Why i am applying to the Johns Hopkins Global Health Leaders Conference

I grew up in a family plagued by poor health and genetic disorders, where I witnessed the untimely death of my young cousin and an uncle. These events prompted me to ponder on what could have been done to prevent such tragedies. I began to feel a sense of responsibility and an urgency to delve into the intricacies of health in search of answers to my questions. The answers, however, were never simple — what affects a single person is highly circumstantial and often dependent on environmental factors. During COVID-19, for example, my local community struggled to access medical supplies, while communities in other parts of the world struggled to find medical care. In the heightened moments of the pandemic, I started a non-profit called Send Me Supplies (SMS) where I was able to allocate and ship medical supplies to my local community at affordable prices. I took profits from my small venture and decided to participate in a trip to Guatemala a year later to help villagers build stoves in small village huts, which reduced carbon monoxide poisoning. We also installed water filters in these huts and set up a makeshift hospital for locals to access. Aside from my personal passion and endeavors with health, I aspire to learn more about the efforts of other curious individuals who share similar interests in global health. With hundreds of unique global health crises occurring, I am eager to broaden my horizons with Hopkins’ Global Health Leaders Conference. I am keen on learning from the experiences of fellow students, drawing inspiration from their diverse perspectives, and collaborating on important issues. Further, learning from professionals like Vivek Murthy and Sal Khan will not only be inherently fascinating, but also useful in my future aspirations in this profession. I am excited to attend the Global Health Leaders Conference, as I look to help make a meaningful impact on our globe, as we take one step forward into a positive future of infinite possibilities.