Austin Ajimura talks about his experiences in the Department of Women, Gender and Sexual Studies
Medicine, nursing and public health are popular students majoring in a career in health care choosing at the University of Hawaii in Manoi. They can also add a double subject to better understand and help break down the prejudices experienced by women, LGBTQ + and marginalized groups in society.
At the Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Women, Gender and Sexuality (VGSS), formerly known as Women’s Studies, offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of women and gender issues, including BA course with a completely online option, certificates for undergraduate and queer studies and a diploma.
“We all deserve full health potential, but there are differences between certain groups of the population in achieving that,” he said. Lani Teves, VGSS department and associate professor. “That is why students have many opportunities in our curriculum to think critically and creatively about solutions to health inequalities and to see themselves as key actors in making health care more accessible and equitable in many communities.”
A VGSS student and two alumni explain why look for a double course in VGSS made sense for them in their search for health careers.
‘Topics touch so many strings of my identity’
Cassidi Silva came in UH Manoa 2019 as Regents Fellow. With the intention of applying to medical school after graduating in cell biology, a high school graduate in Mililan crashed into VGSS and found the topic fascinating.
“There is a synergy between everything I learn in the classroom, my past experiences and my personal and professional goals,” Silva said. “As in no other field of study, VGSS topics touch on so many sequences of my identity. ”
As a trainee researcher in Kapiʻolani The Silva Medical Center for Women and Children helped recruit participants for a study on the nutrition and diet of mothers and their native babies from Hawaii. Silva also ran an account on social media Hawaiian organization based on SafeSek808, which focuses on spreading teen knowledge about safe and affordable sex.
She used it VGSS education during an internship at John A. Burns (JABSOM) Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, which fits into her dream of becoming a specialist in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Silva is currently a junior and hopes to graduate in the spring of 2023.
“Working to create a fairer society”
Cameron Woodswho graduated in public health in the spring of 2022 and VGSS, hopes to be a nurse. After graduating from Kalani High School, Woods enrolled in UH Manoa 2018 and was eager to attend all the public health classes that were offered. However, as a sophomore, Woods felt something was missing.
“It has become clear that my public health education will not be complete without studying and understanding the historical, social and structural issues that have created and perpetuated health disparities,” said Regents Scholar 2018.
Then VGSS became Woods’ other direction. Woods also found a part-time job at a local health center, where two aspects of the job were introducing organizational changes to ensure LGBTQ + patients and staff feel safe and comfortable in the clinic, and meeting with patients seeking guidance on health care that affirms gender. .
“Our insurance system makes it difficult for people to receive care that affirms gender, and it can be quite challenging, and even traumatic, to manage the health care system on their own. “I tried to remove as much of that burden from the patient as possible,” they said. “My advice to students, if you want to challenge yourself to deconstruct and reshape your ideas about society, and to have a career that works to create a fairer society,” VGSS is a great subject to consider. ”
“I am a better person today VGSS‘
Austin Ajimurawho graduated in biology in 2019 and VGSSis pursuing a master’s degree in public health in the social and behavioral health sciences, with the hope of becoming a public health expert.
From early childhood to serving as president of the student body of Mililani High, Ajimura wanted to pursue a career in medicine. “But what I failed to take into account are the forces that affect the lives of my patients outside of medicine,” Ajimura said. “When someone leaves the clinic, no matter how much you try to help them, they will continue to face their challenges.
Ajimura is still haunted by the memory of the client while he was volunteering JABSOM‘s THE HOUSE (Outreach for the Homeless and Medical Education) Project.
“The client was in the final stages of cancer, chronically homeless and did not receive the necessary medical care or social support. We could have helped as much as we could, but I never saw this person again. I think a lot about that person. The experience further fueled my passion for change, as it was the first time I had truly seen the direct and devastating effects of health disparities and poor access to health care. ”
Ajimura’s main duties in Hawaii THE HOUSE help patients obtain health insurance, establish primary care, and identify / overcome barriers to insurance and treatment. It also works with city emergency services that have become infected or exposed to COVID-19 by collecting data and investigating cases, setting appropriate timelines for quarantine / isolation and ensuring monitoring.
“I am a better person today VGSS. That changed me in the way I look at the world and society, “he said.
For more, visit the Faculty of Social Sciences website.
This paper is an example UH Manoa’s goals for improving student achievement (PDF) and excellence in research: improving research and creative work (PDF), two of the four objectives identified in the 2015–25 strategic plan.PDF), updated in December 2020.