Global Health Pursuit

A simple glass of water can change lives. Sean Kappauf is the inspirational figure behind the non-profit 'One ATTA Time', dedicated to tackling the global water crisis. Venturing from a place of personal apathy to launching a life-changing initiative, Sean takes us through his deeply personal journey that transformed his mission to care into actionable compassion. Sean shares how a heartwarming co...

March is National Nutrition Month. Created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, an annual nutrition education and information campaign is celebrated to focus on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. Since is it National Nutrition Month, I thought I'd rewind back to an eye-opening conversation all about food security and nutri...

War. bombings. Terror. Is history repeating itself? We see it happening all around the world. And today's episode is about resilience in the face of war.  In this episode Dr. Amani Ballour, a Syrian pediatrician and activist discusses Her upbringing in a conservative Syrian community Her path to becoming a doctor against societal expectations and her intense experiences managing an undergroun...

The Western healthcare system is full of rack rage, moral injury, and ethical crises. How can we redefine how physicians deliver healthcare to stay true to morality? In this episode, Dr. Marc-David Munk, an emergency medicine physician, shares his transformative experiences working with the Flying Doctors of East Africa . In this episode, Dr. Munk discusses: The moral challenges he faced in the We...

Can engineering create sustainable change in the world? In this episode of the Global Health Pursuit podcast, we speak with Abe Wright, co-founder and CTO of Design Outreach. We discuss Abe's transition from an engineer at J&J to leading a nonprofit focused on global health. Abe shares the story of the Life Pump, a reliable and sustainable water pump designed to alleviate poverty. The episode...

Can breaking the glass ceiling of education shatter the cycle of poverty?  Amidst the complex tapestry of global health and humanitarian efforts, this episode is a reflection of my conversation with Ajit George, Chief Operations Officer at Shanti Bhavan, and just my general thoughts and opinions about how poverty can be alleviated. Listen to the episode on Shanti Bhavan: Shanti Bhavan: Poweri...

Imagine stepping into a world where education is the key that unlocks the shackles of generational poverty. Such is the reality for the students at Shanti Bhavan, where Ajit George, the Chief Operating Officer, has taken his father’s vision and helped turn it into a beacon of hope in rural India. Our conversation peels back the layers of this extraordinary school, revealing not just the academic r...

What does it mean to be internally displaced? Internally displaced persons and citizens of last mile communities often have to travel miles to receive the healthcare they need. After a mothers long trek to a medical center in Cameroon, Elvis Ndansi untied a dead baby from the mothers back. A baby who had passed due to preventable and treatable condition - Malaria. Having grown up in a last mile co...

How do you change behavior in people who have lived in a system where healthcare is built on the idea of being sick? In this episode, co-founder and executive director of Hands on Peru, Katie Baric, steps into the spotlight to share her story from growing up in North Carolina to bringing a positive public health change to Peruvian communities. We speak about her organization's shift in health...

Did you know that only 3% of age-eligible people donate blood yearly? This is a micro episode to shed light on some shocking facts about blood demand and the need for donations. With statistics sourced from the World Health Organization and the American Red Cross, we unpack the gravity of the situation while also shining a light on the global disparities in blood supply. Links: World Health Organi...

If you needed blood, but there was no blood in the hospital blood bank, what do you do? Today, we speak with inventor and mechanical engineer, Gillian Henker, who unravels the story behind Hemafuse, a revolutionary autotransfusion device that addresses the dire need for donor blood worldwide. This episode illuminates not only the inception and evolution of a life-saving invention, but also the pro...

Reflecting on the journey from burnout to breakthrough, I share the intimate details of my personal transformation that began with a wish for courage, motivation, and perseverance. This isn't just my story, but an invitation to you,  to find strength in your own dreams as we navigate the new year together. This episode is a reminder that change can begin with a single book, a single moment, a...

Exactly 2 years ago, I decided to quit my engineering job. This conversation reveals the conflict between corporate success and seeking a place where one's soul feels at home. The journey wasn't just about leaving a job; it was a  journey for fulfillment that challenged me to confront deep-set fears and societal pressures. So, for the last episode of 2023, I wanted to re-release the firs...

Can you imagine a world without Obstetric Fistula? Brooke Sulahian and Cara Brooks,  the driving forces behind Hope for Our Sisters,  share their inspiring stories, fervor, and dedication in advocating for and providing support to women battling with this condition. This episode is not just about shedding light on Obstetric Fistula; it’s about humanizing the struggle. Brooke and Cara emphasize the...

Fistula repair surgery originated in the late 19th century. Yet, at least one million women today suffer for want of this surgery that can transform their lives. In this episode, Jesse Chu, the senior program manager at Fistula Foundation, shares her personal quest in encountering the world of obstetric fistula. We dive into the tireless work of Fistula Foundation, how they are building trust in c...

Though childbirth injuries are practically eradicated in the developed world, they still hold a devastating grip on the lives of countless women in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Obstetric fistula, a result of prolonged, obstructed labor, leaves women socially ostracized and emotionally shattered, with many enduring the consequences for an average of five years before receiving treatment. Toda...

How did Giving Tuesday begin? Who founded the movement, and why is it so important to nonprofits today?  In this episode, we uncover the story of Giving Tuesday, a global philanthropic movement born in 2012 as a counterpoint to the rampant consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. I share some research into how this occasion has become a springboard for non-profits to amplify their missions, d...

Why is epilepsy highly stigmatized, particularly in low and middle-income countries? Join me as we learn together.  We revisit our previous discussion in episodes 34 and 35, we attempt to answer the following questions that will take us further into understanding this often misunderstood condition: What are the changes in language or terminology when we speak about epilepsy? What is Sudden Unexpec...

Can a cup of coffee help destigmatize how the world looks at epilepsy? What if we looked at brain health as something that affects us all? Our guest, Teguo is not only making strides toward enhanced epilepsy awareness but also championing an innovative approach to sustainable healthcare delivery through his fair-profit company. As you listen, you'll discover the harsh realities of medical nee...

Can you imagine the ripple effects of epilepsy stigma in a remote village in Cameroon? Our guest, Teguo Daniel Djoyum, a neurotechnologist and social entrepreneur, knows all too well. His personal journey began with his brother's epilepsy diagnosis, sparking a fierce passion for neurodiagnostics within him. Today, he's assisting people in countries like Cameroon, making neurodiagnostic s...

Today, amongst the crisis that is happening between Palestine and Israel, I needed some time to decompress, reflect, and continue to dig deeper into the history of these two nations. That's why I'm re-releasing one of my favorite and most relevant episodes to shed a little bit of light and faith for those who feel hopeless in times like these: "Why Are Infants Dying From Preventable...

Ever noticed an unsettling change in your outlook after you return from a service or volunteer trip? That, my friend, is what we call reverse culture shock, and it's what we're diving into today. Fresh from a journey with Extra Mile Pediatrics to El Salvador, I've been struck by the stark differences in lifestyle, attitude, and particularly, patient gratitude in rural communities. A...

Have you imagined how a medical service trip to El Salvador might look like? Strap in for a journey with Extra Mile Pediatrics, a non-profit organization transforming the lives of communities in need. Our guests, Kris , Dr. Mapp, Dr. Shah, Shyam, and Lilly, share their moving experiences in Hacienda San Diego, El Jobo, La Presa, and La Red. These communities battle serious health problems due to l...

What would it be like to venture into uncharted territories and stretch the limitations of pediatric healthcare and bring it to those most in need? Picture the aroma of foreign spices, the sound of children's laughter, and the heartfelt gratitude in new mothers' eyes. These are just glimpses into the extraordinary journey of Dr. Jeff Mapp, co-founder of Extra Mile Pediatrics, whose passi...

Why do some children end up in orphanages? Callie Himsl, an advocate for social justice, education, and healthcare in Haiti, joins us for a riveting discussion on this and much more. Having transitioned from corporate America to work with La Pointe Foundation in Haiti, Callie offers unique insights into the realities of life there. We delve into the complex issues surrounding volunteerism and the...