Population and Global Health Case Competition
The inaugural student-led Population and Global Health Case Competition was held Jan. 31 to Feb.1, with eight teams competing to represent NEOMED at the Emory Morningside Global Health Case Competition or the Physicians for Human Rights National Student Conference. The event – which attracted the maximum number of participants — was sponsored by the Physicians for Human Rights chapter at NEOMED, in collaboration with the American Academy of Family Physicians - Family Medicine Interest Group, American Medical Association - Ohio State Medical Association Medical Students Section, and the NEOMED Global Health Interest Group.
President Dr. John Langell introduced the inaugural event with a welcome address, describing how global initiatives can help propel solutions at the local level to complex medical challenges and emphasizing the interconnected nature of innovation and problem solving.
Dr. Julie Aultman, dean of the NEOMED College of Graduate Studies, provided the case prompt, focusing on a complex patient scenario on infant mortality in the Ohio region. Competitors were challenged to develop a solution that not only addressed the individual patient's needs but also presented a comprehensive, evidence-based strategy to tackle infant mortality across the region.
Undergraduate, graduate and professional students were grouped into 4-5 person teams to address this critical global health care challenge in a competitive and collaborative environment. Students had 24 hours to present their comprehensive solution to a panel of faculty and community judges, and needed to work quickly to ensure their project proposal was feasible, supported by evidence, and fit a budget of $2.2 million.
Congratulations to the winners
This year's winners included the following students:
- First place: Team 7 – Arley Lutz (Youngstown State University), Justin Iwuagwu (M2), Cathy Tang (M1), Shivane Chawla (M1) and Noyonikaa Gupta (M1)
- Second place: Team 1 – Isabella Martinez (YSU), Dayna Nguyen (M2), Sri Krishna Gayatri Srinivasa (M1) and Varun Raja (MLHHS ’24)
- Third place: Team 5 – Ramah Kassis (Kent State University), Falasha Mahadevia (KSU), Sarah Kassis (M2), Hager Hamed (M1) and Fatemah Abed (M1)
Describing his competition experience, M1 student Huzafa Khanzada remarked, “It was an incredible opportunity to compete at a high level in the case competition, and help address real-world issues with evidence-based solutions and project proposals focused on alleviating systematic inequities in healthcare. I am deeply passionate about global and community health, especially OB/GYN care, and I was able to learn more about the impact of infant mortality in marginalized communities and how we as medical students can help contribute to solutions. I want to thank NEOMED and the PHR team for organizing such a great event!”
Thanks to the judges and organizers
The Physicians for Human Rights executive team, led by second-year medical students Henyah Dardir, Kate Kravets, Zarah Shah and Danielle Oh, and first-year medical students Christy Pitzer, Maya Ghoul and Sanat Subhash served as advisors for the event. Keira Berney (M2) also served as an advisor representing the Family Medicine Interest Group, and Sophie Tayade (M2) volunteered as a student advisor.
Contest judges who generously volunteered their time included Dr. Julie Aultman, Dr. Michael Forbes, chief academic officer at Akron Children’s Hospital, Dr. Samudragupta Bora, director of the Center of Health Services Research at University Hospitals, Dr. Marguerite Erme, assistant professor at NEOMED and previous medical director for Summit County Public Health, Dr. Amy Lee, program director for the Consortium of Eastern Ohio Public Health, and Dr. Leah Sheridan, associate dean of Medical Education at NEOMED. We extend a thank you to all our judges for their participation!
Thank you to NEOMED Free Clinic and the First-Generation Medical Professionals for connecting with students during our registration and pre-health resource tabling. Congratulations to all the students who participated, the PHR executive team, and our contest judges for their time and expertise in making this impactful community-focused event a resounding success!
Gallery
- submitted by Sanat Subhash, M1