Jenna Patel

Jenna is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. Originally from Rhode Island, she earned her undergraduate degree at Washington University in St. Louis, where she studied Biology, Spanish, and Anthropology. In college, her involvement in GlobeMed sparked her interest in sustainable global health work. Prior to medical school, she served as an AmeriCorps member at the Rhode Island Free Clinic. At UMass, she joined the Population, Community, and Global Health Pathway and spent a summer in Cochabamba, Bolivia, conducting research on human brucellosis and rotating on the infectious disease wards. Her service and global health experiences demonstrated disparities in healthcare outcomes and the complexities of providing care in resource-limited environments, strengthening her dedication to health equity. She is applying to residencies in OB/GYN and aspires to integrate global health into her future career.

Characterization of the Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Human Brucellosis in Cochabamba, Bolivia
Viedma Hospital in Cochabamba
Bolivia
 

What does the Kean Fellowship mean to you?
I am honored to be a recipient of the Kean Fellowship. Receiving this fellowship is a unique and meaningful opportunity to engage in research focused on addressing preventable tropical diseases. I am grateful that the fellowship allows me to return to Bolivia and continue the research on brucellosis that I began during my first year of medical school.

What do you anticipate learning?
My research is aimed at understanding the clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges,and management of human brucellosis in Bolivia. I anticipate gaining insight into the burden of brucellosis on individuals and communities, as well as identifying potential public health interventions to raise awareness and improve outcomes. In addition, I look forward to broadening my clinical knowledge by learning firsthand from infectious disease physicians who diagnose and treat tropical diseases that are rare in the United States. 

What interests you about tropical medicine and what problems are you interested in solving?
My interest in tropical medicine stems from a commitment to advocating for underserved communities and addressing global health disparities. Through my global health experiences, I have witnessed the barriers patients face in accessing care and the severe impact tropical diseases can have on communities. I am drawn to global health because it deepens my understanding of the challenges of caring for diverse populations and fosters collaboration with local leaders to design sustainable, community-driven solutions. I am particularly interested in solving problems related to preventable infectious diseases and improving access to diagnostic tools and treatments.