When I interviewed for med school, and they learned I was Director of this non-profit organization, there was some concern. How are you going to do this and go to med school? Twelve years ago, absolutely not! I would have to say goodbye to what I was doing, because it was just me. Now, the responsibility is spread out, and there are so many people that I really trust and are way better at doing what they're doing. Maybe they are not going to do it exactly how I would do it, but they're going to do it and it's going to be great. I’ve really embraced that. It's a group effort, and I feel part of something bigger than myself.
For me personally, [my work with Health Goes Global] reminds me why I'm doing what I'm doing, even when it's challenging. The feeling washes over me, rejuvenates me. I think those who choose to get involved would find immense sense of fulfillment with what they were able to accomplish in the sense of impacting others. It's so life changing, and why I keep doing it.
[With Health Goes Global] we have the opportunity to provide some sort of education or resource for their health and well being, which sometimes isn't always tangible in the day to day of being a physician. One big aspect I am hoping to get involved with is mental health, because there's such a need for awareness to prevent so many illnesses and actions down the line. In these moments, the people are so grateful, because it was something they didn't have, and now they do.
If alumni or students have ideas of something you can't do on your own, or you let the idea go because of how much money it would cost, this is the opportunity to really make something come of it. It can be in your own backyard and in your personal community, someone who's done international CME, traveling for work or even for leisure, and noticed a real need. That is the beauty of preventive health care, it's somewhat limitless, as long as there is a population in need.
If you want to get involved, connect with Hannah at [email protected]. If you don’t have time at present but want to still contribute in some way, you can help a current COM student by making a tax-exempt donation to Health Goes Global.
Meet Hannah Akre of Health Goes Global
Hannah Akre, COM ’23, Director and Founder of Health Goes Global