Voices of Global Health: Driving Change

In the Olive Grove: Health and Olive Oil

In anticipation of the 7th Yale International Symposium on Olive Oil and Health, to be hosted at Yale from December 4–7, Yale Global Health Insights podcast host Dr. Sharon Chekijian sits down with Dr. Tassos Kyriakides, Assistant Professor of Biostatistics at the Yale School of Public Health and Director of the VA Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center. A scientist, researcher, and certified olive oil sommelier, Dr. Kyriakides brings a unique combination of data-driven research and cultural perspective to his work. From his upbringing in Cyprus to his leadership in international collaborations on HIV, PTSD, and clinical trial design, he reflects on how lifelong curiosity and a deep respect for food as medicine have shaped his career. He also discusses the origins of his olive oil research, the scientific evidence behind the Mediterranean diet’s health benefits, and how this work is expanding into studies on Alzheimer’s disease, metabolic health, and the gut microbiome. You can find additional details the 7th Yale International Symposium on Olive Oil and Health—”The Olive Tree and the Future of Health; Innovations for Personal, Community, and Ecosystem Well-Being”—here. [https://web.cvent.com/event/172dc884-a568-49bd-84e9-8466444f0f5b/summary]

Across Silos: Using Social Entrepreneurship for Change

In this episode of Global Health Insights, host Dr. Sharon Chekijian sits down with Dr. Teresa Chahine, Senior Lecturer at the Yale School of Management and Faculty Director of the Social Innovation Initiative at the Jackson School of Global Affairs. Dr. Chahine reflects on her journey from Lebanon to Yale, where she pioneered social entrepreneurship in global health through teaching, mentorship, and innovation. Dr. Chahine explores how entrepreneurship can disrupt the status quo in public health, addressing root causes of inequity through bold, systems-oriented approaches. She highlights the importance of teaching the next generation to move beyond problem analysis to solution-building, and discusses her vision of “framework change” in health, education, and beyond. Through personal stories of mentorship, global impact, and the balance between her home country of Lebanon and the diaspora, she highlights how every individual can become a changemaker.

Building Global Health Through Nursing Leadership: A Conversation with Dean Azita Emami

In this episode of Global Health Insights, host Dr. Sharon Chekijian sits down with Dr. Azita Emami, Dean of the Yale School of Nursing, to explore her remarkable journey across continents and disciplines in pursuit of health equity. From her early academic ambitions to leading three major nursing schools in the U.S., Dean Emami shares how her experiences shaped her commitment to global nursing leadership, immigrant health, and culturally responsive care. She discusses the importance of empowering nurses to practice to the full scope of their expertise, expanding primary care access, and developing equitable healthcare systems worldwide. She underscores the value of global citizenship, collaboration, and advocacy in transforming health outcomes.

Voices of Global Health: Driving Change

In the latest episode of Yale Global Health Insights, Dr. Sharon Chekijian [https://medicine.yale.edu/profile/sharon-chekijian/] sits down with Dr. Sten Vermund [https://health.usf.edu/publichealth/overviewcoph/faculty/svermund], a leading figure in infectious disease epidemiology and public health policy. From his groundbreaking research on HIV prevention to his global impact on healthcare access, Dr. Vermund shares his journey, insights, and the lasting influence of his work on health systems worldwide. Tune in for a conversation about the intersection of global health, policy, and the personal stories that drive transformation.

Empowering Communities in Health Solutions (Part 2)

In part two of this episode of the Global Health Insights podcast, host Dr. Sharon Chekijian continues her conversation with Dr. Albert Ko, Yale Professor and global health leader. Dr. Ko shares how his work in Brazil shaped Yale’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including groundbreaking initiatives like saliva-based testing and wastewater surveillance. They discuss lessons from the pandemic, the importance of addressing social inequities in health, and how global health paradigms can inform future emergency responses. Dr. Ko also highlights the NIH-funded Global Health Equity Scholars Program, training future leaders to tackle pressing issues like climate change, infectious diseases, and surgical care in underserved populations. The episode wraps up with reflections on leadership, community-based health solutions, and the critical role of global health in shaping the future.