I AM GPH

Latest Episodes:

EP126 The Nachan Project with Gina de la Chesnaye Jul 26, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, we speak with Gina de la Chesnaye, Founder and Director of The Nachan Project, an organization offering mindfulness-based practices for trauma and resiliency, psycho-social support, humanitarian aid, and public health advocacy to the women and children of the Karamojong tribe living in the slums of Kampala, Uganda. Gina graduated with her Master of Public Health degree in Global Health and shares her journey from studying literature and photography to working in the field of trauma and public health advocacy. We discuss the Nachan Project's origins and its work in addressing the complex and continuous traumatic stress and/or disorder experienced by the Karamojong people, one of the most marginalized populations in Uganda. We delve into the importance of mindfulness and trauma-informed care and how these practices can help promote resilience and healing in individuals who have experienced trauma. Gina also shares her experiences working on a community-based research project for public health needs in the Karamoja region. She plans to return to Uganda to continue her work.

Gina de la Chesnaye's website: https://www.ginadelachesnaye.com

The Nachan Project: https://www.thenachanproject.org

To learn more about the NYU School of Global Public Health, and how our innovative programs are training the next generation of public health leaders, visit http://www.publichealth.nyu.edu

EP125 Pathways into Quantitative Aging Research (PQAR) Program with Dr. Rebecca Betensky and Vardia Duterville Jun 21, 2023

Show notes

Are you interested in cutting-edge statistical methods for design and analysis of studies used in Public Health research? In this episode we speak with the people behind the Pathways into Quantitative Aging Research (PQAR) Program offered by the Department of Biostatistics at NYU GPH. We're joined by Dr. Rebecca Betensky, chair of the biostatistics department and program director, and Vardia Duterville, the program administrator for biostatistics and program coordinator for the PQAR program, to discuss the program's origins, offerings, success stories, and benefits. Through rigorous research and education, the PQAR program strives for excellence in innovative and groundbreaking methodological research that is relevant to critical Public Health research, collaborative research in pressing and important Public Health issues, and education and training of students from diverse backgrounds. Join us as we learn more about the program's evolution, ideal candidates, and how this program can serve as a model for other areas in academia.

EP124 Optimizing Public Health Interventions with Dr. Linda Collins Apr 05, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Linda Collins, Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Director of the Center for Advancement and Dissemination of Intervention Optimization (cadio). She shares her expertise in the new intervention optimization paradigm, which integrates ideas from several disparate fields to develop optimized interventions for unparalleled effectiveness and efficiency in public health.

We delve into the definition of interventions in public health and how human behavior influences the field. Professor Collins also shares various case studies showcasing the collaborative nature of public health across all disciplines, and we talk about the vital work happening at cadio.

On April 19, 2023, join NYU School of Global Public Health for an event titled "Intervention Optimization: GPH's Answer to the Public Health Challenge of Behavior Change" hosted by the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the Center for Advancement and Dissemination of Intervention Optimization (cadio). The hybrid event will occur from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm EST at 708 Broadway, Room 801, and online via Zoom, followed by open discussion and a reception. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn about cutting-edge approaches to public health interventions!

RSVP: bit.ly/3KB8taE

Center for Advancement and Dissemination of Intervention Optimization (cadio) website: https://cadio.org/

Dr. Linda Collins Bio: https://publichealth.nyu.edu/faculty/linda-collins

To learn more about the NYU School of Global Public Health, and how our innovative programs are training the next generation of public health leaders, visit http://www.publichealth.nyu.edu.

EP123 Nonprofit Leadership with Mentalla Ismail Mar 23, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, we speak with Mentalla Ismail, the founder and executive director of Refuge Collaborative. Her organization provides support and resources to refugees and immigrants in the United States by educating and advocating for their healthcare needs. Mentalla holds a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Biomedical Sciences, an MPH from the University of Cincinnati, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Public Health degree from NYU School of Global Public Health. Mentalla shares her personal story of how she developed her passion for helping refugees and immigrants and how she established and maintained a successful non-profit organization. She also talks about her experience giving a TED Talk about the importance of seeking refuge. If you're interested in starting a non-profit organization and want to understand the importance of leadership and perseverance in the public health sector, this podcast is a must-listen.

Mentalla's NGO: https://www.refugecollaborative.org

Mentalla's Ted Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXFaGr9BHeQ

To learn more about the NYU School of Global Public Health, and how our innovative programs are training the next generation of public health leaders, visit http://www.publichealth.nyu.edu.

EP121 Rebuilding a Resilient Ukraine with HealthRight's Dr. Theresa Castillo Feb 24, 2023

Show notes

In this episode we talk to Dr. Theresa Castillo, Chief Program Officer at HealthRight International, a non-profit partner of NYU GPH that has worked to improve critical public health systems in Ukraine since 2005. Even after Russia invaded Ukraine a year ago, HealthRight continued its HIV, mental health, violence prevention and maternal and child health programs in-country. But it has also had to pivot to key humanitarian services, creating mobile crisis teams to reunite families, arranging safe passage, managing supply chains and providing counseling. And though media interest in Ukraine's plight has ebbed and flowed, the need for donations to support resilience and rebuilding continues. Hear Dr. Castillo's compelling description of how HealthRight has helped more than a million people despite the ongoing war, including a new initiative to "care for the carers" -- the first responders -- and efforts to find opportunities for people to plan for the future.

For more information about HealthRight International and its programs visit http://www.healthright.org.

To learn more about the NYU School of Global Public Health, and how our innovative programs are training the next generation of public health leaders, visit http://www.publichealth.nyu.edu.

EP120 The Reality Behind Pharma with DeRonn Kidd Dec 21, 2022

Show notes

DeRonn Kidd received his Master of Public Health with a concentration in Community and International Health in 2014. He is currently serving as a Senior Manager at Aetna, a CVS Health company, the nation's largest healthcare company. Prior to that he worked on the Health Services Strategy and Innovation team at CVS. In his past roles, DeRonn has worked within Retail Pharmacy Strategy while focusing on new projects related to growth opportunities in pharmacy. His work entails responding to high-level business questions from senior executives, working on special projects, and ideating net new ideas.

In this episode, DeRonn debunks some common misconceptions about the contentious pharmaceutical sector. What is the truth behind all the speculations? DeRonn also explains how he went from having a BA in brain, behavior, and cognitive science to working in public health and ultimately earning an MBA. DeRonn created a public health path that is special to him thanks to his multifaceted experiences. This episode is jam-packed with information to help you understand the pharmaceutical industry and start your own public health journey.