Global Health Pursuit

Ever thought about how a quick cataract surgery or a new pair of glasses might change not just someone's life, but an entire community's future? We're diving into that idea today, exploring how the economics of eye health can drive significant changes globally. Our guest, Jack Hennessey, brings over a decade of experience in health economics, tackling big challenges and shaping policies that impac...

In today's rapidly changing educational landscape, where classroom challenges like lockdown drills, information overload, and teacher burnout are increasingly common, one question arises: Why isn't mindfulness a mandatory part of our educational curriculum? Our guest, Annamarie Fernyak, founder of MindBodyAlign , shares her journey of introducing mindfulness practices in schools and what she learn...

How does an engineering student shift their career ambitions from big pharma to global health challenges? In this episode of the global health podcast, we learn from Lizzy Loughnane, an engineer who transitioned to humanitarian engineering after joining Villanova University's service learning program. Lizzy shares her journey working on water sanitation hygiene (WASH) projects in Nicaragua and Mad...

For our first ever feedswap, I'm excited to bring you episode 63 of "Narratives of Purpose" -   a podcast hosted by a new friend of mine, Claire Murigande, that features global changemakers discussing social impact topics that include, youth empowerment, global health equity, and sustainable food systems. This one is on eradicating period poverty featuring Ira Guha! Check out Narratives of Pu...

Between 1999 and 2011, 17 Salvadoran women were sentenced to up to 40 years in prison after experiencing miscarriages, which were shockingly classified as aggravated homicide. This episode unpacks that outrageous reality, raising questions about how miscarriages (spontaneous abortions) can even be treated as crimes and why the government chose to prosecute rather than protect these women in a heal...

In the United States., psychiatric healthcare seems to be caught between two extreme ideologies... Dr. Morgan Shields, Assistant Professor at the WashU Brown School in St. Louis, is back for part 2 after sharing her VERY personal experiences with the inpatient psychiatric setting. If you haven’t listened or watched part 1, make sure to go back one week and hit play. On one side, there’s a pus...

What if I told you that there are healthcare facilities that can inadvertently worsen your condition? I’m talking about the case of inpatient psychiatric care. In this episode, I feature a special guest, Dr. Morgan Shields, whose lived experiences might make you question the state of mental healthcare in the United States. From witnessing it from the sidelines as her father experienced bipolar dis...

What do charities truly need beyond just cash – a supportive community and ecosystem! Jeremie Mani is rallying podcasters worldwide to join a movement called Podcasthon . The mission? To get as many podcasters as possible to dedicate a single episode to a charity of their choice during a weeklong event in March 2025. If you’re a podcaster or know a charity that deserves the spotlight, this is your...

*Disclaimer - this episode was produced prior to Trumps inauguration on January 20th, 2025* Asylum seekers and refugees at the U.S.-Mexico border face harrowing conditions, often forced to live in makeshift camps with inadequate access to basic necessities like clean water and sanitation. Erin Hughes, a licensed professional engineer and founder of Solidarity Engineering, shares her journey of bei...

I think yes! In this episode, I reflect on my journey thus far. Listen in for insights on how I've successfully utilized portions of sponsorship funds to impactful charities like the Society for Women's Health Research and World Pediatrics. This episode dives into the importance of community and connection, reminding listeners that even small steps can lead to significant change. <3 thank you f...

Menstrual health is not just a women’s issue; it’s a vital topic for everyone, and understanding it can significantly enhance gender equality and social justice. Danielle Keiser, a leading menstrual health educator, shares her journey and insights into how cultural shifts have influenced her mission. We discuss the importance of educating men about menstrual cycles and how this knowledge can foste...

How does vital signs monitoring address neonatal mortality in low-income countries? What challenges do medical device startups face, especially in regulated healthcare environments? In this interview, Sona Shah, CEO of Neopenda, walks us through her personal journey from studying chemical engineering at Georgia Tech to creating impactful healthcare solutions while navigating the complexities of me...

Ayurveda, often dismissed as mere "woo woo," might just hold the key to understanding our health in a more holistic way. In this episode, Austin Vantastic shares his transformative journey from a high-pressure career in film to discovering the healing potential of ancient Indian medicine. Together, they explore how Ayurveda addresses chronic conditions that Western medicine often overlooks, highli...

How can we advance global pediatric care to reach children in the most underserved regions? This episode tackles that pressing question while highlighting the vital role of partnerships in overcoming healthcare challenges. We dive into the transformative work of World Pediatrics , which is dedicated to ensuring that children in low-resource areas receive essential medical care. With insights from...

Did you know that only 3% of children in low income countries have access to surgery, while 85% of children in high income countries like the US have access? This means that easily treatable conditions like appendicitis or long bone fractures could result in death or lifelong disability for children in low and middle income countries. On the bright side, there are organizations like World Pediatri...

What unique challenges do refugee and migrant youth face during resettlement, and how can educational systems best support their integration and mental health? Ilana Seff, a Research Assistant Professor at the Brown School at Washington University, and Jeremy Aldrich, Director of Teaching and Learning in Harrisonburg City Public Schools, delve into this crucial topic in this episode. Ilana highlig...

What is the vaginal microbiome, and why is it crucial for women's health? How does bacterial vaginosis (BV) and its treatments impact women's lives? Dr. Craig Cohen, a leading expert in obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at UCSF, explains the importance of the vaginal microbiome and its role in women's health. Drawing from years of experience and extensive research, including his wo...

What if men could share the responsibility for contraception? How could this reshape relationships and economic landscapes globally? Could this reduce global poverty? Heather Vahdat, Executive Director at Male Contraceptive Initiative, talks passionately about the groundbreaking journey towards safe, reversible male contraceptive options. The discussion covers her intriguing career shift from zool...

How do forest fires link to climate change? Why does climate pose a national security threat? How can businesses mitigate their carbon footprints? Mike Smith, co-founder and CEO of Aclymate , joined me to discuss his journey from a Navy career to founding a company focused on helping small-to-medium sized businesses achieve carbon neutrality. The conversation delves into the personal experiences t...

How does a pharmaceutical scientist end up spearheading an initiative to combat neglected global diseases? What drives a tenured professor to shift focus from profitable pharmaceutical ventures to humanitarian efforts? This interview with Dr. Kishor Wasan explores the unexpected journey from a traditional pharmaceutical scientist to the founder of the Neglected Global Diseases Initiative (NGDI) at...

Should immigration be a political or humanitarian issue? How do policies hinder or help the lives of displaced individuals? What challenges do forcibly displaced people face? How can economic integration be measured? Why is getting a visa for highly educated individuals based on a lottery system? Dr. Mitra Naseh, an Assistant Professor and Co-Founder and Research Director of the Initiative on Soci...

After taking 6 months off (to get married and enjoy life), the Global Health Pursuit Podcast is back again for a brand new season! This season, we'll be exploring topics like refugees and forced migration, fatal heat and how it affects national security, and the controversial (or maybe not so controversial) topic of male contraception! It'll be a blast! Make sure you're subscribed and I can't wait...

I want your no-nonsense, genuine, feedback on this podcast! Schedule some time to chat with me by clicking this link: Hetal's Calendar OR email me at hetal@globalhealthpursuit.com to share your insights or schedule a time to grab coffee! Can't wait to chat!

The Global Health Pursuit is closing its first season. Make sure to subscribe to be the first to know when the second season launches. You won't want to miss it. Email me at hetal@globalhealthpursuit.com to get in touch in the meantime! :) __________________ Support the Podcast Click here to send in a one-time or monthly donation Thank you to our partners at CHIMUK : A sustainable and ethical hand...

Today, I'm setting aside the usual guest interview format to share my own experiences and insights as a global health podcaster. I announce a brief hiatus for my upcoming wedding (yay!) and tease the exciting lineup for the next season of the podcast! Reflecting on my travels and work in the medical device industry, I discuss the inequities in healthcare access and my drive to explore global healt...