Disaster Reflection

During the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, International Relief Teams sent over individuals and aid to help the Puerto Ricans have a time to heal. From a food standpoint, the organization was able to donate two twenty food shipping container of canned food, one forty-foot shipping container of canned meats and fish, and three forty-foot shipping containers of drinking water. With many individuals wondering where their next meal would come from, these provisions were definitely an answer to prayer. Two thousand heavy duty tarps were also sent over as means of shelter, giving people a roof over their heads and a place safer than the street to sleep. One thousand one hundred disaster health kits were distributed in addition to further medical assistance in the area. The International Relief Teams organization was able to address serious immediate concerns that were going on in the community. Equipping these people with basic necessities gives them the energy to rebuild their live from the destructions from Hurricane

However, I have exceeded in medical experience training that is competitive compared to my peers. I have served as a Patient Experience & Diversity Specialist and an Emergency Department Volunteer at Cape Fear Valley Hospital; I am the current Undergraduate Clinic Coordinator for the Campbell University Community Care Clinic; and more recently, a Natural Disaster Support Volunteer for Hurricane Matthew victims in Lumberton, NC. All of these positions have required me to expose myself and engage with patients that originate from a wide variety of culture, life experiences, and differences in personality. Early exposure and repetition of certain practices in the medical field has allowed me to achieve qualifications that allow me to assist in Guatemala and the varied health conditions that I will

This past year, my co-site-leader and I planned and lead eighteen other students on a week-long, service-learning trip to Indianapolis focusing on the issue of public health. Our group served the community for forty hours through seven different organizations in the community ranging from Gleaners Food Bank to the Julian Center, a center for victims of domestic violence. Through reflection and service, the interconnected network of social injustices soon became apparent in our discussion of public health as a major social justice focus. Through our discussions, we realized that we are capable of extending ourselves into the local community and making a significant difference. For me, leadership is not solely measured by the immediate outcome or a visible change; leadership should help others realize the untapped potentials within themselves. This goal was achieved in our lengthy service reflections in

My personal experience gives me emotional strength and purpose to serve the vulnerable sections of society through pediatric health care. Growing up in a remote town in

Undoubtedly, the American Red Cross has done many wonders over the course of its existence. Whether it is providing relief from disasters, aiding the less fortunate nationally and internationally or saving lives with their blood program, the Red Cross has always been there to help the world become a safer place to live in. Most recently, this organization has had a strong impact in the recovery of “Superstorm” Sandy and Hurricane Isaac, providing food and water, multiple shelters for people that have lost their homes and even counseling during such a devastating time (“Top 20 Accomplishments”).

Every year, there are approximately 150,000 deaths and 200 million people affected by natural disasters and humanitarian crises (Thomas, 2003). Natural disasters alone, which include various occurrences, cause substantial disruptions such as the temporary displacement of more than five million people. According to the Fritz institute, statistics show that uprooted people from humanitarian crises such as civil conflict and war is greater, with an average of 13 million refugees and 20 million internally displaced people each year. As the biggest worldwide participants in the relief effort in the global community, disaster relief organizations are the forerunners of the help supplied to people affected by catastrophic events.

Serving these populations is much more than serving food but also considering each individual’s unique story in its entirety. Some may have a dark past, some suffer from addiction, and others lose faith. As a hospital volunteer, I also served patients by spending quality time and assisting their needs. By simply understanding their viewpoint, I influenced them to believe in hope for a greater future. I learned that to effectively provide care for others, it is necessary to consider all the small scenes that combine to produce each person’s story. Compassion and service toward my patients are the sole ingredients for effective

Over the past few months, I have been interning at the Berkshire County Kid’s Place in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The Berkshire County Kid’s Place is a Child Advocacy Center that addresses the needs of children who have witnessed violence or have been victims of violence. The Kid’s Place coordinates law enforcement, social service, medical, prosecutorial, and mental health agencies to ensure an effective response to childhood trauma. Interning at the Kids’ Place has been a great opportunity as I have joined a group mentoring group, attend the monthly Systems of Care Meetings of Berkshire County, privately work with individual clients in which I see every other week along with many other learning groups and opportunities. As of now I have a

After we came back, I thought about how fortunate I am right now. I respect and am proud of all the first responders, and the whole Canadian healthcare system for providing patients with the needed facilities. The presentations, the trauma and critical care unit visitation, the Lyndhurst visit have helped me to discover my interests, as well as has strengthened my desire to become a healthcare professional and to aid people. After my participation in the program, I feel the need to help others understand the seriousness of youth trauma and addictions. The P.A.R.T.Y program has been one of the best experiences in my

It is a great example of dedication and an exhibition of kindness for others; I feel that it is from my parents that I have learned how to exemplify it in my own life. My parents fled their homeland Nigeria to make a better life for themselves and in turn help their family. This has impacted me in that I hope to also selflessly serve and make improving the lives of others important to me. I have demonstrated this as a mentor in the University of Oklahoma Future Health Scientists Program, and through my involvement in student government, HOSA-Future Health Professionals, Key Club, and as a member of the Oklahoma City Youth Council. As a mentor, I help in the sustainment and empowerment of Oklahoma’s youth by teaching them concepts of science related to health which will in turn prepare them for their future career. Being a part of student government has allowed me to help organize Care Share and HEISMAN Week. During Care Share, I planned what items needed to be donated and delivered those items. During HEISMAN Week, I encouraged my peers to donate money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation by leading dares and other events. As a member of the Oklahoma City Youth Council, I attend council meetings and visit with government officials which has also allowed me to serve my peers for I am the connection between them and city officials. As a member of HOSA-Future Health Professionals and Key Club, I notify others of volunteering

The leader needs to instill urgency into the workers and volunteers of the ARC. Taking an organization that’s on its knees requires great cooperation, initiative, and willingness to make sacrifices from many people (Kotter, 2011). Based on the case study, the ARC lacks all these characteristics for change to occur. It needs to look how to improve its response times, how to become more efficient in collecting denotations and how to prioritize and quickly distribute the donations it receives in a fair and efficient manner. It needs to hold its leaders to a higher standard that will instill a culture of high moral standard in its employees and volunteers. Once the nation sees a change in the behavior of the ARC they will be more willing to give donations and their time to support disaster relief efforts.

When I first arrived at UC Davis as an undergraduate, I was unaware of what global health was. Although my interests aligned with health topics, such as disease prevention and improving health literacy, I did not explore any other graduate degrees besides an M.D. However, my career plans changed when I joined a public health advocacy group called RIVER (Recognizing Illnesses Very Early and Responding). RIVER prioritized educating underserved populations in Davis and the Greater Sacramento area about how essential preventive care is to one’s health. Through my participation in the organization as a board member, I learned more about preventive care and applied that knowledge by teaching underprivileged communities about how to make healthier lifestyle changes through exercise and nutrition. This organization’s

During high school, I was actively involved in my local AHEC, which offered a program for high school students in the area to learn more about the health field through various camps and programs. One of the programs that I attended was at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the focus of the program was to expose first generation college students to the various allied health programs at UNC. Throughout the program professors and admission representatives from various departments gave a short presentation to the attendees, but the presentation from the Gillings School of Global Public Health was the one that resonated with me the most. That day I was introduced to a

In spring of 2016, my youth group and I began planning a trip to a neighboring city. This wasn’t just any trip however, we were going on a mission. Each of us there were bound and determined to

Every emergency or disaster, from a small house fire to a hurricane that devastates entire communities, have a distinct cycle. This is