Graduating Seniors Give Compelling Speeches at GlobeMed Summit Part 2
by Ashley Hagaman on May 8, 2009
As promised, below is Jon Lichkus's moving speech delivered at the 2009 GlobeMed Global Health Summit.
"I almost didn't attend the Inaugural Summit two years ago. I had only decided to go at the last minute, and yet I wonder what would have happened if I missed out. Up until that point, I had been involved with GlobeMed at Penn State for just over a year. I enjoyed being a part of the club, but progress was slow. Our fundraising was limited and we weren't really making the difference we wanted to. But then I came to that 1st Summit. After meeting so many other fascinating GlobeMed members-all of whom seemed to be going through the same trials-and attending Dr. Mukherjee's Keynote Address, where she demonstrated the power of ARV treatment through PIH's Haitian patient, Joseph June, my passion for GlobeMed was officially ignited-a passion that has driven me ever since. During that first Summit, I came to realize the promise of GlobeMed-that we as students, working together with partner organizations around the world, might be able to improve global health, and in the process, develop into a new generation of global health leaders. Tonight, I can say without hesitation, that this promise is being realized. At Penn State, and at Chapters throughout the network, we're beginning to meet that challenge. In doing so, GlobeMed fundamentally changed my perspective and goals in life, and molded me into the person I am today.
When I entered Penn State in August of 2005, I was eager to get involved in some aspect of global health. My Dad's side of the family is originally from South Africa and during our visit to see our relatives in my senior of high school, I saw first-hand the absolute poverty that afflicts so many. I knew that these inequalities existed, but didn't understand why, and had even less an idea of what to do about them. Then one day in October, I saw a flyer for what was then called the Global Medical Relief Program. Still in the process of becoming officially recognized, the club wanted to improve access to health care in Honduras. The following summer, they hoped to travel there as a group to volunteer in the local communities. I was hooked immediately, but little did I know, I was joining something far greater than I ever thought possible.
Three and a half years later, I am the lone remaining member of that original group. Each year since has brought new members to the fold-all just as eager to make a difference. For me, this has been one of the main joys of GlobeMed-working with so many motivated students. In the first two years, I recall being inspired by the leaders of our chapter with their unyielding optimism and belief that the world could be a better place. Most prominent among these was the founder of GlobeMed at Penn State, Liz Francis. Her perseverance and enthusiasm for both GlobeMed and global health was always apparent. Even when events didn't go accordingly to plan, she'd be ready the next day to move forward and improve. Inspiration also came from the broader network of GlobeMed. I remember spending nearly a week at the Global Health Council's Annual Conference in D.C. with Victor, Peter, and Kristina, and meeting many other Execs and National office members at the past two Leadership Institutes.
In fact, I've become so accustomed to working with like-minded students that when I attended medical school interviews this past fall, it was a bit jarring to realize that not everyone believes in the right to health, or that we all have a responsibility to participate in the movement for global health equity. Whenever I encounter these sentiments, I immediately think about what my college career would have been like without GlobeMed. Would I still be preparing for a career in global health? Would I have the same ideas about poverty and foreign aid? The answer, of course, would be no. Without GlobeMed, I would never have had such a range of experiences or learned so many lessons about health, justice, and equity. I would never have spent ten days in Honduras in August of 2007, where we worked with local doctors and community leaders to identify the needs of the clinic's patients. I would never have met with the Head of Biobehavorial Department at Penn State in Fall of 2007 to propose the creation of a Minor in global health, which is now scheduled to be officially offered by the university in the spring of 2010. And I would never have been part of the Penn State chapter, which over the last three years has raised over $15,000 to improve health in both Honduras and rural Mexico and educated nearly 100 Penn State students about their role in impacting global health.
Of course, the lessons I've gained from GlobeMed extend beyond the realm of global health. The ideas of social justice and equity, balancing idealism and pragmatism, have all been introduced to me during these past few years. Last spring, I was away from GlobeMed for about six months while studying abroad in Cape Town, South Africa. But the GlobeMed inside me never left. I used the concepts that define GlobeMed-pragmatic solidarity and empowerment-while tutoring students in a nearby township. It was not "me and them," but all of us working together so that these high school students I tutored realized their own power to change their difficult circumstances. Indeed, the philosophy of GlobeMed extends beyond those in the family to all those outside it as well.
When I returned to GlobeMed this past summer, I barely knew some of the new Executive Board members and was even more uncertain about the rest of the club. But slowly and surely, we came together. My GlobeMed experience reached its pinnacle two weeks ago when we hosted our second PSU Global Health Conference and the Inaugural Benefit Dinner for our partner, EAPSEC. Everything that I love about GlobeMed came together during these two events. GlobeMed members, Penn State students and faculty, and our friends and families all came together to advance this movement for global health equity. It was also remarkable to see so many of our members become leaders of the Chapter. I can remember pretty clearly when most of them were just starting out with GlobeMed and it's simply amazing to witness the transformation that occurs just by being in GlobeMed-starting out with this desire to change the world, and then learning to channel that energy into real results.
Just as inspiring was hosting our Keynote Speaker, the Director of Women's Programming for EAPSEC, Ms. Dagmar Castillo Roblero. Her courage and determination was truly astounding. Dagmar flew from Chiapas, Mexico through three connecting flights to reach us at Penn State. She had accepted our invitation after just a few Skype calls and came to the US for only the second time in her life. During her stay, Dagmar detailed the history of Chiapas, the underlying forces that affect health in the region, and what EAPSEC was doing to empower the community.
Dagmar's visit completely reiterated to me the power of the GlobeMed model. Like us, Dagmar recognizes that the world today is not as it should be. Like us, she wants to change this avoidable and unjust reality. Through our partnership with EAPSEC, GlobeMed at Penn State will help support EAPSEC's effort to build a network of community health promoters, known as promotores, to help the people of Chiapas live a life of dignity.
This past week I was part of a panel for pre-med students to help them through the process of applying. And of course during the talk, GlobeMed came up. After the event the organizer for the panel thanked me for coming and said, "Oh I've heard about GlobeMed, that must have really helped you with med school applications." Now I know she didn't mean it in that sense, but I also know that she doesn't really get it. GlobeMed is not just another extracurricular activity that I fit in between playing ball or going to the movies. It is my passion, it is motivation, and it is foundation upon which I will base not only my future career, but the rest of my life. I cannot begin to thank all of you enough for everything you have done for me over the last four years, especially members of the National Office-I will forever be in your debt. To the Penn State students present here today, this was my favorite year thus far, and that's entirely due to your energy and dedication. You are all amazing. And I want you to know that while I will be graduating in May, I will always be committed to this organization, to the values we represent, and will continually strive to accomplish the ideals we hold so dear. I sense that this movement for global health equity is gaining more and more steam every day and this Summit confirmed this to me once again; and I will be right there with you, be it alongside you or halfway around the world, working to ensure that everyone in this world has the opportunity to live a healthy life."
alternative medicines says on March 04, 2010 at 9:48am:
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