Hui Zou is a second-year student in our Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health MPH program. Hui is a Double Bear who completed her undergraduate degree in Sociology, where she was first introduced to the world of MCAH while working as a research assistant for an egg donor research project at UCSF. This fueled her passion for maternal health, leading her to delve further into women's reproductive choices using assisted reproductive technology and the impact of laws on individual decisions. Recently, Hui completed an internship at Kaiser Permanente, where she played a pivotal role in establishing a patient advisory group for a community health equity project.
Interview with Hui Zou
We met with her to learn more about the experiences and insights she garnered during her time there from October to December.
Can you start by providing an overview of your internship? What were the primary objectives, key responsibilities, and specific projects or initiatives you were involved in during your time there?
HZ: During my internship at Adult and Family Medicine, my primary objective was to lay the groundwork for a patient advisory group as part of the community health equity project. My key responsibilities ranged from budget planning to the development of comprehensive recruitment strategies. I crafted the advisory group meeting protocols and member consent forms, designed recruitment materials, and constructed pre and post meeting surveys. I also created a detailed evaluation plan to assess the project's impact. The role afforded me flexibility and autonomy, allowing me to work at my own pace, while also offering extensive learning opportunities through internal development training and cross-departmental engagement. At the end of my internship, I submitted an exit plan that included the handover of completed tasks and a list for subsequent follow-up.
What are examples from your internship that enhanced your understanding of maternal, child, and adolescent health (MCAH)?
HZ: My internship significantly deepened my understanding of maternal, child, and adolescent health (MCAH). Engaging in discussions with the heads of OB-GYN, Pediatrics, and Genetics department illuminated the hospital's dedication and strategies to enhancing MCAH services. These insights also came from exploring initiatives like breastfeeding promotion, group pregnancy check-ups, genetic screening programs and support for new parents through various classes and promoting lifestyle change through patient education. Additionally, observing the Centering and One Village programs provided me with firsthand experience of group care models that foster community bonds and lead to improved health outcomes for mothers and children.
What insights did you gain about yourself during your internship, and how have these insights contributed to your professional growth?
HZ: The internship taught me the value of stepping outside my comfort zone. Previously inclined to play it safe, I discovered that embracing challenges and engaging with unfamiliar tasks not only enriches my learning and boosts my confidence, but also helps me extend my boundaries and identify shortcomings. This revelation has been instrumental in my professional development, opening my eyes to seek out new areas of growth and innovation in my future career endeavors.
What was your favorite part about your internship and why?
HZ: My favorite part of the internship was the remarkable support and recognition from my team and supervisors. Regular team meetings to deliberate on project specifics were complemented by dedicated support from my immediate supervisor, who gave me invaluable and timely feedback to my project. The networking opportunities provided were beyond what I had anticipated.This nurturing environment facilitated my professional development, and made my internship experience truly rewarding.
How did you apply theoretical knowledge gained from your academic coursework to real-world situations during your internship, particularly in projects where you had to analyze complex data or information? What were the outcomes, and how did this contribute to the development of your critical thinking skills?
HZ: In my internship, I leveraged my academic insights on racial discrimination and healthcare disparities within a practical framework. Aligning with the project "Listening to Black Californians," the objective of our project was to reduce health disparities affecting the Black/African American community by enhancing care quality and fostering trust between them and health professionals. I developed a thorough interview protocol, scrutinizing the patient care journey from the clinic's environment to interactions with staff and clinical care. This comprehensive approach to patient experience was critical in pinpointing areas for improvement, service gaps, and opportunities to enhance care. This process refined my critical thinking skills, allowing me to navigate and propose solutions for the complex healthcare challenges faced by minority groups.
How did your work engage with the Life Course Perspective theory and/or Social Determinants of Health?
HZ: My internship project revolved around the Social Determinants of Health, addressing the deep-seated health disparities among the Black population rooted in systemic injustice and historical racism. Our efforts were geared towards rectifying past injustices and narrowing the health disparity created by a long history of racial discrimination. By establishing a patient advisory group, we recognize that health trajectories are shaped by a wider socio-historical context. This group acted as a voice for the community, empowering them to influence health outcomes and address the social determinants impacting their lives.
