GWSOM Secondary Flashcards
Why are you interested in the regional medical campus?
The regional medical campus in Baltimore offers the opportunity to complete clinical training in a demographically diverse city where immigrants make up a large percentage. I have volunteered in Baltimore City through both outpatient clinics and an inpatient unit which has allowed me to gain insight into some of the barriers to healthcare that communities face such as financial insecurity, language differences, and lack of transportation. Through my medical training at Sinai, I will continue working with immigrant and refugee populations, as well as leverage my Russian and Spanish language skills to provide culturally competent care. As a future physician, I aim to cultivate a comprehensive understanding of medicine, so that I can practice holistically, and most importantly communicate effectively with patients of diverse backgrounds. The focus on population health at the RMC will allow me to learn about how factors in the communities prevalent in Baltimore influence health outcomes and prepare me to work in an urban city after residency training. Since going through motherhood at a young age, I realized the dire need for community behavioral health (BH) services such as the Perinatal Depression Outreach Program at Sinai. Specialized behavioral health care during pregnancy and postpartum has generally been overlooked in maternal care services nationwide, with the primary focus being on physical health. Therefore, participation in this program will allow me to work with new and soon-to-be mothers to understand their unique challenges. In the future, I hope to influence health policy to provide accessible BH services for women, especially in immigrant communities, through increased funding and promotion.
The MD Program includes substantial content in Clinical Public Health (population health, health systems science, health policy, and community health) to prepare GW graduates for an expanded scope of practice required to be successful 21st-century physicians. What are your specific interests and experiences related to that aspect of the MD Program?
At the Esperanza Center, I have gained insight into how social determinants impact health on an individual and community level. Building on my experience in behavioral health volunteering, I am eager to learn how to influence policies that will improve access to and affordability of mental health services for undocumented immigrants and refugees.
What makes you a unique individual? What challenges have you faced? What have you learned from your experiences?
After immigrating to the U.S., my mom worked as a lunch lady while my dad repaired factory machines. As a child, I was an interpreter for my family, helping them navigate the healthcare system amongst other aspects while taking ESOL classes in school to improve my English. I have seen my parents and many in my community struggle with language barriers and lack of a support network, leading to low-wage jobs to make ends meet. Through my work at the Esperanza Center, I have realized the need for more equitable healthcare resources for undocumented immigrants. This starts with having physicians who understand these hardships and truly care to improve equitable health for immigrant communities in their own practice and through health policy.
What is your specific interest in the MD Program at GW? What opportunities would you take advantage of as a student here?
While volunteering at a behavioral health unit in Baltimore City, I learned the importance of considering factors such as socioeconomic status, access to support systems, family dynamics, and cultural norms in the initial assessment of a patient. Although each patient I spoke with had their own perception and presentation of illness, social determinants had influenced their health and behavior in some way. GW’s unique curriculum offers a scholarly track that will allow me to better understand community health in urban populations which I intend to continue working with in the future. Through community-based initiatives such as ESL teaching and distributing fresh produce, I have recognized the need for such programs that help immigrants to get on their feet and work for a better future. I am eager to join SALUD to further develop my medical Spanish skills and work with the Latino community in DC. Participation in another community initiative, the GW Healing Clinic, will allow me to continue working with underserved populations and further pursue my interest in behavioral health. Additionally, GW’s PPS curriculum allows integration of health policy throughout all four years which will aid me in understanding how to influence policy for equitable care. Volunteering at the Esperanza Center clinic has shed light on the need for more resources, staff, and funding to be able to provide healthcare for many undocumented immigrants and refugees in Baltimore and across the nation. GW will provide me with comprehensive medical training and knowledge in health policy to advocate for immigrants and underserved populations in the future to increase access to behavioral health services.
