilizing the six elements of success. 

Global Health Fellows were honored to welcome Heather Monnet as a guest speaker. Mrs. Monnet shared important insight from over 25 years of real-world experience in resource mobilization at the World Health Organization and provided an important perspective on the implementation of the global Polio Eradication Program with special consideration for gender-related challenges. She shared a practical view of Global Health Architecture, helping students gain a better understanding of the complex funding streams necessary to support global health initiatives across disparate member states of the World Health Organization. Students were excited to connect their previous academic exploration of the Polio Eradication Program in the classroom with Mrs. Monnet’s real-world work to support resource mobilization and address gender and political-related challenges to program implementation on the ground in challenging spaces such as Afghanistan. 

Global Health Fellows worked to develop a lasting partnership with the local non-profit, ForKids. The Global Health Fellows welcomed ForKids Chief Innovation Officer Bill Young to campus to kick off a brainstorming session for Fellows as they explored spaces where they can support the mission of ForKids with their time, talent, and creativity. Students learned from the Education Team, Communications Team, and Development Team at ForKids as they explored spaces to grow as engaged citizens of the Hampton Roads community. Students visited ForKids to volunteer and explore potential spaces for Student-led Projects on A Bell rotation days this fall. 

Global Health Fellows continued to push forward with student-led projects focused on: exploring sustainable agricultural solutions to address food insecurity in the field of Aquaponics, supporting the migrant farming communities on the Eastern Shore through the work of Dos Santos, providing emergency pantry needs through the construction of a Little Free Food Pantry on the Eastern Shore to support migrant farming families, and exploring spaces within our own Norfolk Academy community where we can implement mindfulness practices and support student mental health and wellbeing.  As students sought to engage with peers across fellows programs, collaboration bloomed in the form of cross-fellows' involvement in project work centered on sustainable environmental practices, support of the migrant farming community on the Eastern Shore, and aquaponics. Additionally, Global Health Fellows participated in a Case Competition with Global Affairs Fellows focused on addressing health disparities facing migrant farmers on the Eastern Shore, tapping into background knowledge from both GAF and GHF student involvement with Dos Santos. Cohort lead teams showcased creative and dynamic solutions to address access to care, transportation, and infrastructure challenges related to internet access and connectivity. Team proposals and presentations were evaluated on creativity, sustainability, organization, and monitoring and evaluation planning by an expert panel of judges that included Sean Wetmore, Esther Diskin, and Price Hall.  

Global Health Fellows plan to travel to Peru this summer to work with the partner organization, The Andean Alliance for Sustainable Development, with whom The Global Affairs Fellows Team has an established relationship. We look forward to collaborating with The Andean Alliance for Sustainable Development as we prepare for our joint trip with the Global Affairs Fellows Team this summer.