EHC 2019 Newsletter 1
June 18, 2019
Welcome Message from the Director
Greetings from San Francisco, and welcome again to the 2019 Exploring Health Care (EHC) Program! We are less than 6 weeks away from the start of your journey into the exciting world of comparative medicine. With that in mind, the staff team and I are working hard to create a challenging, culturally enriching, and unforgettable experience that will help you grow as medical students and future doctors. Over the course of two intensive weeks, you will deepen your knowledge about a variety of topics ranging from clinical English and organ transplantation to palliative care and mental health, among others!
Please carefully read the remainder of this newsletter. It contains important information to help you successfully prepare for joining the program in August. Between now and your arrival in San Francisco, you will receive several communications from our team, so don't forget to check your email regularly, including spam and junk folders!
We look forward to meeting you in person in the near future! Should you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me (lina@viaprograms.org) or any of the EHC 2019 team members below for help.
Sincerely,
Lina Yamashita, PhD
Medical Programs Director
Meet the EHC 2019 Team!
Dr. Tom Babayev, Faculty in Residence
Dr. Tamerlan Babayev is an Assistant Professor of the International University of Health and Welfare (IUHW) School of Medicine in Narita. He graduated from Imperial College London and undertook clinical training in general surgery in the United Kingdom. He moved to Japan in April 2017 to contribute to the unique medical English education program at IUHW where he teaches medical English, clinical history taking and examination skills. His sessions will cover clinical English, medical history taking and wider issues in medical professionalism through a series of interactive and collaborative exercises. His interests include meddical education, language learning, philosophy and spicy food.
“Becoming a doctor takes effort, passion, determination and of course a long time. Imagine how much better it can be if you enjoy the journey…”
Email: babayev@iuhw.ac.jp
Nicole Ludwig, Ed.D., Assistant Director
Nicole holds a doctorate in International and Multicultural Education with an emphasis in human rights from the University of San Francisco. Her dissertation research focused on female refugee experiences in the US. Previously she attended Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California and completed a MA in International Policy Studies. Nicole worked for several non profits over the years in the San Francisco Bay Area, such as the Commonwealth Club of California, where she managed programs for the Marin chapter. Nicole currently also works for Education First in Marin county, where she works with cultural exchange students and au pairs from Latin America, Europe and Asia.
In Nicole's free time she loves to spend her weekends with her two dogs Andrew and Benji and her husband, travel to different countries, and ski in the California sierras.
Email: nicole@viaprograms.org
Nora Kirsch, Fellow
Hey everyone! I’m Nora Kirsch, a recent graduate from Willamette University with a major in Spanish and minor in Asian Studies. I’m currently looking to develop a career incorporating my passion for international education and exchange of language and culture. As a freshman, I earned a research grant to study Romanesque churches in the north of Spain. I have studied and volunteered abroad in Quito, Ecuador and have worked as a Spanish and writing tutor. I am currently a translator for the HealthStart Foundation in Austin, Texas, which focuses on children’s health education. In my free time, I love taking and editing photos, learning languages, and hanging out with my dog. I am so excited to be a part of the EHC team and get to know and support all of the participants!
Email: nkirsch@willamette.edu
Kishori Koppu, Fellow
Kishori Koppu is a Doctor of Pharmacy currently living in Boston, Massachusetts. She has worked at Boston Children's Hospital for 3.5 years, participated in a diverse range of research projects, and has taught several seminar courses at her university. Her hobbies include researching pharmaceutical/ medical anthropology, reading autobiographies, and traveling. Her interest in global health stems from a diplomacy trip she made to Kyoto, Japan in 2017. Kishori represented her university at an international pharmacy conference in Kyoto; it was during this trip that she found her passion for understanding cultures and how they affect health policies, practice, and outcomes. She believes that immersing oneself in another culture and understanding other countries’ healthcare practices can eventually lead to the implementation of more balanced health systems worldwide
Email: kishori.koppu@gmail.com
Hajime Sakuma, Fellow
Hajime is a 4th year medical student at the Kobe University School of Medicine. He was raised in Tokyo before moving to Kobe to begin medical school. He participated in VIA’s EHC program in 2018, and is excited about working to enrich the experience of participants as a fellow and an alum as well. His aspiration is to be a comprehensive physician being capable of working globally. Besides what he is studying at the university, his interests include medical education, cross-cultural communication, nutrition, jogging, hiking and reading books.
Email: fmv.hajime1005@gmail.com
Krystal Smith, Fellow
Email: krysmith16@gmail.com
Join the EHC 2019 Canvas Course!
Introduce yourself on the Canvas Discussion Forum!
We have created a discussion forum on the EHC 2019 Canvas course. Please use this space to introduce yourselves and start getting to know each other.
Instructions:
Share 3 photos and introduce yourself to the rest of the participants. Make sure to comment and say hello to at least 3 others when they introduce themselves!