when I was a junior in high school, I tutored a little girl who was in elementary. she had a tumor in her brain, and was not able to participate in gym class... so instead, she met with me twice a week.
she was always a sweet girl. I enjoyed spending my afternoons after school with her. for having so much wrong with her, she always had such a great attitude. it gave me hope.  Read More »

Sometimes I like to pretend that actually writing letters to my representatives on issues I care about works a little bit better than copying and pasting a Facebook status message. It's not even hard, as some organizations write out a draft for you that you can edit to your liking.  Read More »

Many of you who have the...ahem....pleasure of having an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that has decided to throttle or completely block connections to various legal sites are probably well-aware of the stranglehold these companies have been having on Internet access. If you live in the United States, you'll be happy to know that the FCC has started to do something about it.  Read More »

"I've often wondered if I could ever be the brave one, like I am in my daydreams," I told my friend Tony in 8th grade.

"Well, if you're brave in your dreams, that means that's how you are in real life," he answered confidently.

I wasn't so sure. "Really?" I asked.  Read More »

I lost my older sister to suicide in 1999, when I was six years old. I am walking and volunteering this October with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to help raise money and awareness. I definitely don't want anybody else to go through what my family and I have gone through. If I can just prevent this from happening to one person, I will be very happy.  Read More »

Eight years ago, the United States was attacked in one of the most horrifying acts of terrorism in recent memory. When Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the tragic attacks, Americans united, refusing to let the horrific acts of others define who we are as individuals and as a nation. Eight years later, however, one almost has to wonder if they didn't win at least a small victory.  Read More »

People young and old across the US have connected with seven different communities across the African continent to support locally initiated health projects. Using the vibrant color of bananas and the enthusiasm of youth, a new nonprofit has grown to support the coming revolution in African health care.

It all began with one individual, Fr. Joseph Birungi, who had the dream of providing access to basic health care in a remote area where he worked. His dream was transferred on to me through his stories of those who died because they did not have access to basic health care. At the time I was a 14 year-old who knew little of the world beyond Michigan's borders, but I was inspired to do something. Just entering high school, I was full of naive optimism with a goal to figure out how I could make an impact in the world. Although I was youthful, naive, and optimistic I had an incredible mentor, my mother. She helped me form basic assumptions that laid the foundation for my understanding of "global health as everyone's responsibility.  Read More »

I love it when topics just land in my lap. It makes it so much easier to go through and research the topics. This one came to while reading a book, called Every Patient Tells a Story, by Lisa Sanders, MD. Dr.  Read More »