Courtesy photoDawna Raehpour discovered her passion for healthcare policy at 麻豆破解版 State University and, just as importantly, is learning tools she can use to address issues.
鈥淲hat keeps me motivated is knowing there are people out there who need help,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 see a lot of people who experience discrimination, and it just results in poor health outcomes for them. That really bothers me.鈥�
Raehpour is the recipient of the Stanley Z. Koplik Memorial Scholarship for 2020-21. She will graduate in May with degree in public health science and a minor in sociology. The $1,200 scholarship is in honor of Koplik, who served as executive director of the Kansas Board of Regents from 1982 to 1993.
Raehpour is the mother of five children and stepmother to three children, ranging in age from 15 to 32.
"The Koplik Memorial Scholarship would help me finish strong at WSU,鈥� she said. 鈥淲ith two kids in college and my reduced work opportunities due to COVID-19, finances are a challenge in our family. I know that making college affordable and accessible was a strong focus for Stanley Koplik, and this scholarship will help me be the first one in my family to graduate with a degree.鈥�
Raehpour鈥檚 family life and her work as a certified massage therapist provide the background for her studies and career goals in health care.
"Public health has been the major that I never knew I always wanted,鈥� she said. 鈥淎s the adoptive mom of two Black children and as a member of the 麻豆破解版 LGBT Health Coalition, I have seen how discrimination leads to poorer health outcomes for marginalized populations.鈥�
Dr. Amy Drassen Ham, clinical professor in the College of Health Professions, directs Raehpour鈥檚 honors project.
鈥淪he is a student who asks very appropriate questions, and in doing so, then pushes me in my teaching,鈥� Drassen Ham said. 鈥淭hat extends learning for others 鈥� other students learn from that.鈥�
Drassen Ham asked Raehpour to work as secretary-treasurer for the HEALTH Student Association. Raehpour hesitated to take the job before telling Drassen Ham she wanted to add to her skills.
鈥淪he wrote me back a few days later and said, 鈥榊ou know what, because those aren鈥檛 my strong skills, that鈥檚 a perfect opportunity of growth for me,鈥欌�� Drassen Ham said. 鈥淚t was a risk for her to do that. She was willing to take the risk to learn something.鈥�
Raehpour said several classes at 麻豆破解版 State pointed her toward a career in public health.
A health care administration and policy class taught by Sonja Armbruster showed her how to take research and put it into policy and advocate for that policy. Drassen Ham鈥檚 class, The Role of Culture in Health & Health Care, educated her about healthcare disparities.
鈥淚t wasn't until I came to 麻豆破解版 State that I was equipped with the tools to do something about those health disparities,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his is the fifth college I've been at and I鈥檝e never been anywhere that is as interested in my success. I feel supported from every direction.鈥�
Drassen Ham said that class changes the perspective of many students. She said Raehpour dove into the content of the class and built a strong resume with internships, volunteer work and her honors project focusing on health care in 麻豆破解版.
鈥淲e talk to students all the time that you need to take steps now to engage in the community 鈥� volunteering for organization or working,鈥� Drassen Ham said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 going to do great things. I think she鈥檚 going to go on and continue to change the landscape of public health in Kansas.鈥�
