This is one in a series of stories showcasing MGHD Class of 2022 graduands.

As a medical doctor from Ethiopia, Mahlet Tadesse Admasu was always interested in mental health and aspired to understand the human brain in order to improve people’s mental well-being not only in her country but also globally. Learning from an alum about UGHE, she joined the MGHD program in the One Health Option to explore more about her aspirations and be trained to dismantle systematic injustices she witnessed in her medical profession.

“What fascinated me about UGHE is the fact that the global health sciences university is based in Rwanda and how the One Health Program is developed with a perspective of the community it is meant to serve. I have learnt that humans, animals, and the environment are interconnected throughout their existence and, consequently, also in terms of their health.” says Dr. Mahlet.

Dr. Mahlet’s desire to pursue the MGHD program in the One Health track stems from her conviction that looking at the triad of One Health through the lens of the relationship that exists between humans, animals, and the environment, particularly Africa, makes it possible to consider populations that are continuously disregarded in the development of health programs. “That drew me to UGHE and the One Health track”, she states. 

UGHE prioritizes hands-on and practical field experience for the students. Mahlet together with her cohort were exposed to problem based and experiential learning with incorporated case studies, group work, and field visits. They gained experience in evidence-based problem solving, health delivery and management through their mentored practicum which fosters professional development and career network and equips them with effective problem-solving skills.

Now ready to implement the knowledge and competencies she received from the program, Dr. Mahlet shares how the One Health Approach may assist humans, animals, and the environment achieve optimal health. She explains that humans, animals, and the environment are interconnected throughout their existence and, consequently, also in terms of their health.

“In areas where funding for healthcare systems is limited, the One Health approach is a cost-effective way of reaching optimal health for humans, animals, and the environment. We can simply look at the surveillance and response of diseases that we have set up that clearly have been failing at a global level. This approach averts financial barriers because we can look at problems from different ends of the cause and utilize our resources to reach a common goal.”

The Master of Science in Global Health Delivery class of 2022, which will graduate on August 28, 2022, has been prepared to use their skills, abilities, and collaborations to address the critical social and systemic forces causing health care delivery inequities and inefficiencies. They are thrilled to join a network of alumni who are now leaders, advocates, and agents of change for equitable health care delivery and systems.