Global Health Impact Endowment

Kate Kyeremateng

Kate Kyeremateng, Biostatistics and Epidemiology

Kate Kyeremateng is a graduate student in the Epidemiology program. Trained as a nurse in Ghana, Kate has been interested in opportunities to promote health through science and research. Upon completing her bachelor’s degree in nursing, she volunteered at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Ghana and assisted in a clinical trial investigating the effectiveness of a vaccine for Lassa Fever disease in Africa. This experience sparked her interest in Epidemiology. Kate served as a nurse in rural Ghana as part of her mandatory national service. She recognized how the physical and social environment interact to shape the health of local communities. This led her to pursue research on an environmental health project led by Professor Raphael Arku in Accra, Ghana. The project was focused on examining the impacts of air and noise pollution on local communities and vulnerable populations. Kate then led the field team in the ongoing Accra birth cohort study designed to examine the impact of air pollution on maternal and child health in the city. At UMass Amherst, Kate continues to pursue her interest and seeks to leverage her training in Environmental Epidemiology to contribute to equitable health and policy initiatives with a focus on women and children in sub-Saharan Africa. Kate enjoys listening to podcasts and engaging in philosophical conversations with her friends. 

I am extremely excited and honored to receive this award. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and recognition. I hope to apply my skills in epidemiology to conduct research and support policy interventions in the Global South, starting in my native country of Ghana. Thank you for this recognition. 

Kozma-Littleton Family Fund Scholarship

Monica Silva

Monica Silva, Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Monica Silva is an upcoming undergraduate junior from Riverhead, New York, studying Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and Linguistics. When home, she works as a Special Education Aide at the Westhampton Beach Learning Center assisting children with developmental disabilities to receive the best school experience possible. 

As the recipient of the Kozma-Littleton Family Fund, I would like to thank you for gifting me this honorable award.  Thanks to your generosity, the cost of attending this university has lessened for my parents and me, and I can continue to aid bilingual children in their language acquisition. I hope to motivate other Spanish and English speakers to join the field, to see how their presence can positively influence a child’s life.  

Robert Clinton Memorial Scholarship

Gloria Walker-Hoover

Gloria Walker-Hoover, Public Health Sciences

Gloria Walker-Hoover is a junior majoring in public health science with a concentration in global health and a minor in Afro-American studies. Since childhood, she has had a passion for helping people which led her to major in public health. She finds the field interesting because of the way it is connected to other subjects and offers endless career opportunities. Within her major she is interested in conducting research, working with public health organizations, and creating frameworks and policies that promote the health and wellbeing of minority groups. After graduating with her bachelor's degree in public health she plans to continue her pursuit of global health by conducting research abroad or pursuing a master’s degree. Outside of public health, she enjoys music, painting, reading, and gardening. 

I am honored to be the recipient of the Robert Clinton Memorial Scholarship and I thank you for your generous support. The loss of my mother changed the way I view life. It made me consider the kind of impact I want to have in my personal and professional life. I want to advocate for and carry out solutions that will improve the lives of others. I am extremely grateful for this scholarship and excited to see what my upcoming semester abroad has to offer.  

Shirli Fabbri Weiss Internship Fund

Hengie Isidore

Hengie Isidore, Public Health Sciences

Hengie Isidore is a rising senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, majoring in public health and pursuing a minor in business. She is also a member of the Commonwealth Honors College at UMass. Her interest in policy and management was significantly influenced by her upbringing, with her mother working in business and finance and her father serving as a diplomat. Throughout high school, Hengie developed a fascination with the human body and the mental, spiritual, physical, emotional, and social health impact on quality of life and well-being. This passion led her to pursue her studies in public health. She has dedicated herself to understanding the complex interplay between various aspects of health and the policies that affect them. She is committed to leveraging her education to drive meaningful changes in healthcare, to improve access and outcomes for diverse populations. Hengie will begin working towards her master’s degree as a 4+ 1 student in Health Policy and Management program where she hopes to gain the necessary knowledge and credentials to have a positive impact in health policy. In her free time, Hengie enjoys listening to music, attending concerts, reading, and spending time with friends. 

I express my heartfelt gratitude for being a recipient of the Shirli Weiss Scholarship Award. I am truly honored and deeply appreciative of your generous support towards my education and internship experience. This scholarship will significantly ease my financial burden and allow me to focus more on creating a positive and rewarding experience as an intern. I am committed to making the most of this opportunity and giving back to the community in meaningful ways. This scholarship brings me one step closer to achieving my career goals of improving healthcare policies and systems, ensuring they are accessible and beneficial to all. 

Mia Michelle Tittmann

Mia Michelle Tittmann, Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Mia Tittmann is studying speech, language, and hearing sciences and is a member of the Commonwealth Honors College. Her interest in this field stems from her own experience with speech therapy and a desire to improve others' quality of life. She is an undergraduate research assistant for the Brain Research of Chronic Aphasia with Dr. Jacquie Kurland and has completed her honors thesis on BIPOC Parent Outcomes of Autistic Children. Outside of academics, she spends her time volunteering at the Newman Catholic Center, watching documentaries, and writing poetry. After graduating from UMass, Mia plans to attend graduate school to pursue a career in speech-language pathology. 

Thank you for the honor of selecting me to receive such a prestigious scholarship. As an aspiring Speech-Language Pathologist, I need to gain as much experience as possible to improve myself, and the work that I do, and this award will aid in my ability to put my all into my internship at Tate Behavioral.

Yasmine Tighiouart

Yasmine Tighiouart, Public Health Sciences

Yasmine Tighiouart is a junior majoring in public health policy and minoring in Arabic. From an early age, she was inspired by her father who was a biostatistician. This early exposure to public health inspired her to pursue a career as a biostatistician. Her fascination with research and using mathematics to address health disparities drives her professional pursuits in helping underserved communities. Beyond academics, Yasmine is a campus tour guide and is involved in various organizations including the Muslim Student Association and the Arab Cultural Association. She also served as an undergraduate teaching assistant.

I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for the Shirli Fabbri Weiss Scholarship. This scholarship not only alleviates the financial burden of my education but also inspires me to continue striving toward becoming a biostatistician. As a first-generation Algerian and Palestinian American, pursuing higher education holds special significance to me, as many people from my background do not have the same opportunities. Thank you for believing in my potential and your commitment to supporting students like me. Your generosity is an investment in my education and the future of public health. I am beyond grateful for this scholarship. 

The Yablonski Fellowship Fund

Abigail Zelvis

Abigail Zelvis, Health Promotion and Policy

Abigail Zelvis is a Master of Public Health (MPH) student in the Health Policy and Management program through the Department of Health Promotion and Policy. Abigail completed her practicum as a governor relations intern at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island. She assisted with the development and implementation of the company’s healthcare policy initiatives, gaining valuable experience in policy analysis, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement. During her practicum, Abigail worked on various projects that aimed to improve healthcare access and quality, including research on legislative proposals and their potential impacts on the healthcare system. Her work contributed to the successful advancement of several key policy initiatives. With a solid foundation in public health and business, Abigail is passionate about shaping health policy to create equitable and efficient healthcare systems. After graduation, she hopes to continue to work in the health policy field, focusing on areas such as healthcare reform, health equity, and public health advocacy. Abigail aspires to influence policy decisions that enhance public health outcomes and ensure that healthcare services are accessible and affordable for all. 

I want to express my sincere gratitude for your generous support of my educational journey as an MPH student. This scholarship has been crucial in allowing me to follow my dreams and work towards making a difference in the world of health policy. Thank you once again for your generosity and belief in my potential. 

William A. Darity Sr. Graduate Scholarship

Autumn Reynolds

Autumn Reynolds, Health Promotion and Policy

Autumn Reynolds is pursuing her accelerated master's degree in health policy and management (MPH) at UMass Amherst. With a deep-rooted passion for health equity and diversity, Autumn is a dedicated advocate for creating inclusive environments and fostering positive social change. Throughout her academic journey, Autumn has actively worked towards advancing health equity and social diversity in the world. 

Your generosity has eased my financial burden along with providing me with the motivation to pursue my passion for health equity. Throughout my academic journey, I have been committed to creating inclusive environments and fostering positive social change in my communities. Your support is instrumental in helping me continue this important work. I am grateful and inspired by your generosity.