Student Spotlight: Alex Harrington

Alex Harrington, currently a second year student at DUCOM recently shared the details of his amazing summer Internship with us. Through the Drexel University Office of International Programs, Alex completed the Global Health Fellows Program in Geneva through Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy. this consisted of an eight week internship at the World Health Organization (WHO) with the Gender, Equity, and Human Rights Team. Alex was able to work with some of the biggest public health leaders in the world on strategies for mainstreaming gender, health equity, and human rights approaches throughout various WHO affiliates and government offices. The internship also consisted of an intensive one week course . Interns were given the opportunity to  listen to and question WHO officers from all the different departments as well as go on site visits to organizations such as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Global Polio Eradication Initiative, Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria, UNITAID, South Centre, and MSF among others.

Alex has this to say about his experiences at the WHO:
"I met so many passionate people doing real work in public health, but the best part was the stimulating conversations I had with so many critical thinking people. No conversations could conclude with “that's just the way the world is,” and you couldn't get away with political talking points, generalizing labels, and empty arguments lacking substance. It was an environment where everything was allowed to be challenged, and before you criticize another country or group of people, you had to truly evaluate and examine the actions and responsibilities of yourself and your own country first." 

In addition to this internship, Alex worked in Ghana on various maternal health, engineering, and public health research projects as an undergraduate. He has also worked on similar projects in both Philadelphia and Detroit. 

Congratulations on a wonderful experience Alex! continue to make a strong impact in public health as your further your medical career! 

Alex Harrington, Class of 2016 at the Assembly Hall of Palais Des Nations
at the United Nations office in Geneva
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