MFP/ANA e-Newsletter: November 1, 2024

Each week a quote is shared for your consideration. Some quotes might offer comfort, hope, a challenge, a chuckle, or inspiration. You may or may not agree with the quote, but it is offered simply to help you reflect and ponder.

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MFP doctoral fellow, David Agor, took part in the Health Equity Seminar organized by MFP/ANA alumna and current chair of the MFP's National Advisory Board in Panama.

David writes:

"Thank you for the Minority Fellowship Program's financial support that enabled my participation in the International Health Equity & STEM Research Summit in Panama. I am writing to share the valuable outcomes and insights gained from this experience.

Key Learning Outcomes:

1. Health Disparities Understanding

· Gained deep insights into health inequality affecting Afro-Panamanian communities, particularly in Colón

· Learned about the intersection of structural inequality and health outcomes, with a specific focus on HIV and tuberculosis

· Enhanced understanding of the "triple pandemic": aging, metabolic syndrome, and structural inequality

2. Research Collaboration Development

· Established significant collaboration with CEVAXIN, a leading medical research center in Panama

· Connected with Dr. Rodrigo DeAntonio, Executive and Scientific Director of CEVAXIN

· Developed potential research partnerships for advancing nutritional psychiatry research

3. Professional Growth

· Observed and learned from Dr. Millender's impactful work in Panama

· Gained inspiration from seeing a nurse scientist successfully lead population health research with an equity focus

· Enhanced understanding of how to develop and implement population-level health initiatives

Impact on Career Development: The seminar provided invaluable exposure to international health equity research and strengthened my commitment to addressing health disparities. Witnessing Dr. Millender's work as a nurse scientist making substantial impacts at the population

level was particularly inspiring and has helped me envision new possibilities for my own research trajectory.

Knowledge Translation: The insights gained from this experience will directly inform my approach to:

· Developing culturally responsive health interventions

· Understanding structural determinants of health inequities

· Building international research collaborations

· Incorporating equity frameworks into research design

Future Applications: I plan to apply these learnings to:

· Develop research proposals addressing health disparities

· Foster international collaborations for health equity research

· Design culturally appropriate interventions for underserved populations

· Advance the field of nutritional psychiatry through an equity lens

Thank you again for making this enriching experience possible. The knowledge and connections gained will significantly influence my future work in advancing health equity and reducing disparities in healthcare."