VP Global Health - Candidates​

Ghazal Jessani

BIO
 
I'm Ghazal Jessani (she/her), and am running for VP Global Health!
 
I graduated from Harvard with a Master's in Human Development and Psychology. I completed my undergraduate studies from UofT, with majors in Psychology & Genetics and minors in Mental Health & English. I have always enjoyed engaging in research; in fact, my interest in global health piqued while researching in hospitals across Asia. There, I realized how pronounced social determinants of health were. I witnessed families choosing between educating one child and seeking healthcare for another, how health inequities affected their mental health, and the pivotal role cultural humility played in supporting patients in cross-cultural contexts. These experiences burgeoned my passion for global health, particularly advocating for equal access to global healthcare and amplifying marginalized voices.
 
I am fervent about global health and a vehement advocate for healthcare equity—I will undoubtedly bring my zeal to the student council!
 
PLATFORM
 
My goal as VP Global Health will be to enrich the student experience (academic & non-academic) pertaining to global health.
 
As VP, I will leverage the school's interdisciplinary partnerships to promote a holistic approach to global health. To cultivate awareness, hearing from those who are most affected is pivotal. I will advocate to invite and amplify domestic and international marginalized voices, including refugee voices so that we can develop an informed lens and work to dismantle the barriers barring equal access.
 
Moreover, I will collaborate with peers within and outside McMaster to facilitate events. I plan on organizing international elective information sessions with integrated global health perspectives and arranging conferences & speaker series with international voices in global health domains that interest students most. I will also advocate having more clinical opportunities to practice and demonstrate cultural humility to ensure we are prepared to work effectively with diverse populations!

Max Silverman

BIO
 
I graduated from Queen’s University in 2021, and am ecstatic to be a part of C2024 with you all! I‘ve had a passion for student governance since elementary school, and have held numerous executive roles throughout my student career in both advocacy and health initiatives. For example, I led a committee partnered with SickKids hospital, which raised awareness and funds in support of children’s health. In addition I chaired the Relay for Life fundraising for the Canadian Cancer Society, and coordinated the Canadian Blood Services’ stem cell registry at Queen’s. From these experiences I learned how valuable student-led initiatives are, and the tremendous impact a team of like-minded individuals can have. In my free time I love to cook, play video games, read, and closely follow media focused on climate change. I enjoy collaboration and committee work and am excited to explore all that McMaster Med has to offer.
 
PLATFORM
 
Climate change is the single biggest threat to global health today, and its impacts will be increasingly felt in the years to come. The disproportionate effect of climate change on the health of those who contributed to it the least is a gross injustice. As such, if elected I will bring climate change and the global health inequities it poses to the forefront of my decision making, while continuing to carry forward the committee initiatives already in place. Furthermore, I will advocate for equitable access to quality healthcare globally, recognizing our privileged position as Canadian citizens in this regard. In particular, I will strive to amplify the voices of those belonging to marginalized communities who often face the brunt of negative health consequences, as made evident by the disparate impacts of COVID-19. Finally, I will ensure that the lessons learned throughout this pandemic guide the efforts of this committee.

Jocelyn Tamura

BIO
 
Hey! My name is Jocelyn and I’m excited to be running as your VP Global Health. Growing up in Canada, Hong Kong, and the UK, I learned early on that adopting a global perspective is not only important, but necessary to understand the world. This perspective has inspired my work, from my studies in Global Health, to my writing for the Juxtaposition Global Health Magazine, to my research in Global Health policy. Student advocacy is also important to me, and I was elected Co-President of the UofT Medical Sciences Student Union this year. I learned immensely from these experiences, gaining an appreciation for Global Health’s challenges and confidence navigating student affairs. In my free time, I enjoy graphic design, baking, and taking care of my many plants. I would be honoured to work with you to bring Global Health to our class and can’t wait to meet you all!
 
PLATFORM
 
As medical students and physicians, we will inevitably grapple with Global Health challenges right in our hospitals and clinics. Complex topics like BIPOC health inequities, low-resource healthcare settings, and COVID-19 vaccine distribution all fall under the Global Health umbrella. As VP Global Health, my goal would be to help us navigate these challenges and learn how to “do” Global Health, locally. I want to: (1) Push for the meaningful inclusion of underrepresented populations in the OSCE; (2) Expose our class to interdisciplinary social sciences and humanities perspectives in healthcare; and (3) Listen and collaborate with you to bring your interests forward. I strongly believe that Global Health approaches can strengthen our learning, healthcare practice, and ability to advocate for our communities. As your VP Global Health, bringing this perspective to our class would be my priority. Thank you for your time, and reach out if you want to chat!