This summer I interned in the World Bank’s Health, Nutrition, and Population Unit. Focused on the Africa Region, I worked primarily on analyzing survey data provided by government focal points in the Ministries of Health and Education. I was tasked with creating a comprehensive report on the status of school health, nutrition, and HIV/AIDS policies in various sub-Saharan countries. Throughout the summer I was able to learn from the on-site experiences of widely-recognized specialists on school health and school feeding. In addition I had the opportunity to work on planning the 40th Anniversary Celebration for the Control of River Blindness. As the World Bank’s first health initiative, the River Blindness Control program has been enormously successful due to collaborative efforts with numerous organizations including the World Health Organization, Merck, and the Gates Foundation. In planning and attending the event I had the opportunity to hear from inspiring individuals like Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra (President of Sightsavers), Jim Kim (President of the World Bank), and Roy Vagelos (Retired CEO of Merck).

One of the most valuable takeaways I gained from my experience at the World Bank was the realization that the health needs of underserved populations can often be more appropriately tackled with multi-sectoral efforts. Given my interest in pursuing a career at the intersection of health, education, and public policy, I am especially grateful that I was able to see healthcare delivery from this lens.