Event Details
In this session, you will hear firsthand from speakers who have completed international placements, research projects, and electives across the globe as they share their experiences, lessons learned, and insights into how global health issues are being addressed in different settings.
Objectives of This Session:
- To showcase real-world experiences in global health through the lens of learners.
- To explore how health disparities and global health challenges are addressed in diverse regions of the world.
- To foster knowledge exchange and discussion on the future of global health practices and research.
NOTE: Students enrolled in the Concentration in Global Health and Social Accountability will gain 2 points for attending upon submitting on Brightspace.
About Global Health Learning Network:
The Global Health Learning Network is a platform for knowledge growth and exchange with the goal to build a community of practice in global health that reaches across researchers, practitioners, and learners from all global health domains to include members of the public with an interest in global health.
The School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Bruyère Health, WHO Collaborating Centre for Knowledge Translation and Health Technology Assessment in Health Equity, and the International and Global Health Office (IGHO) are collaborating to host the global health learning network events.
About the Presentations and Speakers:
Moderator: Mahalekshmi CK
MPH policy candidate at the University of Ottawa
Mahalekshmi recently completed her Master of Public Health (MPH) at the Faculty of Medicine with a concentration in Policy in December 2024. She has been a part of the Global Health Concentration program since September 2023 and became a Global Health Ambassador in September 2024. Her favorite aspect of the concentration is the opportunity to network with global health leaders and gain valuable insights from their experiences during Global Health Learning Network sessions. Mahalekshmi also appreciates participating in interactive workshops such as The Empathy Project, which offers a firsthand immersive learning experience focused on understanding health inequities and the challenges individuals face within the Canadian healthcare system.
Jeremiah Acharibasam
PhD Candidate, SEPH, at the University of Ottawa
Jeremiah is a PhD candidate in Epidemiology at the University of Ottawa, where he explores the nexus of health data analytics, neglected tropical diseases, mental health, and disability within community health frameworks. His academic foundation in psychology, telemedicine, and community and population health sciences enables a comprehensive approach to global health challenges. Jeremiah’s thesis work centers on improving healthcare access for marginalized populations in Ghana, particularly those impacted by Neglected Tropical Diseases such as lymphatic filariasis. He champions the integration of mental health services into routine healthcare systems, advocating for holistic and accessible care. His research is aimed at influencing policy and cultivating inclusive practices that meet the complex needs of communities affected by NTDs and related disabilities.
Presentation: Bridging Gaps: Integrating Mental Health Services in NTD Care in Ghana
Shanika Thomas
Second-year MPH student at the University of Ottawa
Shanika is a second-year MPH student in the global health stream. As a midwife she has worked in sexual reproductive health and gender-based violence in New Zealand, Uganda and Bangladesh with MSF. She is currently working part-time in Northern Ontario.
Presentation: IGHO Student Practicum – Examining Global Health Partnerships in Tanzania
Keith Wong
Third-year medical student at the University of Ottawa
Keith is a third-year medical student at the University of Ottawa. During the summer after his second year, he completed two weeks of anesthesiology and two weeks of endocrinology at Taipei Medical University in Taiwan as part of the IFMSA-CFMS International Exchange Program.
Presentation: Let's Talk About Taipei!
Chelsea Zhang
Second-year medical student at the University of Ottawa
Chelsea Zhang is a second-year medical student at the University of Ottawa, having graduated with a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) from McMaster University. Chelsea is passionate about advocacy and addressing stigma in healthcare, particularly in relation to substance use. As part of her Community Service Learning (CSL) Placement, she collaborated with Ottawa Public Health and CAPSA on a project focused on improving healthcare interactions and fostering a more supportive approach to individuals affected by substance use. Through this initiative, Chelsea worked to implement Person-First Language and explore the impact of stigma on patient care, ultimately aiming to improve healthcare access and outcomes for individuals affected by substance use. Her work continues to inform her understanding of the importance of holistic, non-judgmental care in building trust with patients.