Traveling from the bustling streets of New Delhi on tuk-tuks to rural Nandnagri, Shadara I arrived at the Leprosy Mission Hospital. Nervous but optimistic, I stepped into the undersized clinic, ignoring my mother’s warnings to avoid contacts with lepers. I locked eyes with a patient sitting by himself who later became known to me as Ahkil. Over the span of hours, I listened while Akhil recounted his disheartening story of being isolated in a leper colony for five years after his family abandoned him. After telling his story, Ahkil grasped my hand tightly and said, “Dhanyavaad mujhe ek vyakti ke roop mein dekhane ke lie” translated as, “Thank you for seeing me as a person”. In that moment, I realized I made the right decision to come to India.
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At BMC I could combine both of my interests, researching ways to improve the healthcare system while still maintaining contact with patients. At BMC, I learned that research and health policy are not separate entities. As a research assistant, I like to think of myself as an unsung hero of the healthcare industry. Research is a meaningful yet overlooked component of healthcare that has allowed me to make a substantive difference in patient’s health and welfare. For example, I am currently working on a project to improve the discharge process at BMC for patients with depressive- like symptoms. Working at BMC has sparked my interest in becoming a health policy analyst to translate scientific evidence into effective policies with a broader …show more content…
The rigorous curriculum will equip me with comprehensive knowledge and problem-solving skills to resolve complex health disparities in individual and community health. Furthermore, enrollment at Boston University will allow me to complete fieldwork in an area of interest. In addition to continuing working with underserved populations in the Greater Boston Area, I will be able to apply theory to practice while gaining critical skills that are directly transferable to a future job and career. Boston’s prime location will put me on the right path to research and innovation by allowing me to learn from and collaborate with faculty members toward an all-inclusive culture of health. Lastly, access to top research centers will further enrich my research skills that are needed to expand scientific knowledge in my future career as a Health Policy
At BMC I could combine both of my interests, researching ways to improve the healthcare system while still maintaining contact with patients. At BMC, I learned that research and health policy are not separate entities. As a research assistant, I like to think of myself as an unsung hero of the healthcare industry. Research is a meaningful yet overlooked component of healthcare that has allowed me to make a substantive difference in patient’s health and welfare. For example, I am currently working on a project to improve the discharge process at BMC for patients with depressive- like symptoms. Working at BMC has sparked my interest in becoming a health policy analyst to translate scientific evidence into effective policies with a broader …show more content…
The rigorous curriculum will equip me with comprehensive knowledge and problem-solving skills to resolve complex health disparities in individual and community health. Furthermore, enrollment at Boston University will allow me to complete fieldwork in an area of interest. In addition to continuing working with underserved populations in the Greater Boston Area, I will be able to apply theory to practice while gaining critical skills that are directly transferable to a future job and career. Boston’s prime location will put me on the right path to research and innovation by allowing me to learn from and collaborate with faculty members toward an all-inclusive culture of health. Lastly, access to top research centers will further enrich my research skills that are needed to expand scientific knowledge in my future career as a Health Policy