Name: Tomás

Year: Senior

Major: Psychology

Minor: Global Health Studies

CFS Program: Field Studies in Public Health

I have dedicated most of my experiences as an undergraduate to prepare for a career in public health. While most of it has been focused on health research and intervention development, I have always wanted to work at an organization that works with specific populations. This spring quarter, as part of Chicago Field Studies, I have the opportunity of interning at The Marjorie Kovler Center.

This organization, under Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights, provides medical, psychological, legal, and other social services specifically to individuals who have been victims of political torture. Many of the clients in the past couple of years, for example, have come from countries in Central America and West Africa. As a case management intern I work with three other staff to ensure that every client that stops by, appointment or not, gets the services he or she requests.

My time at Kovler has been nothing short of a positive experience. Getting to look how politics and social structures have a strong influence on health outcomes has made me understand yet another role of the field of public health. Furthermore, it has solidified my interest in non-profit social justice and social research work. As the quarter comes to an end, I expect to conclude my internship and class on a high note by looking toward the future and the role that I can play in eliminating health disparities.