The Center for Health Equity is welcoming 10 students to this year’s Health Justice Scholars Program, a significant expansion that allows these emerging leaders to embark on impactful projects aimed at advancing health equity and justice.
“This academic year, we have expanded our program from five graduate level scholars to 10,” said Dara Méndez, associate director of the center for health equity and associate professor of epidemiology. “Our goal is to continue to support trainees in building their capacity as health justice scholars and practitioners. We are excited to see how they integrate health equity and justice in their work while helping to shape the future of the program and their fields of study.”
The Health Justice Scholars Program supports the development of Pitt Public Health students who have interests or projects in health equity and justice. This includes health equity research, policy and practice in areas such as chronic disease, violence prevention, maternal and infant health, mental health and interventions focused on Black, Latinx and communities of color.
Meet the 2024-2025 cohort as they share what the program means to them.
Alyssa Arreola: Human Genetics
“With this program’s investment, I can go beyond learning about the principles of health equity, and instead advance to learning how to apply health justice and equity into formulating research questions and performing analysis. This is important to me because public health genetics is an emerging field, and I hope to learn how to cultivate my voice to make an impact and be a leader of change."
Auti Johnson: Health Policy and Management
“This program offers an interdisciplinary network and structured learning opportunities that support my exploration of how health care delivery innovations and policy can address disparities and meet the diverse needs of communities.”
Delaney Kenyon: Health Policy and Management
“As an EMT who researches how we can best teach providers to be inclusive, compassionate and socially conscious – I plan to use the Health Justice Scholars Program to learn from my peers and mentors how to best dismantle systems of oppression in EMS from every facet. It's an honor to pursue justice in the city that is the birthplace of emergency medical services – Freedom House was the first-ever paramedic program, and it was built out of the creativity, ingenuity and strength of black men and a female physician to address the racialized and sub-par medical treatment in the Hill District. I can't wait to develop myself, my skills and my research through this program to unapologetically pursue justice in the place where it all began. “
Alexis Kiyanda: Environmental and Occupational Health
“The Health Justice Scholars Program will allow me to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to uplift marginalized communities through advocacy, community partnerships, outreach and research to advance health equity. As a future physician-scientist passionate about promoting environmental justice and improving Black maternal health, I am excited for the opportunity to expand my knowledge and gain experience in these fields as a Health Justice and Equity Scholar.
Haliyat Oshodi: Health Policy and Management
“The Health Justice Scholars Program will connect me with public health experts and peers, helping me learn new ideas to advance environmental justice in my career. It will also offer opportunities to collaborate with other scholars on health equity projects.”
Cindy Pan: Behavioral and Community Health Sciences
“The diversity of CHE faculty represents an invaluable mentorship opportunity to learn from researchers and scholars from underrepresented backgrounds who offer both the expertise and lived experience in conducting authentic and sustainable community-engaged research. I believe that the HJS Program can help reliably connect me with passionate community members around Pittsburgh, and beyond, whom I can potentially partner and establish future relationships with for the co-creation and co-development of research to advance health equity.”
Swetha Ramkumar: Health Policy and Management
"The Health Justice Scholars Program will provide me with invaluable resources and mentorship to develop innovative approaches that reframe healthcare as a fundamental human right rather than a business. This program will empower me to design and implement equitable healthcare initiatives that prioritize quality care for all."
Hannah Schwarz: Behavioral and Community Health Sciences
“My community-engaged research on adolescent experiences of chhaupadi—the cultural practice of menstrual seclusion in far-west Nepal—is fundamentally rooted in health equity. As a Health Justice Scholar, I aim to deepen my frameworks, skills and leadership to ensure that my work embodies health equity—not only in its focus and public health impact but also in how I partner with communities and conduct research.”
Sarah Siddiqui: Health Policy and Management
“I am really excited for the opportunity to learn from faculty mentors and my cohort in the Health Justice Scholars Program who share a passion for promoting health equity.”
Victoria Wyant: Health Policy and Management
"The Health Justice Scholars Program deeply resonates with my journey and passion for health equity, particularly in increasing access to affordable housing for veterans and underserved populations. I’m eager to collaborate with fellow scholars and engage in discussions that explore the intersection of health and social justice, believing that together we can make a meaningful impact on marginalized communities."
-Jackie Friedman Hathaway