She’s an avid gamer, a cat lover, and a Frisbee fanatic. She’s also an occasional explorer, who’s been to Vietnam, Mexico, France, England, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Dominican Republic. She is none other than Mekinsie Callahan.
The UO senior from Portland, Oregon is studying Global Health (GH), and is a passionate individual, especially when it comes to the health field. In fact, Callahan’s greatest inspiration in life is Jim Yong Kim, a pioneer in the world of health who has advocated bringing healthcare to places that need it the most. However, it wasn’t until joining the Students for Global Health Club here, at the University of Oregon, where Callahan got serious about pursuing a career in health. It was at this club where Callahan received the opportunity to hang out with like-minded peers, participate in fundraisers, and discuss ethically challenging matters regarding global health. This is also where Callahan discovered the Global Health minor. “The program seemed to align well with my interests, so I decided to apply,” said Callahan.
Since then, Callahan has enjoyed studying global health, as she finds it very informative and intellectually stimulating. “I have always enjoyed learning the material involved with global health as they often apply to my interests,” said Callahan. Global health has allowed Callahan to participate in exciting local health opportunities, such as volunteering with the HIV Alliance, where she serves as a testing technician, and volunteering at the Needle Exchange Program, which helps to reduce the transmission of HIV through harm reduction principles. The global health program has also taught Callahan important information on the current state health around the world. Callahan’s new knowledge on such topics has shaped the way she views health in different communities as well as change many misconceptions that she has held previously about the field.
Callahan believes that the global health minor has helped her academic growth improve significantly over the years, which has also helped her overcome her most significant challenge of anxiety involving academics. “I often feel as though I have to do correctly on every test or else I won’t have any chance for getting into graduate school. I overcame such stresses by coming to terms with the fact that whatever grade I get won’t really matter in the grand scheme of things,” said Callahan. That is why Callahan tries to enjoy what she is doing as much as possible and weed out anything that does not bring her joy. Regardless, Callahan believes in a strong work ethic.
Callahan wants to work as a physician’s assistant in the future and hopes to bring healthcare to places where it currently isn’t accessible. Callahan also has a passion for the HIV/AIDS community and wishes to use the knowledge in global health to better assimilate into the field later on. But for now, Callahan is in the process of applying and attending graduate school, where she hopes to deepen her passion and knowledge for the field of global health.
Challenges may get in Callahan’s way, but that doesn’t stop her from breaking them down. Despite the challenges along the way, Callahan is able to break down the root of the challenge and overcome the adversity. This capacity has given her the ability to follow her passion and pursue big dreams in her life, and the knowledge she has gained from the GH program will get her there.
For these reasons, Mekinsie Callahan is a Future Global Leader!
