By developing programs that promote HIV prevention, tackle malnutrition, and combat air pollution, college students around the world aren’t waiting until they graduate to make a difference in their communities, and they are being recognized for their efforts. The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG®) and its Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER®) on Monday announced the recipients of the 2019 Student Projects for Health awards.
Now in its fifth year, the Student Projects for Health competition recognizes students who have made outstanding contributions through projects that promote community health and well-being. It is open to all undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in any course of study who have been participating in such projects. The competition is supported by FAIMER and by ECFMG through its GEMxsm program, which promotes global educational exchange in medicine and the health professions. Since the competition was launched in 2015, ECFMG/FAIMER has presented awards to 75 students from 22 countries.
“Promoting quality medical education and health care worldwide are core to the ECFMG/FAIMER mission,” said William W. Pinsky, MD, President and CEO of ECFMG and Board Chair of FAIMER. “The quality of this year’s projects and the engagement of these students in improving the health of their communities are truly inspiring. The recipients have demonstrated the innovation and diversity of efforts needed to meet global health care needs.”
From the 72 submissions received from around the globe, ECFMG/FAIMER selected 12 students from nine countries to receive this year’s awards. Submissions were reviewed by an international panel of 18 reviewers. They were judged on the quality of the project, degree and nature of the applicant’s participation, the applicant’s contribution to project innovation, the impact of the project, and diffusion and integration of the project.
The award recipients are invited to present their projects during the 2019 conference of The Network: Towards Unity for Health which will be held September 10-13 in Darwin, Australia. The award includes air travel, hotel accommodations, and conference registration fee.
The 2019 recipients are:
- Oscar Acopiado of Manila, Philippines, a medical student at the University of the Philippines Manila College of Medicine, for the project titled The Quisumbing-Escandor Film Festival for Health
- Samuel Robert Bunting of Chicago, Ill., a medical student at the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Sciences Chicago Medical School, for the project titled Interprofessional Collaboration to Increase PrEP Prescription for HIV-Prevention in Primary Care: A Student-Led Initiative
- Fabrice Humara of Kigali, Rwanda, a pharmacy student at the University of Rwanda College of Medicine & Health Sciences, for the project titled Pharmacy Students’ Engagement in Prison Inmates’ Health Attention to Tuberculosis Disease
- Hiba Eltayeb Mahgoub of Wad Madani, Sudan, a medical student at the University of Gezira, for the project titled Health Promotion Among School-Aged Children in Wadsrair El-Dar Village
- Lauren Yu-Lien Maldonado of Durham, N.C., and Los Angeles, Calif., a medical student at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, for the project titled Chamas for Change: An Integrated Maternal and Child Peer Support and Micro-Finance Model in Western Kenya
- Evode Mbabazi of Kigali, Rwanda, a medical student at the University of Rwanda College of Medicine & Health Sciences, for the project titled CINEMA Education for Health
- Yidnekachew Girma Mogessie of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a medical student at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, for the project titled Sexual Health Education for Better Awareness
- Husna Moola of Cape Town, South Africa, a medical student at the University of Cape Town, for the project titled Prevalence of Dysglycemia in a Population that Attends a Masjid in Cape Town and a Novel Approach to Community Epidemiology
- Julius Nuwagaba of Kampala, Uganda, a medical student at Makerere University School of Medicine, for the project titled She Decides Project
- Stephen Odiwuor Ochieng of Juja, Kenya, a medical student at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, for the project titled Early Childhood Development Center Malnutrition Program
- Nishimagizwe Patience of Kigali, Rwanda, a medical student at the University of Rwanda College of Medicine & Health Sciences, for the project titled CompanionApp
- Amitavikram Sattigeri of Delhi, India, a medical student at Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, for the project titled WindMe: The Electricity-Free Exhaust Fan for Combating Indoor Air Pollution in Indian Slums
