Photo caption: Scholars presented their anti-racism and COVID-19 research projects at an HPRS poster session.
“This community—my community—continues to inspire and challenge cynical notions of what’s possible for the world and myself.” The words of 2020 scholar Hayden Dawes sum up the lasting impact of this year’s HPRS Summer Institute, held last month in Baltimore. “HPRS has been a game changer in my PhD journey and probably my life,” said Dawes. And he’s not alone.
The 2022 Summer Institute theme, “Building a Culture of Health Together: From Vision to a New Reality,” recognized the essential role of working collectively to achieve a society where every single person has a fair and just opportunity for health and well-being. Programs throughout the three days covered topics such as building community and policy in action, and also included leadership workshops and poster sessions. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about centering health equity in research and communicating research to policymakers, including visits with policymakers on the Hill in Washington, D.C.
While there was much group engagement and opportunity to share research projects with one another, attendees also gave back to the community. Cohort 5 put together more than 100 street survival kits for Health Care for the Homeless, a Baltimore organization that provides comprehensive healthcare and supportive services to people experiencing homelessness.
On the last day of Summer Institute, after the final programming, scholars celebrated Cohort 3 and their graduation from HPRS in person at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore and online. It was an evening of cheer, gratitude, and excitement for what’s next.
Congratulations to:
Alberto Cifuentes, Andre Arriaga, Angela Adler, Ans Irfan, Anton Avanceña, Ashley Gripper, Asia Ivet, Benjamin Carter, Brigette Davis, Brie McLemore, Chioma Woko, Cristina Gomez-Vidal, Cynthia Golembeski, Denmar Lewis, Denise St. Jean, Deniss Martinez, Destiny Printz, Ezinne Nwankwo, Gabriella Alvarez, Hawi Teizazu, Jason Ashe, Jennifer Whittaker, Jocelyn Poe, Kadeem Noray, Kathleen McCarty, Kevin Wiley, Kristi Roybal, Laura Galvez, Marcela Kunkel, Matthew Bakko, Michael Rosario, Mónica Gutiérrez, Shanaé Burch, Sheridan Fuller, Sireen Irsheid, Stephanie Keeney Parks and Tiana Moore.
HPRS Summer Institute was a rewarding time to share the hard work that the scholars have been doing, have meaningful and inspiring conversations with one another and other experts, and celebrate the graduation of those moving on in their careers and fields. To be able to come together, safely and in person, meant so much to so many. We are already excited for next summer!
