The Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Global Health Fair returned on December 6, following a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event, normally held every December in New Brunswick, features poster presentations by faculty, staff, and students who have engaged in global health related activities.
There were 23 posters from 25 presenters on diverse topics, including assistive reproductive technology as an intervention for falling birth rates in Japan, contrasting approaches to chronic pain management in Spain and the United States, culture and medicine in Thailand, food content on social media and adolescent diets, manifestations of chemical warfare agents on skin (a literature review), and HIV Testing Rates and Barriers Among South Asian Americans in Central New Jersey. The full list of posters is available on the medical school’s Office of Global Health website.
The event, which was co-sponsored by Rutgers Global, also featured keynote speaker Amy Murtha, dean of Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, with additional remarks from Karen W. Lin, associate dean of global health for the medical school, and Eric Garfunkel, vice president for global affairs, Rutgers Global.
“Since its launch in 2009, the Global Health Fair has been a popular and engaging event to explore study and research opportunities,” said Murtha in her remarks. The medical school dean also discussed upcoming developments that will have a positive impact on global health, including the new HELIX building being constructed in New Brunswick and the integration with New Jersey Medical School to become Rutgers School of Medicine in 2028.
The theme for the evening was “Global Health Heroes: Celebrating Faculty Champions.” Fourteen individuals were honored for their contributions to global health, locally and worldwide. They represent diverse fields of clinical care, education, research, and service, and their impact can be seen in communities both in New Jersey and around the globe. In addition, they dedicate countless hours to mentoring others who are considering careers in global health.
“Global Health Heroes not only excel in their respective fields but also are fostering generations of future global health leaders,” says Lin, who oversees the medical school’s Office of Global Health. “Their enthusiasm in mentoring students, residents, fellows, and faculty domestically and internationally is greatly appreciated.”
Angela Gitau, program manager in the medical school’s Office of Global Health and coordinator of the Global Health Fair, says the return of the event demonstrated “the unwavering dedication and resilience of our global health community,” adding, “As we plan future fairs, we look forward to including more Rutgers schools and further enriching our collaborative impact.”
The 2023 Global Health Heroes are:
Charletta Ayers, MD, MPH, associate professor and vice chair of clinical affairs for the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, and assistant dean for multicultural affairs, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Gloria Bachmann, MD, MMS, associate dean for women’s health and co-director of the Women’s Health Institute, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Javier Escobar, MD, MSc, professor emeritus of psychiatry and family medicine and the former associate dean of global health, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Sunanda Gaur, MD, professor of pediatrics and director of the Clinical Research Center, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Joseph S. Hanna, MD, PhD, FACS, associate professor of surgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and interim associate chief quality officer, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
Sabiha Hussain, MD, MPH, associate professor of medicine and director of the Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Hirohisa Ikegami, MD, associate professor of surgery and surgical director of the Cardiac Transplant and Ventricular Assist Device Program, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Karen W. Lin, MD, MS, FAAFP, professor of family medicine and community health, and associate dean of global health, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Abel E. Moreya, MD, FACP, FACC, emeritus professor of medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Gregory Peck, DO, MPH, FACS, associate professor of surgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and associate professor, School of Public Health
Babar K. Rao, MD, FAAD, professor of pathology and laboratory medicine, Center for Dermatology
Christina Rozario, MA, program coordinator, Rutgers School of Public Health
Mafudia A. Suaray, MD, MPH, associate professor of family medicine and community health
XiangBing D. Wang, MD, PhD, FACHE, professor of medicine
To learn more about this year’s Global Health Heroes, view these slides from the event.
Top photo by Conor Risi: Rutgers Global Health Institute core faculty members Karen Lin, Gloria Bachmann, and Javier Escobar were among the individuals honored as Global Health Heroes during the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Global Health Fair.
Watch the event video: