Patient Population Historical Context Review
Embedded Files
HONORS 230 B: Safety-Net Hospitals in the US: Past, Present, and Future
One of the most impactful academic experiences I had was studying the intersection between healthcare systems, race, and historical inequities. In Honors 230B, I began examining how structural discrimination, poverty, and healthcare accessibility continue to shape patient outcomes today. These courses pushed me to think beyond medicine at the biological level and instead consider the larger social systems influencing health and healthcare experiences.
In one project, I researched the historical marginalization of Black Americans within the United States healthcare system and how this history continues to contribute to present-day health disparities. While researching safety net hospitals and underserved patient populations, I explored topics including racial healthcare inequities, insurance disparities, unconscious bias in medicine, and the long-term impacts of structural racism on health outcomes.
This project helped me better understand how healthcare disparities are deeply tied to broader social and historical inequities. More importantly, it challenged me to think critically about the role physicians and healthcare systems play in addressing these disparities and advocating for equitable care.
“This wealth gap – an accumulation of centuries of marginalization – forces Black Americans to live in communities with lower-quality education, housing, fresh food, and outdoor space, all of which contribute to worsened health.”
HONORS 345 A: Oral History: Immigrants from the Middle East
Conducting an oral history interview with a Turkish immigrant gave me a more personal understanding of immigration, identity, and cultural adaptation. Throughout the interview, she described moving independently to the United States, navigating language barriers during graduate school and work, and balancing both Turkish and American identities throughout her life. I was especially struck by her reflections on constantly translating between languages and cultures, as well as her belief that “home is wherever your loved ones are.” Listening to her experiences reinforced the importance of communication, cultural understanding, and listening to individual stories rather than making assumptions about people’s backgrounds or experiences.
HONORS 232 B: Race and Medicine in U.S. History
Creating and facilitating this presentation on environmental justice and health helped me better understand how environmental issues are closely tied to healthcare inequities. Through researching topics such as redlining, sacrifice zones, and the climate gap, I learned how marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by pollution and environmental hazards that impact long-term health outcomes. This project also strengthened my ability to communicate complex public health issues through discussion, collaboration, and peer education.
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