Pronouns: she, her, hers
What activities or experiences inform who you are in your role at HMS?
As a child of parents who are true nomads at heart, I grew up in many places and in diverse environments. This led to my work with refugee and disadvantaged communities in southwest Ohio and as the former U.S. ambassador of humanitarian affairs to the United Nations. I’ve learned over these past few years that health care does not yet protect everyone and that is why I want to be a physician.
Who or what motivates your work at HMS?
Being a teaching fellow at Harvard has been a transformative experience. My students have taught me more than I ever thought possible. Witnessing their growth and success has been truly inspiring.
Our discussions on disparities and the intersectionality of gender, race, and COVID have shown me the impact of policy and human behavior. Together, we explored how we can be at the frontline of the change we want.
What is your motto?
Be your unfiltered self and surround yourself with people that fill your heart.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I am the vice president of operations for SONA Global, a non-profit founded during my time at Harvard to expand production of a low-cost negative pressure wound therapy vacuum prototype that typically costs $30,000 in low-income countries. With this tech, we've responded to crises in Ukraine, Cameroon, Haiti, and we’re quickly expanding globally.
For this work, I was awarded the Harvard President’s Innovation Challenge $25,000 prize in Health and Life Sciences and the HMS Martin Prince Scholarship for Student Innovation.
What are you currently reading or, what is your favorite book of all time?
I love the book "All About Love" by Bell Hooks because it talks about love and relationships in the most expansive way and as a practice that requires intention, commitment, and hard work. A very close second is "Secrets of Divine Love" because it offers a fresh perspective on the nature of love and provides practical guidance for cultivating a more meaningful and fulfilling life.