AWARDEES: PATRICK CHEN (middle), KASEY POMEROY (right), FAISAL REZA (left)
PROGRAM: MPH GENERALIST
PROJECT TITLE: POTENTIAL CRISIS IN TAIWAN: IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH
ORGANIZATION: HARVARD CHAN
Our team used geospatial modeling and population health analytics to identify how Taiwan could build resilience to a crisis, such as a natural event or a foreign invasion, and what assistance the country is most likely to need during or in the immediate aftermath of the event. We presented our findings to policymakers at the National Security Council, Department of Defense, Department of State, who used our analysis to tailor their approach to helping Taiwan prepare for disaster events. The project built on novel geospatial and systems analysis to identify ways to mitigate the scale and scope of a major disaster on the island and opportunities tailored specifically for U.S. policymakers to help build infrastructure and population resiliency during such an event. The project sought to identify pathways to minimize civilian loss of life during a crisis by expanding trauma response capabilities, addressing pre-existing needs among the population, and providing insight into evacuation and contingency planning during emergencies.
MOST REWARDING PART OF THE FIELD EXPERIENCE
Patrick: Our team’s transition from a virtual brainstorming session to federal briefings at the White House could not have happened if not for the Harvard community. It was incredibly rewarding and exciting to partner with world-class faculty members and public health practitioners to advance the public health mission of creating a healthier world.
Kasey: I found the multidisciplinary nature of our team to be the most rewarding part of our project. It was incredible to watch Patrick develop novel and hard-hitting geospatial analysis while Faisal applied his deep expertise to the problem of population health needs.
Faisal: The most rewarding aspect of my experience was the opportunity to work with, and learn from, individuals across sectors in order to collectively contribute to the improvement of the health and well-being of populations in realized or potential crises. Public health is indeed a team sport.
ADVICE FOR STUDENTS DOING WORK IN THE FIELD
Patrick: I highly encourage students to build diverse teams with multidisciplinary skillsets when tackling complex public health problems. I have found incredible value in partnering with students and faculty members that specialize in different areas of public health.
Kasey: Great ideas can only save lives if they are implemented. Find the right change organization to drive action on your work.
Faisal: As we do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, but rather borrow it from our children, I would advise us to think deeply about where we are needed most and to act purposefully. Though the public health classroom is the crucible in which our skills are forged in biostatistics and epidemiology, leadership and communication, public health policy and politics, health systems, social determinants of health, and qualitative methods, it is our planet writ large where these skills are practically applied. It has been at times inspiring and humbling to realize that work that can be done, and needs to be done, to improve the health and well-being of populations – let us lead the way in getting it done.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Patrick: I’d like to thank Craig Vanderwagen for his mentorship, Bill Bean for his unwavering support and belief in our team’s vision, and Bonnie Blanchfield for her invaluable guidance and expertise.
Kasey: We would like to share our deep appreciation for Matt Hepburn at the White House for his incredibly useful feedback on our project development and his enthusiasm for our work. Our Harvard faculty team was fantastic and we would like to thank Craig Vanderwagen, Bill Bean, and Dave Matheson for all of their input, advice, and support.
Faisal: I have had the distinct privilege and pleasure learn from my advisors, team members, and audiences on this Harvard MPH-45 Generalist Program Practicum, and without whom it would not have been possible. Bill Bean has been always available to mentor me throughout the Program. W. Craig Vanderwagen has been ever generous to me with his time and thoughts in this Practicum. The talents of team members Kasey Pomeroy and Patrick Chen made our Practicum team’s dream work. Audience members from the U.S. government such as Matt Hepburn, and the international community have encouraged our work. Empowering this work are those from the Harvard community, including Bonnie Blanchfield, Dave Matheson, Megan Kerin, and Paul Venton, among others from its MPH-45 Generalist Program. Learning from them, and others, has been the highlight of my time at the Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
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