Mistrust in research in health in some communities is so strong and historical. Researchers want to publish data on communities, but what is a community’s interest in science? Without building a network and a platform in the community, it’s hard to do any research–and discoveries have to go on to benefit the patients in our community.
Ensuring equitable access to safe, affordable, healthy food is something I fell in love with during college. It was at the heart of my volunteering and research, and the thing that launched me into the world of public health and the fight for health equity.
We want to make sure our community has access to care for substance use and mental health. We want to ensure we help guide them and coordinate care on things like housing, food access, transportation, employment, and education
One aspect of my work that brings me particular joy is the opportunity to engage with early stage investigators and see the progress they make on their research projects.
I would like for this community to have a strong understanding of how to get themselves from the consumer side of things to the director side of things–and for people to go from being an everyday resident to being a person who’s at the table contributing to decision-making in their environment.
My dad’s family escaped the Nazis in the late 1930s, so it was understood that sitting on the sidelines wasn’t ever going to be an option.