8/13/2019 PIH DAT bios

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The Partners in Health Development Advisory Teamis a dedicated group of Notre Dame seniors eager topromote the work of PIH. In particular, each of us has first-hand experience understanding the value ofaccompaniment, especially in the global context of social justice and healthcare. Coming from a diverseset of backgrounds and fields, we are excited to take an interdisciplinary approach to the challenges athand, and look forward to collaborating with Compaeros En Salud in exploring novel and practicalsolutions to better engage with relevant parties.

Hello! Im Jenna Ahn, a senior Theology and Pre-health major at the University

of Notre Dame. During the past two summers, I worked alongside and conductedqualitative research for a theology thesis with the Missionaries of Charity inKolkata, India. Through these experiences, I have come to know thetransformative and life-giving effects of practicing accompaniment (in bothgiving and receiving). I was first introduced to PIH through the intersection ofLiberation Theology. Last year, I worked with a small team to create anddisseminate a curriculum for teaching accompaniment as understood by PIH.With this initial background, I was later privileged to work with another studentand Prof. Reifenberg in helping organize the conference on accompaniment thispast fall. Serving as a rapporteur for the workshop, I was especially interested inthe diverse perspectives through which professionals approached the practice ofaccompaniment and the ways in which accompaniment could be effectivelyimplemented and shared through narration. Finally, I am very excited to be

working with you and Compaeros en Salud and look forward to discussing together the different ways inwhich you both accompany and would like to be accompanied in Chiapas.

Hi, I'm Ali Searle! Studying biology and french has well-acquainted me with theintricacies of human need, however my experiences outside the classroom havetransformed this recognition into a moral imperative. Passionate about internationalhealth, I have had the opportunity to partner with numerous developmentorganizations pursuing health equity. International work in Ghana as well asconsulting for Global Health Ministries Haiti projects and the Ford Programs HumanSolidarity Campaign in Kenya have provided broad experience navigating thecomplex cultural, political and economic factors contributing to challenges forglobal healthcare provision. More importantly, intimate experiences working side-by-side with oppressed populations at AIDS Assist and Special Olympics havedemonstrated the undeniable power of accompaniment. As a member of GlobeMedseBoard, I have practice harnessing network potential, mobilizing diverse groups ofpeople, articulating a theory of change and actively promoting partnership onmyriad levels. Already familiar with PIH, I was first introduced to its work in Chiapasduring a fascinating presentation by Dan Palazuelos this past fall, in which hedescribed ongoing efforts to accompany the community through chronic conditionssuch as diabetes and poor nutrition. I am delighted to learn more about Compaerosen Saluds work, and eager to further support its efforts!

My name is Denise Umubyeyi. I am a senior Political Science major with a minorin International Development Studies. I have had substantial internationalexperience having been born and lived in Rwanda, Tanzania for three years,

Zambia for eight years, the United States for close to nine years and my studyabroad in London for a semester. Like Jenna, my first introduction to PIH and itswork was in 2011 during a joint lecture between Fr. Gustavo Gutierrez and Dr.Paul Farmer. In the fall of 2013, I enjoyed working with PIH strategizing for moreawareness of the concept of accompaniment, further building on the work Jennaand her group did the previous semester. This past summer, my research of theClinton Health Access Initiative Human Resources for Health Program in Rwandaexposed me to accompaniment in practice. From this experience, I brought backimportant lessons I hope can be easily applied to the building of partnershipswith private or public institutions. I hope that these lessons will be beneficial aswe move forward with this development advisory project. In conclusion, Ienjoyed meeting you last fall during Dr. Farmer and Fr. Gutierrezs book launchand look forward to working with you this semester!