"We can make a difference... NOW."

On February 6, 2016 The Healers of Tomorrow visited the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Visitor Center to learn more about how public health and the non-clinical professions affect health. 

In the Voices gallery, the students were introduced to personal stories of change.  One Healer identified with a family for whom gaining access to education ultimately led to being able to live in a home with dignity. 

We then learned about a latrine for about 20 minutes!  The students were extremely engaged learning that having access to a toilet with a waste collection system can save more lives than any hospital by reducing diseases such as Rotavirus.  There is a vaccine for this disease available in the United States, but otherwise the disease can be deadly for kids.

In the next gallery, the Healers learned about the Foundation's work through interactive displays.  They were especially distraught learning about the amount of kids that are not prepared for college and how many struggle to pay for this opportunity as well.  They then brainstormed what solutions they would employ if they had their own charitable foundation.  

"My foundation would create a community where everyone is given the same opportunities to be successful." - Dureti Jamal

The next hall focused on the importance of partnerships.  They were able to see that contributions can vary in size but still cary impact, such as a $50 mini-grant to a local cycling club to more than a billion dollars donation to the United Negro College Fund.  

The last exhibit allowed time for innovation, inspiration and fun where they wrote out ideas of what they may want to pursue, expressed love in art, and learned what role in a global health project may fit best with their skills.  

A big thank you the the BMGF Visitor Center for an inspiring look into how one may affect health from a population standpoint.

- Dr Mustafa

Getting inspired is fun!