Celline Wijaya

Celline Wijaya, MBBS, MD
Jember, East Java, Indonsia
Class of 2024

By Bailey Merlin

Before joining the program, Celline Wijaya was a physician in Indonesia. Not long after starting her career, COVID-19 swept the world and changed her thoughts about healthcare delivery. As we chat, I learn that the loss of friends and family prompted the shift to public health. With a new fire in her heart, Celline started to search for a way to augment her education. In a sea of public health programs, she found the Global Health Delivery program.

Like many Global Health Delivery students, Celline’s view on health care has changed fundamentally. With a full fall semester under her belt, I sat down with her via Zoom to talk about classes, surprises, friends, and her upcoming thesis project in Jember, Indonesia.

BAM: What about the Global Health Delivery program stood out to you? 

CW: The field research. The other MPH programs only had capstone paper projects. With field research, you actually get to practice what you preach. Here, you learn about the theories and then actually implement them outside of the program right away, not after you graduate. That was interesting. And, of course, Paul Farmer. I was sad that I didn’t get to meet him because I watched Bending the Arc and knew about Partners In Health. When I learned that this program was established by him, it was like, “Yep, this is it.” 

BAM: When doing your graduate school research, what did you find the biggest difference between the MMSc and the MPH? 

CW: Aside from the field research and the fact that this program is longer. I’d say that the MPH is very common in Indonesia. We have a lot of MPH graduates and programs, but I only know of only one MMSc-GHD program. That was a strong point. It’s unique. There have been, I think, 3 Indonesians in the GHD program, one of whom has graduated so far. When I read the website [before joining], the sense that I got was that I would be a better fit because of the emphasis placed on low-resource and developing countries. The knowledge from this program is more relevant for me to implement in my country. 

BAM: You’ve been here for over 6 months now. Has anything surprised you so far? 

CW: How close [students] really are with our faculty. Joia [Mukherjee] is like a celebrity for me, and I get to see her, and she gets to teach class. And everyone knows everyone! I mean the students, we’re not just numbers or names. We know each other personally. The faculty, too. It makes me feel special...There are a lot of MPH graduates, a lot. But there are only a few MMSC-GHD students. 

BAM: I have always loved that about your cohorts Every global health delivery class feels so unified. As far as project goes, tell me about your thesis. What are you hoping to accomplish?  

CW: My thesis is about maternal health. I’m studying emergency obstetrical and neonatal care in Jember, Indonesia. It’s a small town in East Java. I was born and raised there, and Jember has the highest maternal mortality rate in East Java. The question arises: Why? Even though they already have a lot of international aid programs, maternal mortality is still high. So, my thesis is going to look into that more. Also, one thing that I love about this program is how they teach us to do things ethnographically and qualitatively. And so my thesis is gonna be my first qualitative research ever because in medical school, we are only taught the quantitative.  

BAM: That’s a very ambitious goal. Who’s your mentor?  

CW: Byron [Good]. I love Byron. We actually met before I came into the program. We met in Indonesia because he goes back and forth to Indonesia every year. And met Mary Jo [Good] as well. I even went scuba diving with Mary Jo, which was very fun. But now, Byron is my primary mentor. I think one of the most interesting things is this was not my initial thesis plan. I was planning to look at to look at the health-seeking behavior of women. I’m still trying to answer why maternal mortality is so high. Are women not coming to the clinics? Do they not know the danger signs of pregnancy that made them late in coming to the clinic?  

And after I told Byron that, do you know what he said? He said, “I don’t like your thesis topic.” (laughs) I said, “Why?” And tells me that we have to stop perpetrating the culture of blaming the patients. He said that, and it has stuck with me ever since because that’s not a perspective I have ever heard of or gotten from any of my lecturers back in Indonesia. And I think that perspective is very unique to this program and Paul Farmer. They don’t blame the patients. The research does not expect the patient to not come into the clinics. I mean, no one wants to die. No pregnant woman wants to die, so don’t look at why they’re not coming to the clinic. Byron told me to look at the system instead. 

BAM: I think that the program’s particular approach to care is unfortunately unique. Now that you’re learning a whole other philosophy on health, what do you hope? What do you hope to take back to your job after graduation? 

CW: So far, I have had a lot of changes in perspective, mostly in looking at patients because in Indonesia, in developing countries, and in medical school, we are taught that as providers of care, we are somehow above the patients. I see this in my friends in the way they treat patients. It’s more paternalistic. We assume the patients don’t know anything. For me, that’s quite unfortunate. On a more individual level, this program has taught me that lesson, as simple as it is.  

As a medical student, I would get patients who would come in and talk about their symptoms, and they would start telling their life stories. We were trained to actually tune out those life stories and just focus on the symptoms or keywords. But now, after being in this program for six months, I realize that we cannot actually turn out those life stories that that’s also important. That’s also part of the complaint. So, I think on a more individual level, that’s what’s going to change. I’m learning how to listen.  

BAM: Is there anything else you would like to share about your time here? 

CW: I love the program. I love the fact that we are unique. I love the fact that everyone is so close. I love the fact that the program respects us. If we give any input, there‘s an immediate change. I love my friends, love, love, love my friends. I feel like we all, though we are different ages from different countries, we fit in together. I feel like that’s like the well-done job of [faculty and staff] in curating the cohort. Now I have a lot of friends from a lot of different countries that I have never actually even known about before, and for me, that’s amazing. 

BAM: It warms my heart to hear that. My last question is: What advice do you give prospective students? 

CW: I think if you apply to this program, you have to have the right mindset. We were talking about the patient-centered approach that this program has and Paul Farmer and Partners In Health...The philosophy they teach here can be quite a surprise. As a provider and from my years of training in medical school, it’s a very different approach to what we were taught. For prospective students, you must understand that Global Health is a whole different philosophy.  

This interview has been edited and condensed.

First-Year Student Profile
Claudia Bejarano Zambrano, MD
Mexicali, Mexico
Class of 2024

By Bailey Merlin

Claudia Bejarano Zambrano breezes through the doors of 641 right on time for our interview. Wearing her signature black trousers, white shirt, cloud gray overcoat, and transition lens, she looks ready for Milan’s fashion week, not finals. Of course, all MMSc-GHD students are ready for finals; there’s no way out but through. Leading Claudia back into our interview room, she tells me how much she’s been reading and writing, all with a winning smile. Her enthusiasm and energy are both to be envied this time of year.

Together we settle into the study space on the first floor, affectionately known as the “Crash Pad,” and commiserate about workloads. Well, I complain, and Claudia tells me how excited she is to read another case study. Dynamos rarely tire, and Claudia is nothing if not a dynamo. I can’t wait to see what her master’s thesis on the barriers to sexual and reproductive health care that women face in Mexicali yields. Now that she’s ending her first semester at Harvard, it felt high time to check in about how things are going.

BAM: Before we get into anything, would you mind discussing what you did before joining the MMSc-GHD program? I know you’ve had a unique experience coming to medicine.

CBZ: Okay, so I wanted to be a lawyer first, but then I worked as a [medical] volunteer and decided to become a doctor. Since I was 16, I have worked with vulnerable communities in educational projects. Thought that I started to get involved with vulnerable populations and started to understand in some way the lifestyle and the needs of those people. When I got into medical school, somehow, I brought all [the lessons] that the community gave to me. I couldn’t split those two worlds. I was always thinking more about my patients. When you’re in medical school, you are trained...to care about the budget or the health system because they train you this way. But then you realize that the patient is supposed to be the [main] character of the story.  

When I ended my internship and social service, I applied to a residency in OGYN and was admitted. And when I was there, I realized all the violence against not only the patients but against the residents and the physicians. There was this cascade of violence coming from the government to the physicians and residents, then ended up in the worst part for the patients.  

I couldn’t handle it.  

I was sad. I was disappointed. I wrote a couple of letters to the director. I told her what was happening and that I couldn’t stay there because even when I wanted to think about my own [professional] future, I couldn’t go against what patients deserved.  

So I decided to apply to this program because when I read about this program, I was like, “Oh my gosh, this is what I really want. It’s related to my work in these communities, but I am now applying the health part. And someone is thinking about these problems in a formal way. It’s Harvard. Someone at Harvard is thinking about the most vulnerable population, and I thought that was amazing. And now I’m here. 

BAM: Was there anything in particular that you liked? Was there a class or a professor that caught your eye while looking at the program?  

CBZ: I think in the beginning, I was so lost. Of course, I read about Joia [Mukherkee] and Paul [Farmer]. I was like, these people are really in the community, and they know about it. They weren’t speaking from behind a desk. They were speaking from the field, working with people. So I said, “This is where I want to go.” 

BAM: And now that you have been here for four months, has anything surprised you? 

CBZ: It’s even better than I could have imagined. It’s not just about all the infrastructure. You have all the tools that you [could ever want]. The faculty here, too, are these amazing people who have been [working] in the community for so long and are willing to teach you. For example, there are 13 in my cohort, and we have this class when we have from 5 to 7 teachers for just one class at the same moment, and they are willing to share all their knowledge...They connect with you and inspire you, which is the most important part because when you’re inspired, you don’t stop. You keep going.  

BAM: Is there any class in particular that you’ve felt this? 

CBZ: Ethnography. I loved it. What’s funny is that I didn’t know what to expect from the class in the beginning. In some ways, I have been thinking about medicine using things from anthropology and ethnography without realizing it. I’ve always thought about health in the context of people’s lives. I was also trying to capture the story behind each patient, which is why I loved [Ethnography]. 

BAM: That’s a good reason to love it. What do you hope to accomplish in the future now that you know more and are tighter around your research project? 

CBZ: I wish to make an impact. I think there are a lot of studies that describe what’s happening around the world but aren’t actually doing anything. I would like to, of course, learn how to do mixed methods. But one of the things I love about this program is that we aren’t just thinking about numbers.  Yes, the quantitative part is so important for research. Still, the program teaches you about the qualitative side, which you start to think is the most important part. So you learn how to mix the two parts, and you have the best people teaching you. In answer to your question, I want to make an impact and keep doing this for the rest of my life.  

BAM: Where do you see yourself going after graduation in 2024? 

CBZ: That’s a tricky question. When I got here, the world expanded, so now I can think about many options. I would love to work in policy making. At that level, I think I can impact the world to improve the healthcare system. Maybe an NGO? But I would also love to stay in the field working with people. I think that’s the thing that keeps you moving like you. You also get inspiration there [because] you get to know what the real needs are from the people. They teach you a lot. It’s not that you’re going there to save the world, but they are the ones who know what they need.  

BAM: Do you see yourself working in Mexico primarily, or would you want to work for something like the World Health Organization? 

CBZ: I mean, it’s an option to return to my country. I would love to improve the healthcare system in my country. It’s a little harder because I have tried for many years. I have always felt like I was the one making people uncomfortable. Because I saw things that others that other couldn’t see. “Why are you complaining about injustice? There are many people [working] here, and they are not complaining. Just go with the flow and do as you’re supposed to.” Then I came here, and I got to speak to people. They speak the same language as I do, even though we don’t literally. You get encouraged in some way. People are fighting around the world for the same reason that you are, so keep doing it.  

BAM: I love interviewing students from [the MMSc-GHD] program because you all mention your classmates. How did your classmates surprise you? 

CDZ: From the very beginning, getting to know all these people with all these experiences around the world...to learn about them. All of them have a very impressive story. You learn from different experiences from different countries and things you couldn’t even imagine before, and you get ideas from all over the place. With all these differences, you find all these coincidences. And this biggest coincidence is that we are all here in the same moment in the same place. We are like family now. 

 BAM: Thank you. I always ask students the same final question, which is: What advice would you give to prospective applicants or people who are interested in this program?  

CDZ: Apply. Apply is my first piece of advice because I was so afraid and even ashamed about applying to the program. Because you always think that you’re not enough or that there must be more people capable of doing things than me. Then you got admitted, then you know that someone saw something special. I got something, and that’s not to feed your ego but to say that you can do something else for others. If someone saw something in me, I am capable.  

It’s more than apparent to me how capable Claudia is.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

Learn more about the Master of Medical Sciences in Global Health Delivery program and our website.

Janine Patricia Robredo, MD, MBA
Quezon City, Philippines
MMSc-GHD Class of 2024

By Bailey Merlin

Janine Robredo is polished in her stone-wash jeans, pristine white shoes, maroon shirt, and brown overcoat, the epitome of a Harvard student. Then she tells me how cold it is. I laugh as we settle into an empty room in the 641 Huntington office, telling her that it’s going to be a long winter. As someone also from a warm place, I want to tell Janine that, at some point, the winter stops feeling so cold, but I don’t because of two things: 1) I don’t think she’ll believe me, and 2) knowing that won’t warm her up now. Winters are harsh in Boston; fortunately, the Master of Medical Sciences in Global Health Delivery program is a friendly place to wait out the snow.

I like Janine. Gracious and warm, it’s no wonder she’s the executive director of Angat Buhay, an NGO in the Philippines that promotes ethical leadership, good health governance, and people empowerment through capacity-building and community development programs. Given her work with sectoral leaders and local governments across the country, Janine is the epitome of competence. But she also has a solid sense of humility. As a physician, she works hard to address health inequities among her patients and her community.

Given her impressive background, I felt compelled to hear more about her first six weeks in the Master of Medical Sciences in Global Health Delivery program.

BAM: I want to hear all about how it’s been going. How are you? How are classes?

JTR: It’s been great. I expected a lot of things from Harvard because it’s one of the greatest universities. When you get here, it’s overwhelming because you realize that there are so many resources. I expected to confine myself in my own program but seeing the flexibility to look at other universities and talk to other people there is really nice but overwhelming because you don’t know whom to go to. Everyone is an expert…At the end of the day, you’re really grateful. In other aspects, [the weather] got cold so early. I wasn’t prepared for that. If there’s anything I’m having difficulty with, it’s adjusting to the overall [temperature] of Boston. I hope it gets better.

BAM: That’s an interesting word. What does ‘better’ mean to you?

JTR: That’s a hard question. I think so many of us have been so deep into our work in our respective home countries that it’s good to get some fresh perspective. I thought I knew a lot about health and poverty, but then I met people from around the world who showed me that I don’t. It’s a humbling experience, but what I mean when I say “better” is actually getting out of [a mindset], meeting new people, and learning new things so that when you go back home, you bring these learnings and perspectives with you.

BAM: Have any classes broadened your perspective yet?

JTR: I really love Joia’s class (Joia Mukherjee is the MMSc-GHD Program Director and teaches a class in Global Health and Social Medicine). I hate Mondays, but I actually look forward to going to her class because of the feeling of everyone speaking the same language…People understand what you’re learning because everyone has similar experiences from back home, and you understand that lens when discussing things in class…You also feel like it’s such a safe space. I feel like I can discuss anything without fear of correction because I know [the faculty] mean the best for us…I get to speak my mind, even when I disagree because I come to a common understanding [with my classmates].

BAM: That all sounds great. I’m glad you’re finding that common understanding. Would you mind telling me why you wanted to join this program?

JTR: Global health wasn’t my first choice only because I didn’t know it existed. I was looking at other “more popular” programs, but then I met Nadeem [Kasmani, MD, MMSc ’19, a lecturer in the program]. He explained the whole belief system of the Global Health Delivery program [in which] you try to engage people to create interventions and policy. I realized that it was what I envisioned for myself and my community. I didn’t know what I wanted to do had a name. It was an accident, but I’m really happy I’m here because [the program] aligns with what I’m doing and with whom I hope to become when I fly back and become the practitioner and clinician I want to be.

BAM: How do you see the program impacting your job when you return to the Philippines?

JTR: Well, I’m a medical doctor from the Philippines, a place where people think that health is medicine instead of recognizing that medicine is just a part of health. I think it’s nice that I can articulate that [difference] here. I meet many people who feel the same way about it, and we try to exchange ideas on improving our everyday jobs. Just being able to see through the patient’s experience, journeying with them…when I say it, it sounds basic, but then it’s not as practiced. When you actually get to meet people who’ve experienced this as well, you get to learn best practices, what to do and not to do. Probably not everything you learn is applicable when you go back home, but you have the idea that you’re not afraid to experiment or advocate for the kind of care you want your patients to have because you know it’s being done elsewhere. So, I think one of the things the program has provided me is a refuge. You know you’re not alone. Few people do [global health], but you know that there are people who do it. When you have that realization, it gives you more courage to continue doing your work, gives you new ideas, and molds you further.

BAM: You mentioned that you had come to a better understanding of your research question. Would you share it with me?

JTR: Before coming here, I wanted [my thesis to have something to do] with local government boards. But after I got here, I was overwhelmed by the number of people I met and the knowledge I could gain, which made me reconsider what I wanted to do. I realized I was trying to force myself to study local health boards because it felt relevant, but then Joia and everyone else basically told me that no one can tell you what to pursue. Anything that will help your patient or community is relevant because it has an impact. I tried to reconsider and think about all the problems I’ve seen in the Philippines as a doctor and public health practitioner. And I realized that people are hungry in the Philippines. [Filipinos] don’t spend on medicine because their first priority is food. So, having that realization, I want to investigate malnutrition in the Philippines. I want to experiment with the social determinants of hunger and food insecurity. What structural and social injustices are people facing just to get food? I’m still trying to build on that research. I think I keep trying to change the focus area because there are so many resources. When you’re here, it feels like you can do anything. You’re free to explore, free to dig deeper into the areas that you feel strongly about, so that’s what confuses me now. But hopefully, with the help of everyone else, I will narrow it down.

BAM: If it makes you feel better, every student who comes through that door sits where you’re sitting and says, “I thought I wanted to study this, but actually, what I need to study is this.” Then they have to distill their question even more because you only really have five or six months to do any research. So now, given everything we’ve already talked about, how is the program already impacting your work life?

JTR: [The faculty] work to make you think harder about things you know and don’t know. What the program has done for me is…push me to talk about social determinants of health…I’m starting to reframe the way I communicate about medicine and global health…I wouldn’t say I’ve gained any expertise because it’s only been five weeks, but it gave me the space and courage to keep talking about [healthcare]. It feels like a support system that makes you reconsider certain belief systems…There’s space to learn and unlearn things. I think that reflection alone is helping me because then I’m able to check on myself and talk to other people with confidence. I look forward to learning more, but I’ve already seen that change.

BAM: Given that you sort of stumbled upon this program, I wonder: Who else do you want to join this program?

JTR: I learned I’m only the third Filipino in the program. I really wish more people had the opportunity to get a Harvard education. I know what [the MMSc-GHD program] is teaching us are things that resonate. Especially coming from a [resource-poor] country, the injustices we talk about in class are things we already experience, and I think that people should be in a space where they can talk about them. The problem right now, people back home are just accepting things as they are, even though we know we shouldn’t. People feel it takes too much to change the system or that they are alone in changing it. So, I hope that seeing the injustices in your practice as a doctor, nurse, clinician, whatever you may be…I think you should be able to talk about it without judgment. Personally, I’m trying to get more people…to get to know the program. When I heard about the program, I was interested and wanted to pursue it. I think it’s a matter of knowing what’s there and what’s not there. I hope more Filipinos join the program because [we discuss] things we’ve already seen, and coming here helps you learn and explore what you can do to fight these injustices when you fly back home. Anyone with a heart or that experience will fit nicely into the program and benefit from it.

BAM: I like that a lot. Is there anything else you would like to share before we sign off?

JTR: I had my hesitations coming into the program because it’s not so known, but I’m really happy I took my chance. The cohort I have right now, I couldn’t have asked for a better cohort. It’s nice to just bounce ideas off each other. If this gets to people, I hope they consider the program. I hope to find more allies because sometimes it feels like such a lonely fight. But knowing someone around the globe is fighting the same fight gives you the push you need [to succeed].

We are glad Janine and her colleagues have begun their journey in the program and look forward to learning more about their research and their perspectives. While the winters in Boston may be cold, MMSc-GHD students find a warm and welcoming home in the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine. We welcome applicants from around the world to apply to the MMSc-GHD program to immerse themselves in this global community, gain the skills they need to strengthen health systems, and broaden their perspectives.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

Learn more about the Master of Medical Sciences in Global Health Delivery program and our website.

Anahí Venzor Strader, MD
Cuauhtémoc, México
MMSc-GHD Class of 2023

Anahí Venzor Strader completed her medical training in Monterrey, México, before completing a year of social service as a general practitioner for agricultural migrant workers in Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua. Since 2011, she has been involved with a hospital in the Tarahumara mountains of Chihuahua that delivers free healthcare to Indigenous Rarámuri people in México. In 2016, she moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to attend a Pediatric Residency at Wake Forest University. In 2020, she moved to Boston to participate in a Global Pediatrics fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital where she was encouraged to take the Global Health Delivery Intensive program at the Harvard School of Public Health. After attending this course, she decided to continue her global health education and applied to the GHD program.

Why was getting a master’s degree important to you? 

I want to acquire skills that will allow me to advocate for a more equitable healthcare system. As I became aware of the power of scientific data to shape policy, I realized that gaining experience in quantitative and qualitative research methods would be essential to my goal. Additionally, I recognize the need for a more thorough understanding of how health systems function and how they are designed. Through Boston Children’s Global Health fellowship, I received encouragement and financial support to obtain a master’s degree, which strongly motivated me to pursue this program. The opportunity to study at an institution like Harvard was simultaneously daunting and exciting, one that I could not let go of. Lastly, I desire to broaden my view of global health by sharing learning experiences with the immensely diverse community here at Harvard.

Out of the many offerings at Harvard, why did you choose the MMSc-GHD program?

As I mentioned before, taking the Global Health Delivery Intensive course was transformative and inspiring. The cases we analyzed allowed me to understand how social forces are at the root of the health outcome disparities between social groups and left me with a desire to further my knowledge in this area. Through this course, I first heard about the role of anthropology in healthcare, and I was fascinated. The focus that the MMSc-GHD places on understanding the patient’s journey and using ethnographic approaches to research appealed to me because of how different it is from other academic programs. After finishing GHDI, I read Dr. Farmer’s “Fevers, Feuds, and Diamonds” and Dr. Mukherjee’s “Introduction to Global Health Delivery,” which illuminated the relevance of understanding the history and political economy of the site and health issue on which we are looking to have an impact. Another enticing factor was the quality of the faculty of the program, a cadre of accomplished scholars, passionate leaders, and inspiring advocates striving towards a preferential option for the poor in healthcare.

What about the MMSc-GHD program has surprised you the most so far? 

Our cohort’s immense cultural and professional diversity has been the first and most pleasant surprise. Every member’s previous experience and background enrich our conversations and boost collective learning. I am very grateful to be a part of this group. Another surprise has been the depth to which we have had to study our global health site’s history and political economy. The more I learn, the more I understand how different historical events have shaped the healthcare landscape for the people I will be working with, which is very rewarding.

What do you hope to accomplish in your research project? 

I will be doing research in collaboration with an NGO in Guatemala that provides community-based healthcare in Indigenous languages named “Wuqu’ Kawoq.” The main goal of this mixed-methods study is to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of caregiving and seeking healthcare for newborns in Maya Kaqchikel communities in Guatemala. I believe that amplifying the voices of Indigenous communities can guide the development of health initiatives that improve neonatal survival. Therefore, this project has a strong qualitative component. I hope this research will illuminate aspects of newborn health that Wuqu’ Kawoq can then use to improve or innovate their maternal and child health programs. Furthermore, I hope that this experience will empower me to do similar research in Chihuahua, Mexico.

What do you hope to take back to your job after graduation? 

I hope to gain the skills necessary to develop successful health initiatives and advocate for more just and equitable health policies, particularly for those most vulnerable. Additionally, I am convinced that learning among such diverse and accomplished individuals in my cohort will expand my view of global health and my role in this field. Forming an international network of individuals who share a passion for social justice and friendship with them is one of the most valuable gains from this program.

How is the program impacting your work life? 

I currently work as a pediatric hospitalist at Winchester Hospital and an Urgent Care provider at Boston Children’s Primary Care Clinic. It has certainly been challenging to keep up with classes, assignments, and clinical responsibilities, especially since hospitals have been so busy in the past few months. Overall, I have felt very supported by the program, and the situation has been manageable. Despite the long hours, the never-ending reading materials, and the sleepless nights, I remain enthusiastic and convinced that this is the right program for me. Even after only a few months of being in the program, I have witnessed how it has shaped the interactions I have with my patients since I am now more aware of how their social environment impacts their decision-making. A deeper understanding of the social forces that shape my patient’s health and well-being has helped me be a better clinician and advocate.

What advice would you give to prospective students? 

This program is for individuals who desire to tear down the barriers between those most vulnerable and their right to health. If you have any questions about the program details or whether it fits your professional goals, don’t hesitate to reach out. And lastly, do you have a research topic or question in mind? It’s never too early to start reading about that health problem’s history and political economy and your research site! 

written by Bailey Merlin / photo by Nadeem Kasmani

Edwin Mercado, MD
Manila, Philippines
MMSc-GHD Class of 2023

Edwin Mercado completed Orthopedic training at the University of the Philippines at the Philippine General Hospital. He has a Masters in Healthcare Administration degree from UNC-Chapel Hill. In the past 26 years, he led Mercado General Hospital to be one of the leading Philippine hospital networks by providing affordable, accessible, and appropriate care. He has published studies on bone grafts and fracture physiology but lately focused on business and financial models to comply with the Philippine Universal Healthcare Law, coordinating with the state-owned Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and local government units.

When he's not in the MMSc-GHD program, Edwin Mercado is the President and CEO of the Qualimed Health Network based in Manila in the Philippines. Qualimed is a private network of four hospitals, two surgery centers, five multi-specialty clinics, and around 80 corporate primary care clinics. That network also operates a school of Allied Medical Professionals and hosts the Newborn Screening Center of Southern Luzon.

As part of his master's thesis at HMS, Edwin plans to determine the stakeholders' understanding and acceptance of the Philippine Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Law. He plans to analyze the perspective of three main stakeholders: the patient, the provider (focusing on hospital management and doctors), and the payer/regulator in two geographic areas.

Why was getting a master’s degree important to you and your career?

The pandemic aggravated the already existing inequities and inefficiencies of the Global Health Delivery system.  Getting an MMSc-GHD degree will help me look at these problems through another set of lenses to help build a better, more responsive health delivery system moving forward.

Out of the many offerings at Harvard, why did you choose the MMSc-GHD program?

I did extensive research to determine what program would fit my objectives. I decided on the MMSc-GHD program to get first-hand on-the-ground perspective from cohort mates from various resource-poor countries. The cases discussed and areas of study are also relevant to what I want to learn related to the problems I experienced in the Philippines. There is no one size fits all solution, but the principles remain the same.

What about the MMSc-GHD program has surprised you the most so far?

The value everyone brings to the table is immense. The community of advocates gives me the inspiration and ideas on how to take on the very formidable task of helping roll out the Universal Health Care (UHC) program in the Philippines. The UHC platform can then be the foundation on which other programs can be built. The stimulating discussions with varied views points in class are helping me draw a roadmap of what else I need to do.

What do you hope to accomplish in your research project?

I hope to apply all the social theories of health and get a common understanding among the stakeholders on operationalizing an equitable and accessible Universal Health Care System in the Philippines.

What do you hope to take back to your community after graduation?

I hope to take back a better understanding of the determinants of health based on the historical and social medicine aspects of care delivery. I want to learn how to address these effectively and implement programs with the support of the stakeholders.

What advice would you give to prospective students?

I advise prospective students not to give up on the possibility of creating an equitable and accessible health delivery system. They should find the advocacy that will keep them striving to do more.

written by Bailey Merlin and Nadeem Kasmani

Danta Bien-Aimé, RN, BSN
Gonaives, Haiti
MMSc-GHD Class of 2020

When she's not in the MMSc-GHD program, Danta Bien-Aimé is the Clinic Director of a Cervical Cancer Prevention Clinic in Gonaives, Haiti. She is also a volunteer in mobile clinics and local associations in Haiti that deliver healthcare in Haiti’s countryside where access to healthcare is limited. Because of her aspiration to help under-served women in Haiti by addressing biological, social and economic factors associated with cervical cancer, she was awarded a Fulbright scholarship. The MMSc-GHD program sat down with Danta to find out more about her experience with the Fulbright Program.

Tell me a little bit about yourself and how your found out about the Fulbright scholarship for international student.

Born in northern Haiti, Gonaives, I always aspired to higher education, yet the education system in Haiti did not offer me too many options. In 2014, I graduated with my BSN degree. Then I started working in a pediatrics and surgical units in a hospital in Haiti, before going back to my hometown to serve a three-year term as director of a cervical cancer screening clinic implemented by the Women’s Global Cancer Alliance. This is where my desire to pursue a master’s degree got reinforced. It was fueled by a strong willingness to address the challenges I was confronted with daily at the clinic in Gonaives and to reverse the narrative of death resulting from cervical cancer, a preventable disease. I started looking for scholarship opportunities online, and that is how I discovered the Fulbright scholarship on Facebook.

What would you say you’ve enjoyed most about being a Fulbright scholar?

I am very humbled to be the recipient of the Fulbright scholarship, administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE) and the United States government. The Fulbright program is a life-changing experience for me. The most amazing aspect of Fulbright is the “unity through diversity.” Wherever we go and meet a Fulbrighter, we feel like we are family and behave that way. For example, [when I arrived to the States] I liked how some Fulbrighters were open to host other Fulbrighters in their house; even if they have never met before. I also enjoyed interacting with other scholars coming from all over the world, with different background, different cultures, different opinions, different languages, different religions. Because of the Fulbright program, my cultural awareness and my tolerance have increased. I see many things differently, and I am less judgmental on others.

On a personal level, the Fulbright program is also a social capital to its scholars. It is always a privilege to have one’s name associated with this prestigious scholarship. For me personally, as the first nurse of my generation in Haiti being selected for this scholarship, I enjoy the great opportunity to study abroad and I feel privileged to have this occasion to represent Haiti in the United States.

Another aspect of the program that I like is the great networking opportunity. Although I haven’t had the chance yet to participate in the big networking seminars organized every year by IIE for Fulbright scholars, I went to most of the events organized by the Fulbright Massachusetts chapter. The peer support is priceless.

What advice would you give to those hoping to become Fulbright scholars themselves?

Overall, the Fulbright program is a wonderful award. To any student who wants to apply for the scholarship, I would send my big encouragements. I advise any prospective applicant to take the application process seriously because it is worth it. I would recommend them to talk to Fulbright alumni who can guide them through the process. I would also recommend them to make sure that the program selected fit in their past experiences, their career goals as well as their passion. Finally, I would advise anyone who wants to apply for the Fulbright scholarship to make sure to fulfill the entire goal of the program, which is to promote cultural exchange, leadership and community engagement through international education.

How has Fulbright benefited your education in the Master of Medical Sciences in Global Health Delivery program?

As a student in MMSc-GHD program with a Fulbright scholarship, I am thrilled to currently conduct my research on the barriers and drivers of cervical cancer screening among women in Haiti. My immediate aim when I go back to my home country is to shift the cervical cancer programs towards a more comprehensive and equitable model for greater outcomes. I look forward to what the future holds for me.

Anika Heavener
Boston, MA
MMSc-GHD Class of 2021

Anika Heavener is one of a handful of MMSc-GHD students that has taken the program's part-time option that allows the program to be finished in 3 years instead of 2. Anika is the executive director of the enterprise data and digital health program (EDDH) at Partners HealthCare (MassGeneral Brigham). EDDH was started to knit together the wide variety of digital health projects across Partners and focus on two things: enabling new R&D-like innovations in digital health and scaling proven digital innovations across the system. Her thesis explores how collaborations are shaped between for-profit companies and state and local health communities for Alzheimer’s disease clinical trials in low- and middle-income countries. She hopes her work will begin to reveal how effective partnerships in clinical trials can contribute to health system capacity building for non-communicable diseases. The MMSc-GHD program reached out to Anika to learn more about what it's like to be a part-time student and a full-time leader in health care.

Why was getting a master’s degree important to you and your career? 

Prior to coming to Partners, I consulted for the UK Department of Health supporting the creation of the Dementia Discovery Fund. The UK government was the cornerstone investor in the fund, along with six pharmaceuticals and UK dementia non-profits. We stood up the fund in 18 months with over $120M in the first close of capital. It was a “ah-ha” moment for me to see the power of public and private institutions coming together to de-risk a critical global health need with a solution that had benefits to all stakeholders – patients, researchers, investors, etc. I came to the MMSc-GHD program looking for a community that would help give me the resources, understanding, experience, etc. to do more of these partnership models throughout my career. 

Out of the many offerings at Harvard, why did you choose the MMSc-GHD program? 

What attracted me to the MMSc-GHD program was, first and foremost, the rich history and expertise of our department. It’s unparalleled. I also appreciated the program’s flexible design, not only allowing me to go part-time but also to take classes across Harvard and engage with the broader Harvard community. To date, beyond HMS, I’ve taken classes at the HSPH, HKS, HGSE, and HLS. 

What about the MMSc-GHD program has surprised you the most? 

The diversity of experiences that each of my classmates contribute. They each have such unique and varied perspectives on the realities of healthcare around the world and what it takes to make healthcare equitable for all. They consistently challenge my ideas and solutions, pushing my thinking to be more expansive but also grounded.

What sort of challenges have you faced being a part-time student? 

There is a certain level of stamina required! There aren’t many days off but I love the hustle, and it requires me to be focused and committed to the things I do each day. More importantly, I’m only able to balance both work and school with the incredible support of my colleagues at Partners and the flexibility the MMSc-GHD program has offered me. 

How would you say your everyday work has been impacted by the program?  

I get to apply what I learn at Harvard immediately at work, and I get to share what I experience at work with my classmates. There are incredible and unexpected insights in blending my two (very different!) healthcare communities. While we approach care delivery with different needs, constraints, and expectations, at the core, there is an unwavering commitment to care for all. 

What advice would you give to prospective students? 

Think beyond what you aim to contribute to the program from your experience, perspectives, and interests and consider what you want the program to provide and equip you to do. The Harvard community is extensive and there is truly no limit to what you can learn and access – it’s an incredible privilege. How can MMSc-GHD enable you to create the greatest impact on global health? Your application should reflect the vision you see for yourself as a leader, advocate, and mentor in your health community and how you want to achieve it. 

If you're interested in learning more about the part-time option for the MMSc-GHD program, email us at mmscghd@hms.harvard.edu.