Sam Peisch, Co-President
Graduation Year: 2013.5
Major: Political Science
Minor: Global Health, Psychology
Why I joined GlobeMed: As cliché as it may sound, helping people has been my passion ever since I’ve been a little kid. I’ve always felt it is my duty to put others about myself, and it has been my guiding principle throughout my life. I’m passionate about helping people because I feel like it is what I’m best at and what I enjoy doing the most. There is nothing that makes me happier than knowing I’ve made a positive impact in someone else’s life, and I’m willing to do everything I can to make other people happy and successful.
Accomplishments:
-U.S. Ambassador/Medical Volunteer for the Happy Africa Foundation (Zambian NGO)
-Co-founder of Nimala Futbol Academy (Zambian non-profit)
-Bentley Tomorrow 25 Time Winner
Career Aspirations: I hope to pursue an MPH degree and work for a foundation, non-profit or NGO working to improve healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa.
Rachel Madding, GROW Trip Coordinator & Global HealthU Co-Coordinator
Graduation Year: 2013
Major: Human Ecology (Joint Environmental Studies, Sociology and Anthropology Major)
Minors: Global Health and Spanish
Why I joined GlobeMed: GlobeMed means connecting dedicated, intelligent and driven students with grassroots health organizations to improve global health. It involves inspiring and educating members on the inequities of today’s global health. Personally, it gives me a path to focus my passion for serving others in a way that will have a lasting positive impact on the lives of those in Tororo, Uganda.
Accomplishments:
-Middlebury Women’s Varsity Soccer
-Mentor for Ticonderoga Middle School
-Dean’s List
-Maine Coast Semester 40 Class Agent (Alumni Liaison)
-Obstetrician/Gynecology Internship (April-May 2009)
-Women’s Soccer Sustainability Liaison (Midd Green Team)
-SERT (Student Emergency Response Team)
Career Aspirations: I hope to work abroad after I graduate for a couple years doing public health work. Eventually I would like to attend graduate school for public health. I am considering doing a post-baccalaureate pre-medical program if I decide that I want to go to medical school.
Owen Teach, Global HealthU Co-Coordinator
Graduation Year: 2013.5
Major: Environmental Studies: Policy focus
Why I joined GlobeMed: What really started my dedication to this organization was my decision to go to Uganda during the summer of 2010 to work with our partner organization, Africa-2000 Network in Tororo. I, along with five fellow members, travelled over there with about $2400 to dispense as we saw fit and little to no idea about what to expect. After just three weeks of work, we had made a significant impact in several community information centers as well as met great people and established a strong connection with our fellow Ugandan health workers. The amazing success that we achieved with relatively little money showed me the power of this organization’s message in action, and I hope to continue the success for years to come.
Accomplishments:
-Middlebury Campus Sports Staff Writer
-Gladiator Champion
Career Aspirations: It’s all a little up in the air at this point given I have only been at Middlebury for a little over a year, but I’m leaning towards trying to work in the environmental policy/business field, either with a government or private organization. While this does not connect right away with global health, I have learned through working with this organization that the term “global health” refers to just about anything having to do with bettering the human condition, and I believe working in the environmental field is a part of that.
Alexa Dessy, Campaign Co-Coordinator
Graduation Year: 2013
Major: Neuroscience
Minor: Spanish
Why I joined GlobeMed: GlobeMed has been my introduction into the field of public health and has provided me with the unique opportunity to learn about the discipline by actively participating in it and making an impact of the lives of others in need. The organization is dedication to long-term, sustainable and effective strategies. By adhering to this mission we can apply knowledge and insight in a purposeful and meaningful way to produce positive results. GlobeMed provides invaluable and irreplaceable experience that will complement my academic interests and education at Middlebury.
Accomplishments:
-Published article in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
-Internship with Comprehensive Neuroscience
-Certified in outdoor emergency care
-Editor of the Dalton high school yearbook
-Internship with the Public Design Commission of the City of New York
-Globalworks summer service trip to Spain
Career Aspirations: I hope to work in the health professions after I graduate. I am planning to spend a year working and/or traveling immediately after graduation, and then plan to attend medical school. I am not yet sure which medical field I want to focus in specifically.
Anoushka Sinha, Director of Communications
Graduation Year: 2013
Major: Joint Spanish and English
Minor: Biology
Why I joined GlobeMed: I certainly agree with the idea that health care is a universal human right, and I think it’s important to realize the impact each of us students can make in terms of educating and influencing our peers. The best way to foster health equity is to spread awareness of its necessity, and I am definitely interested in championing that cause.
Accomplishments:
-Winner of Houston Public Radio’s This I Believe Essay Competition
-Gold Key Winner, Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
-Outstanding Student Award for Law & Society, The Oxford Tradition
-This web site? :)
Career Aspirations: Following (stumbling, rather) in Chekhov’s footsteps, I hope to marry my interests in medicine and literature by pursuing a career as a physician-writer.
Katie Ruymann, Co-President
Graduation Year: 2011
Major: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
Why I joined GlobeMed: I love Middlebury...sometimes too much, for it is far too easy for me to get caught-up in the "Middlebury bubble." Engrossed in school and sports, I can lose sight of my place in the world. By my junior year, I was feeling unfulfilled. GlobeMed filled this void. Our weekly meetings serve as a constant reminder that there are many people in this world who do not have access to things I take for granted - food, water, access to healthcare. Not only do we learn about these inequities, but we try to alleviate them through our work with Africa 2,000 Network. I have always been interested in global health, and GlobeMed gave me the opportunity to express these passions outside of the classroom by using what I have learned to actually change the root causes of poor health. It is this hybrid of awareness and action that attracted me to GlobeMed.
Accomplishments:
- Middlebury Women's Varsity Soccer Captain
- Co-Chair of Relay For Life at Middlebury College
Career Aspirations: If there even is a plan, it is to go to medical school (fingers-crossed that I get in this summer) and pursue a career in global/women's health. Whether domestic or abroad, I want to provide medical care to those who need it the most and to use health as a means to improve the basic rights of women and children.
Phoebe Carver, Campaign Co-Coordinator
Graduation Year: 2013
Major: English
Minor: Global Health
Why I joined GlobeMed: I strongly believe that healthcare is a basic human right rather than a commodity and am proud to be part of a group of students who are trying to away at the enormous goal of global health equity. More specifically, I feel confident that improving the health of people who are living in poverty by partnering with grassroots organization is an effective means of change. GlobeMed's relative newness and student-based leadership provide for flexibility and innovation. Most importantly, GlobeMed allows me to learn more about the complicated nature of public health and try to make change with other students who share my passion.
Accomplishments:
-Monitor at the campus rock climbing wall
-Student liaison to the John Graham homeless shelter in Vergennes
-Never lost a limbo contest
Career Aspirations: I feel that when most people think about working towards global health equity, doctors and nurses come to mind. I would love to be involved and make change in the field outside of these parameters. I hope to have a career marked by world travel and, hopefully, positive world changes.
Genevieve Dukes, Director of Finance
Graduation Year: 2013
Major: Economics
Minor: Global Health and African Studies
Why I joined GlobeMed: GlobeMed represents a movement toward making global health equity a reality. On our campus, it’s an organization of fun, interesting people who devote a lot of time and energy to think about ways to promote health worldwide, in a variety of settings using a variety of resources and techniques. We spend time learning from each other, bouncing ideas off of each other, and developing strategies to best serve our grassroots partner organization in Uganda and raise awareness about global health among Middlebury students.
Accomplishments:
-Runner-up in 4th grade spelling bee
-Spent last summer doing global health research in Madagascar
-Drinking lots of flavored seltzer water
-Member of the MCAB Speakers Committee
-Wiffle ball team MVP
Career Aspirations: I would like to work in economic development and/or global health in the future. This may mean graduate school in economics, population studies, public health, epidemiology, health care finance, or development studies. Ultimately, I’m interested in an international career, specifically focused on Africa. I would love to work for the World Health Organization, the World Bank, the IMF, the U.S. State Department, Partners in Health or any number of development organizations. I haven’t entirely ruled out going to med school, but it’s on the back burner for now.
Devin Perkins, Director of Community Building
Graduation Year: 2013
Major: Environmental Studies Major Concentration in Conservation Biology
Minor: Global Health
Why I joined GlobeMed: GlobeMed is a student-run organization that provides students from schools across the country with the opportunity to have a direct connection with a NGO abroad. We conduct various fundraisers throughout the year and dedicate all our proceeds to implementing our projects during the GROW trip at the end of the year. Personally the chance to have a positive impact on a community I would otherwise not be able to reach is incredibly rewarding. The friends I have made through Globe Med are ones I might not have otherwise met. The student-run leadership of this organization is truly inspirational day in and day out.
Accomplishments:
-Middlebury Women’s Varsity Soccer Player
-Director of Mentoring Program (Ticonderoga Middle School)
-Chair of Ceremonies for Relay for Life
-UCSD Global Health Internship, Mozambique (June-August 2011)
-Veterinary Internship (June-August 2010)
-Volunteer at John Graham Shelter
Career Aspirations: After college I will ideally be able to dedicate a few years to working in public health abroad. I am considering veterinary school, graduate school for public health, or I may investigate opportunities that are involved with environmental conservation.
