The Wayne State University School of Medicine’s Global and Urban Health Equity program for medical students graduated its second cohort of scholars April 30.

Global and Urban Health Equity is a two-year seminar series offered by the WSU’s Global Health Alliance for learners to gain comprehensive knowledge and skills surrounding global health by providing local and international educational opportunities that focus on the care of underserved and vulnerable populations. The program also provides career and research mentorship in global and community health; promotes scholarly activity in global health education, public health, research methods and innovative service delivery; and education around health disparities and equity.

To obtain a GLUE Scholar certificate, scholars must participate in a global or local capstone project designed within a mentorship framework that spans a minimum of six-month preparation, and that results in a scholarly project or publication.

The organization held a virtual graduation ceremony on the online meeting platform Zoom for 11 scholars in this year’s cohort.

“Our theme was ‘Resilience and Faith in a Time of Crisis’ and we had four panelists who were professionals representing multiple faiths give inspirational remarks to encourage and equip the audience and our graduates as they progress in their career and personal journey amidst the pandemic,” said Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine-Pediatrics Ijeoma Nnodim, M.D. ’08, co-founding executive director of GLUE with Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine Kristiana Kaufman, M.D.

The panelists included Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg, an assistant professor of Pediatrics and founder of Kids Kicking Cancer, who discussed power, peace, purpose and the power of optimism.

“He also shared a breathing exercise tool – ‘Breathe in the light and blow out the darkness,’ to inspire the scholars to lead themselves, in order to lead others,” Dr. Nnodim added.

Bishop Edgar Vann, a civil rights leader in Detroit, encouraged the scholars to utilize a health equity lens and consider the role of faith and spirituality as a social determinant of health, that “can be leveraged to release hope and love in order to bring about greater unity at a divisive time like this,” she said.

Imam Mohamed Mardini reminded the scholars of the Ramadan season and encouraged them to operate in the spirit of generosity, forgiveness and collaboration. He also emphasized his mosque and community as a willing partner for community efforts.

Dr. Jennifer Peltzer-Jones shared that faith is also accessible to those without a religious belief system and can be applied toward relationships among those working toward a common goal. “This helps provide solace at a time of uncertainty,” Dr. Nnodim said.

“Mental Health Among Women in India” received the Outstanding GLUE Capstone Group of the Year Award, under the mentorship of Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine Vijaya Arun Kumar, M.D., M.P.H.

The Class of 2020 was also recognized for pulling together as a class to weather the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to Dr. Nnodim, words of encouragement were shared by faculty, including Drs. Amy Cortis, Kristiana Kaufmann, Jeffery Van Laere, Arun Kumar and Laura Kline, and School of Medicine Assistant Dean of Global Affairs Mark Zervos, M.D.

The event ended with reflections shared by the class about their own experiences of resilience and faith during the pandemic.