Letter from new Executive Director, Jon Shaffer
by Jon on August 16, 2009
Jon Shaffer is a recent graduate of Northwestern University with a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering. Following his work as president of the GlobeMed chapter at Northwestern, Jon has now stepped into the role of Executive Director of GlobeMed, where he will be responsible for leading the organization in its next phase of growth.
As the new executive director of GlobeMed, I am excited to have the honor to lead this organization and build on the tremendous foundation laid over the past three years. There is no doubt that this is an exciting moment in GlobeMed’s evolution and story. I am writing to both introduce myself and to thank you for your continued support.
Almost exactly one year ago today, I sat hunched over a 1990’s era computer in the side room of the HOPE Center, a rural medical clinic in Ho, Ghana. The room was sweltering – at least 100 degrees and windowless. I was working feverishly to install and configure an open source electronic medical records system which had the potential to transform the way nurses at the clinic collected analyzed data, and therefore cared for their ailing patients.
As the president of the GlobeMed chapter at Northwestern University I led a team of four students on this four-week trip to Ghana. Together, we worked on a variety of public health projects including implementing a community nutrition project aimed at reducing childhood malnutrition in the area as well as analyzing patient intake data. Since that trip to Ghana, GlobeMed students at Northwestern have funded a diagnostic pathology lab at the HOPE Center which will allow the clinic to diagnose and treat a much wider range of diseases. As a result of our partnership, thousands of people in 8 communities have access to basic medical care that they previously lacked.
This incredible experience has reaffirmed my belief that if students and communities work together, a different world is indeed possible. Students have the capacity to support and improve community-based health initiatives. At the same time these students build the skills and a passion to pursue a life devoted to global health and social justice. Students have a positive impact on the health of communities now while strengthening a broader, long-term movement for global health equity.
This is why I thank you so much for your past and continued support. Your commitment to GlobeMed and your investment in our work enables students and communities to work together to improve the health of the impoverished around the world. Over the past 3 years we have had tremendous success in achieving this mission: our network has grown to 19 chapters and over 400 students at universities across the country and we have positively impacted 21 communities by partnering on public health projects such as training community health workers and renovating clinics. What’s more, we’re inspiring a new generation of leaders to continue this work in the long-term: over 90% of GlobeMed members plan to remain committed to global health throughout their lives, regardless of career path.
This is the first of my quarterly messages to core GlobeMed supporters like you. I encourage your participation and ideas, as well as your financial support, as we move through these next critical years in our development. Please feel free to contact me at with your comments.
In Solidarity,
Jon
No comments.