Journal of Medical Sociology and Public Health
a quarterly journal dedicated to the current patient-related issues in medical sociology and public health
Our Summer 2024 Staff
Elissa Steil, Managing Editor
Elissa Steil attends the College of William & Mary as a candidate for a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Interdiscplinary Studies with a focus in Science Communication. She is an accomplished writer and editor, and has worked in healthcare as a medical assistant and in education as an after school teacher and mentor. As Editor, Elissa skillfully managed the writing and research staff of our book, Beyond Boundaries: Has telemedicine really improved access to care?
Yasmin Zamani, Senior Research Associate
Yasmin Zamani started her journey at GWU, focusing on improving social and behavioral factors that affect health to create better treatments and healthcare strategies. She's passionate about promoting inclusivity and fairness in healthcare for vulnerable and diverse communities. As a type one diabetic for over 15 years, Yasmin has firsthand experience with the barriers in the healthcare system. This gives her a unique perspective as both a health professional and a patient. She advocates for others with pre-existing conditions and is also actively involved in supporting and improving healthcare policies related to social and behavioral factors that affect health. She aims to address issues with the healthcare delivery system, especially in making health consumer supplies more efficient and affordable. Additionally, she wants to increase access to mental health resources and improve healthcare services in remote and rural areas. Yasmin had chosen to pursue her MPH degree at GW to provide support to others based on her own experiences as a first-generation student and the first in her family to receive a higher academic degree. She believes in empowering diverse communities living with autoimmune and pre-existing conditions. Her goal is to bridge the gap between healthcare and social justice by using her background and experiences to provide strong support and mentorship for young adults living with chronic conditions. She also wants to increase awareness of community health prevention programs and interventions, focusing on improving outcomes for communities of color, diverse populations, and vulnerable groups. Yasmin is excited to continue expanding her knowledge within the public health sector and profession.
Jay Adolphe, Senior Research Associate
Jay Adolphe is a sophomore at Colgate University and on track to be a Film and Media major. This past fall, she worked for the Office of Sustainability at Colgate under the Sustainability Representatives Program, advocating for and implementing sustainable practices within the Colgate community. She has also worked as a Haven Ambassador for Haven: Sexual Violence Survivor Support Center. As a Haven Ambassador, she played a crucial role in providing peer support, advocacy and education regarding sexual violence prevention on the Colgate University Campus. Her role aims to advocate for survivors, provide resources and cultivate a safe environment on campus through education and outreach efforts. In the fall of 2024, she will be working as a Peer Research Consultant for Case-Geyer Library where she will teach research strategies, helping students evaluate information sources, and providing guidance on effective literature searches, in order to promote information literacy and empower students to navigate their resources effectively. Outside of the classroom and her professional career, Jay plays for Colgate's Women's Rugby Team and is a part of the Black Student Union.
Evie Song, Senior Research Associate
Evie Song is a senior at Pomona College majoring in Sociology and minoring in Biology with specific interests in the public health, medical sociology, and the sociology of leisure. She has a passion for nutrition related healthcare and has experience working under a dietitian, conducting needs assessments in particular states with the aim of identifying barriers in this field. She helped grow outreach initiatives by contacting healthcare providers and creating nutrition resource guides for specific client demographics. Additionally, she has conducted sociological research on American cultural approaches to work-leisure balance in the context of country dancing in Southern California. Outside of the academic sphere, she is the co-president of The Claremont Colleges club swim team and member of the ballroom dance company. If not at the pool, she’s likely at a country bar doing some two step, country/west-coast swing, and line dancing!
Victoria Dunbar, Senior Research Associate
Victoria Dunbar graduated from Georgia State University with honors, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Her passion for the health and wellness of all persons has led her to advocacy. Victoria has experience in both neuroscience and psychology research and is looking to continue throughout her career. Her goal is to not only expand our general body of knowledge but to utilize these findings to influence policy and improve our quality of life. She loves getting to know people and helping people achieve. In her free time, she loves to read, write, play bass guitar, and video games.
Kelley Wells Senior Research Associate
Kelley Wells is a graduate student attending Liberty University pursuing a Master of Public Health with a specialization in Environmental Health, and a Master of Education in Health and Wellness Education at the American College of Education. I possess a Master of Science in Environmental Management and a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus. I attended Louisiana State University A and M College where I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management Systems and a Bachelor of Science in Geography. I have a diverse background in healthcare as a medical reviewer and analyst, environmental health and safety as a researcher, and project management as a healthcare data analyst and coordinator. I love learning about public health, environmental health and safety, healthcare, and wellness promotion. I believe in living a healthy lifestyle, eating nutritious food, and having good physical activity.
Defne Greer, Senior Research Associate
Defne Greer is currently pursuing a Masters in Health Law and Administration from Loyola New Orleans College of Law. Before this, she obtained her B.A. in Sociology at Baylor University with a concentration in Sociology and Health in addition to a minor in Business Administration. She plans to utilize her passion and understanding of health law to advocate for the rights of patients in the healthcare space. She's excited to take part in the mission of The National Library of Patient Rights and Advocacy and looks forward to contributing in her role as Senior Research Associate.
Elliot Deutou, Senior Research Associate
Elliot Deutou is a senior at Boston College majoring in Neuroscience. He has always had a passion for medicine, performing research, and healthcare. More specifically, his interests include neuroscience and psychological connections in relation to the medical field. Elliot is currently also the Founding VP of a club at Boston College called The Quad, which focuses on bringing together the Black and AHANA+ community on campus through discussions and events.
Cheyenne Wilson, Senior Research Associate
Cheyenne Wilson is a detailed social professional with a strong academic background in sociology, and is passionate about the intertwining of sociology in the medical field. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and minored in Human Development and Family Studies. She works as a Telescribe with ScribeAmerica for the University of Connecticut, where she demonstrates proficiency in clinical procedures, EMR systems, and documentation. She holds a strong familiarity with women’s healthcare, focusing on the intersectionality of obstetrics and gynecology. She is committed to contributing to meaningful research projects and driving data-driven decisions. Cheyenne aspires to leverage her expertise to impact health-related research and policy development.
Amisha Patel, Senior Research Associate
Amisha Patel is a senior at Stevens Institute of Technology double majoring in Visual Arts and Technology and Social Sciences. With a passion for mental health advocacy, Amisha holds leadership positions in the campus Active Minds chapter and previously interned at the American Psychological Association. She is interested in healthcare ethics concentrating on the intersection of technology and mental healthcare. Amisha also aims to advance mental health equity and support through innovative policy and advocacy initiatives.
Annie Haake, Senior Research Associate
Annie Haake is a senior from Kansas City, pursing a bachelor’s degree at the University of Missouri—Columbia. Her concentration is a major in Sociology and a minor in Criminology and Juvenile Justice. She plans on attending law school to obtain her Juris Doctorate, with an emphasis in public policy. She has served on the executive board of her sorority, implementing diversity initiatives, and fostering a community that values respect for all individuals. Additionally, she serves as a lab assistant at the university library and a volunteer teaching assistant at local Columbia elementary schools. The Power of the Patient Project drew her attention because of the nuanced approach to the healthcare system; championing the rights and well-being of patients.
Chia-Tien Hsu, Senior Research Associate
Chia-Tien Hsu is a graduate student at Georgetown University, pursuing a master's degree in public policy. She holds a bachelor's degree in political science and social work from National Taiwan University. Before beginning her graduate studies, she worked as a research assistant in Taiwan, specializing in education policy. Chia-Tien's research interests lie in the politics of healthcare reform across countries, with a passion for improving healthcare accessibility for disadvantaged communities. In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball and reading Japanese manga.
Martalinda Leiva, Senior Research Associate
Martalinda Leiva is pursuing a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in Global Health from the University of Southern California. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Child and Adolescent Development from California State University, Fullerton. Martalinda contributed to a population study on food accessibility during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her health interests include access to well-being for communities with marginalized intersections, alternative medicine, and nutrition."
Siham Mahamud, Senior Research Associate
Siham Mahamud graduated from Otterbein University with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice Studies. She is currently pursuing a masters degree in the field of social work. Her undergraduate studies in sociology have led her to understand the social dynamics and structures of societies, organizations, and institutions, and how these structures work together to shape an individual’s practices, choices, and life outcomes. She wants to now shift her focus to medical sociology and look at the relationship between social factors and health.
Liam McCarthy, Senior Research Associate
Liam McCarthy was born in California where he was diagnosed with Classic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, a rare disease which affects the adrenal glands. However, he has lived in South Carolina for most of his life. As a college student majoring in Business at Emory University, he became interested in patient advocacy and the rare disease community after he was invited to give a Q&A about his rare disease by an endocrinologist. Since then, Liam has become more involved in this space by not only being involved with medical trials and studies, but also volunteering with the National Organization of Rare Disorders and joining the National Institutes of Health Patient Advocacy Group as well as serving a 2 year term with FDA’s Clinical Trial Initiative. He also has written about his rare disease via an online magazine publication, and hopes to continue to share his story throughout college and beyond. Finally, while he still plans on going down the business route, his plan is to go into the non-profit or pharmaceutical sector so that he can continue addressing problems for those with rare diseases.
Katelyn Liu, Senior Research Associate
Katelyn Liu is a student at University College London, pursuing a dual degree in Philosophy and History of Art. Undertaking an interdisciplinary approach with an emphasis on the humanities and social sciences, her research explores the ethics and values of humane technology, healthcare, and education. She is interested in writing on contemporary issues in moral and political philosophy, bioethics, and responsible technology policy.
Vina Tran, Senior Research Associate
Vina Tran is a Cognitive Science student at the University of Pennsylvania minoring in Healthcare Management and Nutrition, originally from Los Angeles. She is passionate about the intersection between nutrition and mental health, and is interested in public and global health. Vina serves as a Senior Marketing Manager for Dr. Uma Naidoo, the pioneer in Nutritional Psychiatry. She has also served as a Strategy and Operations Intern for the Share Food Program, the largest-serving hunger relief organization in Philadelphia, and a Research Assistant for the Penn Infant Language Center. Vina loves the beach, sunsets, poetry, and matcha lattes.
Nikita Nikita, Senior Research Associate
Nikita Nikita is a dedicated and skilled Registered Nurse with a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of New Haven. With a robust background in nursing education, clinical practice, and emergency care, she brings a wealth of experience to her role. She has worked as a Nursing Tutor at Indo American College of Nursing, where she delivered lectures, facilitated hands-on training for over 100 students, and supported clinical placements. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she served as an emergency nurse at Medicover Multispecialty Hospital, providing critical patient care and adhering to stringent infection control protocols. Her internship at Osmania Government Hospital allowed me to refine my clinical skills across various specializations including ophthalmic care, oncology, pediatrics, maternity, mental health, and tropical diseases. She holds several certifications, including Registered Nurse and Midwife, and has conducted research on the prevention of deep vein thrombosis in traumatic brain injury patients. She is passionate about improving healthcare delivery and Nikita is eager to contribute her expertise to a dynamic healthcare environment.
Patient Empowerment
This is the poster that launched The Power of the Patient Project, based on The Patient Bill of Rights. The poster presents the wishes of a patient to his or her healthcare provider to have a better dialogue between patient and provider thereby empowering the patient and nurturing a much closer relationship with the patient for the healthcare provider.
The Power of the Patient Project is greatly influenced by the work of Leslie D. Michelson, author of The Patient's Playbook. This is a great website to explore.
Created by the American Hospital Association, The Patient Bill of Rights serves as the basis for patient empowerment. It is provided to every patient upon admission to the hospital and also serves as the basis for nurturing a healthy conversation between the healthcare provider and the patient in the office.
How to Talk So Your Doctor Will Listen
This is a great article with some excellent advice from AARP.
Questions for the MS Patient to Discuss with Your Doctor
This is an excellent checklist of things a patient with multiple sclerosis should address with the primary care physician or specialist.
Questions for the Transplant Patient to Discuss with Your Doctor
This is an excellent article for the transplant patient to review, either before surgery or post-surgery, to be prepared to have a valuable conversation with the doctor.
Sample Patient Satisfaction Survey
This is an example of a complete patient satisfaction survey.