Putting Grassroots Organizations at the Center of Global Health Innovation
Sarah Stern grew up in Tahlequah, Oklahoma and graduated from Columbia University in 2016. She held several leadership roles with GlobeMed at Columbia, and was a member of the 2014 GROW team. After graduating, she joined Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health as a Health Educator. Sarah is passionate about improving access to healthcare for underserved communities, and hopes to one day become a stronger tribal leader in Native American public health.
Introduce yourself — briefly e.g. your background. college & majors, interests
Growing up in the capital of the Cherokee Nation in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, I witnessed the overwhelming need for public health programs within my community and became interested in sustainable health initiatives at a young age. I obtained my honors Bachelors of Arts degree in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and a concentration in Native American Studies from Columbia University in 2016. My senior thesis analyzed how settler colonialism and systemic oppression in the United States and Canada are combatted by indigenous understandings of gender and sexuality and included a thorough explanation of Two-Spirit identity. Homophobia and transphobia decrease mental healthiness, especially in minority communities. Through my thesis I explored many of the historical ramifications that have led to the current state of Indian Country today. Many Native spaces are not accepting of their members, and in turn, the healthiness of a tribe is severely affected, as these members are as valuable as the heterosexual or cisgender individuals.
I am interested in how increased, accessible, inclusive Native American or Indigenous history will lead to a decrease in all health disparities, as well as an increase in acceptance of LGBTQ2 Native people. We’ve lost too many young, incredible Native people to suicide, hate crimes, and many other tragedies linked to homophobia and/or transphobia, and there is no time like the present to shift this discord and ensure that there is a future for Indigenous communities.
What initially drew you to GlobeMed? What was role in your chapter?
I came for the new experience, but stayed once I realized the values of partnership and sustainability are ingrained in everything GlobeMed does. GlobeMed gave me the building blocks to understand, critique, and value diverse perspectives in global health and social justice. My specialized courses in women’s health and the focus of our partner organization proved timely and helpful. I was able to apply my classroom knowledge in the real world. I wore many hats throughout my time with GlobeMed at Columbia University, including Director of Community Building, Director of Communications, Director of Grant Writing, and member of the 2014 Grassroots Onsite Work (GROW) team. I also led Partnership lessons after GROW to give my chapter a more in-depth understanding of our partnership. In the summer of 2015, I interned with the communications team at the GlobeMed Headquarters and helped with Leadership Institute. In 2016, I served as the LGBTQ caucus leader at GlobeMed’s Summit for GROW interns, chapter leaders, and grassroots partners.
What was your partner organization, and what were their goals? How did your university chapter contribute to these goals?
Gulu Women’s Economic Development and Globalization (GWED-G) has partnered with GlobeMed at Columbia University since 2008, and uses a grassroots approach to bolster and empower the local communities and people of northern Uganda. Their programs focus on increasing knowledge and awareness of HIV, training and building the capacity of the HIV healthcare workforce, and promoting maternal and newborn health by preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission. GWED-G’s philosophy is to treat the whole person — not just cure the illness. Their services include community education sessions, psychosocial support for those living with HIV, and income generation activities for HIV-positive mothers. Every year, GROW interns, the GlobeMed at Columbia executive board, and the HQ staff evaluate GWED-G’s progress on its goals, which helps inform the scope of work for our collaboration in future years. During our internship, I kept a blog to capture some of the work that we were doing in the ground in Uganda, including developing ‘mama kits’ and observing HIV screenings.
What are your thoughts on the importance of diversifying the global health workforce?
Diversifying the global health workforce is imperative to creating long-lasting, positive change. It is likely that white-centered voluntourism efforts will continue if the global health workforce doesn’t partner with local communities who know firsthand the health challenges they face and what it takes to solve them.
What is your understanding of the mission of Global Health Fellows Program-II (GHFP-II), and its partnership with GlobeMed?
GHFP-II aims to diversify the global health workforce by funding overseas internships for students of diverse backgrounds who are underrepresented in global health, and who may not have otherwise had access to on-the-ground experiences like GROW. While I did not receive a GROW grant, I still benefited from GHFP-II’s financial commitment. I’ve had the opportunity to engage with students from various backgrounds whose experiences and perspectives differ from my own, and also shared my own. Together and in different ways, we’ve applied the skills we gained through GlobeMed to become the best global health advocates possible. Diversity and inclusion are a must for sustainable growth in any field of work.
What skills and experiences did you gain through GROW?
I learned about the harmful effects of voluntourism or relief work that is not set in sustainable approaches. I also learned about the value of communication with those living in the communities you serve — especially if you are an outsider. I continue to gain meaningful experiences with GlobeMed, now, as an alumna. GlobeMed has produced alumni who work in medicine, health, business, tech, law, policy, and many other areas of global health. I hope to continue having critical conversations about global health, social justice, diversity, intersectionality, and contribute to making global health equity a reality for all. I believe that it is important to continue to give back to GlobeMed in any way you can, whether by participating in a network-wide event, or keeping in contact with the Headquarters or your chapter.
What do you do now?
In June 2016, I joined the behavioral health team at the Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health. As a Health Educator, I work closely with tribal communities to develop behavioral health curricula and advance public health programs in fields such as adolescent health, alcohol and drug abuse prevention, entrepreneurship, fitness, mental health and wellness, nutrition, and trauma-informed care.
I also serve as a board member of the non-profit organization alterNATIVE Education and am invested in advancing critical discussions on indigenous histories, decolonization, resiliency, and advancing higher education opportunities for tribal youth.
What insights from GlobeMed and the GROW experience are you applying to your work today?
Through the Center I am able to apply life experience, academic training, and the tools learned from GlobeMed to create sustainable behavioral health curriculum for individuals who have the worst health disparities in the country. Often, Native voices, opinions, thoughts, and wisdom are left out of major decisions regarding healthcare, education, land, and resources. Their voices are critical, but due to ramifications of colonialism and systemic oppression, Native people are not at the forefront of these discussions. Places like the Center ensure that partnerships with local communities create positive, long lasting change and allow Native and non-Native people to grow together in this uphill battle toward sovereign health accountability and healthcare services.
Any advice for prospective students pursuing this line of work?
Maintain relationships with professors, mentors, colleagues, etc. These relationships will open more doors for you in the future. Don’t make assumptions when talking to a local community member. They are the experts and you will learn far more by listening to their stories, experiences, and advice. If possible, take time to build up a transparent relationship and maintain this partnership. This will lead to better health care and continual understanding and knowledge sharing over time.
Originally published at https://www.globemed.org on April 12, 2018.
