Nadir Al-Saidi | Master of Science in Media, Medicine, and Health

In the evolving landscape of health care, the intersection of media and medicine plays an increasingly vital role in public health messaging. Harvard Medical School offers a new nine-month master’s program that provides a platform for students to explore the interplay between these fields. For current student Nadir Al-Saidi, the journey to the Master of Science in Media, Medicine, and Health program has been marked with a deep-rooted passion for storytelling.

While pursuing his undergraduate degree in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology with a pre-med track at the University of Michigan, Al-Saidi was drawn to journalism amid the COVID-19 pandemic. His involvement with The Michigan Daily, where he tackled critical issues surrounding misinformation and vaccines, ignited an interest in media and health care. Al-Saidi says, “When it came time to apply for master’s programs, it was either a Master of Fine Arts in Journalism or a Master’s in Public Health.”

As Al-Saidi looked for his next step, he came upon the Master of Science in Media, Medicine, and Health program—a discovery that felt tailor-made for his interests: “The program was a mixture. It felt like I could explore what I wanted to explore; that I could learn what I wanted to learn.” What intrigued Al-Saidi most was the program’s philosophy, which welcomes a blend of disciplines, allowing students to chart their paths and investigate diverse avenues within media, medicine, and public health.

Central to Al-Saidi’s journey is his capstone project—a book proposal for a memoir that discusses his personal experiences growing up as the son of a psychiatrist in a small rural town. Through a series of vignettes, Al-Saidi aims to examine the complexities of mental health within familial and community dynamics, shedding light on the often-overlooked rural mental health epidemic.

Now in his second semester, Al-Saidi says his classmates are the most surprising part of the experience. “This program wouldn’t be as amazing as it is without the cohort that we have…. I thought everyone was going to be mid-career. But it was just a perfect mixture: people who were trying to find new careers, people who were already solidified in their careers, and people right out of undergrad like me.”

Al-Saidi advises prospective Master of Science in Media, Medicine, and Health students to be intentional about their choices and electives. “As hard as it is, try to know as much as you can about what you want to do with this program before you start. That will give you the best opportunity to fine-tune your studies here.”

By embracing curiosity, students can maximize their learning experience and craft capstone projects that resonate with their passions. As Al-Saidi and his cohort navigate the intricacies of their capstone projects and coursework, they embody the spirit of innovation fostered by the Master of Science in Media, Medicine, and Health program. Their journey underscores the transformative power of storytelling in reshaping health narratives—a testament to the impact of interdisciplinary education.

Learn more about the Master of Science in Media, Medicine, and Health program.

Written by Bailey Merlin