Forum welcomes fellows for 2010-11

August 5, 2010 – Two students in McMaster’s Bachelor of Health Sciences program who each have a keen interest in learning to bring about creative solutions to healthcare delivery problems have been chosen as the McMaster Health Forum Fellows for 2010-11.

Theresa Tang, who is entering the fourth year of the B.H.Sc. program, and Ahmad AlKhatib, who is entering the program’s third year, were chosen from a field of 40 applicants for the $5,000 fellowship awards.

Theresa plans to use her experience with the Forum to build on her interest and experience in discovering and understanding unmet needs within the healthcare system, and engage in discussions on innovative ways to address healthcare challenges. In addition to volunteer work at McMaster University and in the community, she recently travelled to Morocco to volunteer in small villages where her efforts to support rural education ignited an interest in improving healthcare systems internationally.

Ahmad, who has had the opportunity to experience various cultures through living in four different countries, plans to enhance his understanding of international relations and world issues, particularly as they relate to solving global and regional health problems. As a Forum Fellow he will have the opportunity to participate in evidence synthesis and stakeholder dialogues to foster his interdisciplinary academic growth and knowledge towards developing creative solutions to healthcare dilemmas.

The Forum Fellowship program provides students with the chance to work with staff, faculty, and visiting scholars from around the world, and see how critical health challenges can be solved creatively. Fellows participate in a full range of Forum initiatives, including preparing evidence briefs, evaluating student-run dialogues, or helping plan a public event or stakeholder dialogue. In the final part of the year-long fellowship, they intern on the front lines of healthcare decision-making, working at such organizations as the Ontario and federal governments or the World Health Organization.

More information on the Forum Fellowship program can be found here.