Michelle Hillman

Michelle grew up in Brookline, MA, and attended Lafayette College, where she majored in Biology and minored in Spanish. She spent her summers interning at Boston University School of Medicine, working with a very diverse population, which sparked an initial interest in Global Health. After college, she spent two gap years conducting lung cancer immunology research at MIT. Michelle then moved on to medical school at UMass Chan Medical School. She was accepted into the Global Health Pathway during her first year of medical school. This has contributed significantly to her knowledge and desire to continue a career in Global Health. She has also served as a Clinic Coordinator at one of Worcester's Free Clinics and as a scribe for the UMass Chan Asylum Clinic, which aids in providing medical and psychological evaluations for asylum seekers. She has conducted research domestically, examining the impact of BMI and age on cervical ripening duration and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on preeclampsia rates. She is applying to OB/GYN residencies and ultimately hopes to practice as a general OB/GYN at an academic hospital where she can continue conducting Global Health work while caring for a diverse patient population domestically. Outside of school, Michelle enjoys cooking, baking, exercising, traveling and spending time with her two cats, Java and Latte.

What does the Kean Fellowship mean to you?
Receiving the Kean Fellowship is, above all, a true honor and a privilege. Further, it allows me to spend two months of my fourth year of medical school in Kenya, conducting research that I likely would not have been able to do otherwise. It is especially meaningful to me because of all the support from my faculty mentors, Dr. Ann Moormann, Dr. Heidi Leftwich and Dr. Hellen Barsosio.

What do you anticipate learning?
While in Kisumu, I anticipate learning about the interplay between malaria and preeclampsia in the region. I will do this by collecting data from three hospitals throughout Kenya in areas with different levels of malaria transmission. Two hospitals are in areas with high malaria transmission, while one is in an area with little malaria. I will collect data regarding how and when blood pressure readings are taken in the perinatal period and what follow-up is done if an abnormal measurement is identified. I hope to use this information to understand further the higher morbidity and mortality associated with hypertensive disease of pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa compared to other regions. Beyond this, I anticipate learning firsthand about the day-to-day challenges faced when conducting Global Health research and how to think and adjust in real time to accomplish my goals. Additionally, I want to learn more about the many ways Global Health work can be incorporated into my future career as a physician.

What interests you about tropical medicine and what problems are you interested in solving?
Though I plan to pursue a career in OB/GYN, my fascination with infectious diseases initially sparked my interest in tropical medicine. My interest in tropical medicine solidified when I visited Kenya for the first time in January 2022. During this trip, I had the unique experience of helping to care for a baby with cerebral malaria. It has now been over a year since, and in that time I have worked with hundreds of patients in my clerkships. Throughout my clerkships, this Kenyan patient and my experience observing her care has remained among the most impactful and interesting cases I have seen. It left me with a lasting desire to advance malaria research and care, but now with a focus on expectant mothers in the region.