PARTNERS IN HEALTH- LIBERIA IIP: SUMMER Alison Herman, Class of 2019

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1 PARTNERS IN HEALTH- LIBERIA IIP: SUMMER 2017 Alison Herman, Class of 2019

2 Work Interviewed clinical staff, observed clinical work, and analyzed results to compile the inaugural annual review document to be used for internal purposes, fundraising, and drafting grant proposals. Supported the Family Health Division and Community Health Services Division at the GoL s Ministry of Health Drafted the National Community Health Volunteers Strategic Plan Edited maternal and neonatal death report forms Wrote press releases and staff profiles for PIH.org Researched and wrote a position paper advocating a health in all policies approach to the post-ebola recovery in Liberia Attended meetings for Global Fund, EU AWARE grant, and various MOH priorities

3 PIH COLLEAGUES, INCLUDING THE FOUNDER, PAUL FARMER. MONROVIA, LIBERIA, JUNE 2017.

4 Rewarding elements of the work Impact structural factors brings knowledge that many people beyond the current patients will benefit from the work. PIH pays attention to the psychosocial factors that impact health Socioeconomic support program Harper Woodshop MDRTB support group Constant mentorship, wherein my mentor sought to teach me at every opportunity. The opportunity to do an annual review allowed me to gain an inclusive, yet in-depth view of the work of PIH Liberia. Observing the passion and dedication of the Liberian doctors, nurses, and community health workers.

5 Health is a Human Right -PIH motto Pictured: Julius, a nurse at Pleebo Health Center, kneels to analyze a child s edema to assess for malnutrition. Coworkers and I stand outside the PIH house, where the motto is printed on the gate, before work.

6 My impact Annual review document will be used as a template for the reviews in years to come. It will aid in fundraising, program management/assessment, and grant writing. Staff profiles and press releases will be used for publicity and fundraising. Position paper will bring the research team more publications and hopefully impact the perspective of academics and policymakers and advocate for the importance of considering the social determinants of health during the post-ebola recovery period. Community health volunteers working draft and neonatal death monitoring form contributed to the Ministry of Health.

7 Traveling to the southeast, Maryland County, to observe the majority of PIH Liberia s clinical operations.

8 How PIH Liberia influenced my academic and career choices Increased desire to take GHP classes and attend related symposiums Generated interest in the possibility of an MD/MPH dual degree program Learned that I would prefer work on domestic policy rather than global health work Reaffirmed my interest in becoming a physician, while also demonstrating other worthwhile paths like becoming a physician s assistant (PA) or a nurse practitioner (NP).

9 PICTURES TAKEN FROM A TRIP TO THE ABANDONED DUCOR HOTEL MONROVIA, LIBERIA. JULY 2017.

10 Concluding remarks Cultural education Madame President by Helene Cooper provided an excellent digest of Liberian history, which gave me a foundation with which to generate questions and thoughtful discussions. The most valuable source of information for my personal and professional growth was my Liberian colleagues. I learned the true value of the interview! A changed mindset Monrovia and Harper, a town in Maryland County, especially has a much more relaxed attitude than Princeton. In Liberia, the statement ce que faut fait roughly translates to what you need will come to you in time. The notion that stress and self-imposed pressure is the only way to succeed was challenged repeatedly, to my benefit.