Tell us about yourself.
Panda: Although born in India, I've essentially lived in the United States since I was six months old, spending my formative years in Princeton, New Jersey and attending the Somerset County Academy for Health and Medical Sciences. My journey to Charlottesville began with a visit in 2020, when I instantly fell in love with the campus and the vibrant community here at UVA.

How did you get interested in working with the Doctors without Borders club at UVA?
Panda: I was involved in the Doctors Without Borders club in high school from my freshman year, eventually becoming the president of the chapter. I saw the Doctors Without Borders club at the activities fair in my first year and immediately became excited with the prospect of being involved with the organization again. I have always been drawn to global health, as someone interested in health and medicine but also health equity, international affairs, and humanitarianism. When I found out they were holding elections, I fervently applied for the position and have since worked my way up to being the current president.

What kind of work/events do you host through the organization? Give us an example.
Panda: This experience has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my time at UVA. The organization has hosted many events during my time on exec, the most notable being our bone marrow registry drive in conjunction with DKMS, and our annual global health opportunities fair where 15+ professors discuss the work they do and students are able to find places to get involved. I work very closely with the Center for Global Health Equity at UVA, and try to promote all the events held there within the club. One of our most notable initiatives is collaborating with CGHE to create a comprehensive online resource showcasing professors engaged in global health work and available scholarships. This resource serves as a vital hub for students seeking to engage in global health initiatives. The resource can be found here.

Have you participated in study abroad at UVA?
Panda: Last summer, I participated in the UVA in Cape Town Public Health program. This is a month-long program in which students participate in “field school” which is a combination of hands-on work with a local NGO, the Movement for Change and Social Justice (MCSJ) along with guest lecturers from other local campaigns. We got to work on some of their campaigns and do our projects. I even wrote a blog post here if interested, about a local group called Neighborhood Watch. https://www.igunya.org/post/spotlight-deon-makiti.

Engaging with local campaigns and contributing to projects deepened my understanding of global health disparities and the importance of grassroots initiatives. I loved being able to see how a movement gains momentum through community organizing, while they worked passionately on one of their campaigns for a new hospital for the region. I am so thankful for this experience and know that it profoundly impacted who I am as a student and advocate.

What would be your advice to other students at UVA interested in global topics?
Panda: For fellow students passionate about global issues, I urge you to immerse yourselves in experiential learning opportunities. Engage with clubs and organizations aligned with your interests, seek out study abroad programs, and actively participate in initiatives that promote global awareness and understanding. Embrace every opportunity to expand your perspective and make a tangible impact in the global community.

What are your plans after graduation?
Panda: I am graduating this year, in May of 2024 and have been accepted to the UVA Master’s in Public Health program at the School of Medicine, as a 3+1. So next fall I will begin my masters. Once I am done with my masters, I plan on taking a couple of gap years before applying to medical school. I am also seriously considering joining the peace corps following the completion of my masters, to further my commitment to serving underserved communities and promoting health equity on a global scale.I love spending time outside, going on trail runs, and doing yoga. I also recently began a job at the Brooks family YMCA as a swim instructor, because I love spending time with kids and getting involved in the community. My commitment to community engagement and holistic well-being fuels my endeavors both within and beyond the university.