September 2023 eMagazine Supplementary Issue

September 2023 Volume 1 

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

NUVANCE HEALTH AND THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT LARNER COLLEGE OF MEDICINE 

Global Health eMagazine 

Global Health 

eMagazine 

September 2023 

Supplementary 

Issue 

NUVANCE HEALTH 

Global Health Program 

LARNER COLLEGE OF MEDICINE 

Supplementary Issue to September 2023 eMagazine 

Youth Academy for Latin Leaders 

Academia Juvenil Para Lideres Latinos 

ACADEMIA JUVENIL DE LIDERES LATINO 

YOUTH ACADEMY FOR LATINO LEADERS 


















Isabella Valenzuela 

Freshman 

Interests: Music, Singing, Dentistry 

Research Topic: Neurology 

Hermin Odoniel Almonte Fernández 

Freshman 

Interests: Piano, Trombone 

Research Topic: Trauma Psychology 

Barbara Esperanza Luna Merchan 

Freshman 

Interests: Art, Modeling, Volunteering 

Research Topic: Alzheimers 






















Blaymin Fabian 

Freshman 

Interests: Art, Reading, Immigration Law 

Research Topic: Mental Health 

Daniella Valenzuela 

Freshman 

Interests: Rollerskating, Track, Finance 

Research Topic: Health and Technology 

Shaila Rodriguez 

Freshman 

Interests: Sports, Languages, Art 

Research Topic: Alzheimers

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Youth Academy for Latino Leaders 

Global Health 





YOUTH ACADEMY FOR 

LATINO LEADERS 

COLLABORATION 

CELEBRATING SUCCESS 

GLOBAL HEALTH ACADEMY 

INAUGURAL PROJECT 

Y.A.L.L. 

BIOSKETCHES AND 

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PREVIOUS ISSUES OF 

THE EMAGAZINE 

Written by Eva Maria Duran 

DCC President 

I have had the pleasure of meeting an amazing human being and that is Dr. 

Sadigh. With his knowledge and the ability to help others he has helped the DCC 

to open a door to our future graduates and a peek of what they can become. 

Dr. Sadigh’s vision along with DCC, has led us to accomplish this great program 

that we call Y.A.L.L-Youth Academy for Latino Leaders. This Academy was put 

together by a small group of people in a short amount of time. What once was 

just a small talk, became real in no time. We cover areas such as Finance, Health, 

Leadership, Civics (Community) and bring it to the students in a way that they 

would want to learn more about it. 

The YALL program started with 6 students that had just finished middle school to 

move on to high school. These students were nervous and scared that you could 

see it in their faces, you could hear it in their voices. It was 4 weeks of engagement 

with the students and facilitators, and other members that made the program 

run smoothly and enjoyable, that at the end of the program it was hard to say 

goodbye. 

All I can say today is that I am very grateful to Dr. Sadigh for trusting this group of 

people and putting in our hands his vision and making it a reality. There is more of 

YALL to come, stick around and let’s keep inspiring others. 

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The Rewarding Collaboration Between the 

Nuvance Health Global Health Program and 

the Dominican Community Center 

Written by Elvis Novas 

Advisor for the Dominican Community Center and 

member of the Board of Directors of Housatonic 

Habitat for Humanity, Danbury, CT 

What started as a dream, helped fill a group of 

excellent young high school students freshmen 

in the city of Danbury, CT with knowledge and 

motivation. 

The great visionary Dr. Majid Sadigh came up with the idea of finding a way to 

provide the future young leaders of our Latino community with a program that 

could provide the fundamentals in different areas and consequently help create 

the foundation they would need for a successful future. 

Given the friendly collaborations established between the Global Health Program 

and the Dominican Community Center, Dr. Sadigh presented us with the great idea 

which created a great expectation in our organization from the very beginning 

knowing the benefits this could bring to our Latino community in Danbury, while 

giving us the opportunity to contribute with our ideas and considerations. 

We were able to create an excellent working committee led by a promising young 

member of our organization and community, Jason Nova, and the logistic support 

of Javier Rincon MS3 UVM and Jett Choquette, MD. After meeting for weeks, we 

were able to turn the idea into a magnificent project. This project was based 

on a four (4) week program: one day per week of 6 hours, where we would be 

imparting basic knowledge in four educational areas: Leadership, Finance, Health 

& Wellness, and Civic Engagement. 

We focused our recruitment efforts on gathering promising young students for 

their first year of high school. We recruited a group of excellent, curious young 

people with a desire for personal and educational development. In the beginning 

they were extremely shy and a little hesitant about what to expect from the 

program, but by the end we had a group of young students actively involved, and 

more confident in themselves and their interests as they looked to the future. It 

was exciting to see how they evolved through the sessions! It was really rewarding 

for everyone. 

I must highlight the excellent work and the willingness to cooperate of the 

facilitators: Wilson Hernandez, Brigid Guertin, Denisse Roda, Diana Merchan, 

Nelson Merchan, Elke Sweeney, Rep. Farley Santos, Javier Rincon MS3 UVM and 

Collaboration continued on next page >> 

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Elsabel Rincon. As well as the support teams of the Dominican Community Center 

headed by its president Eva Duran, project leader Jason Nova, Olga Mejia, 

Jacqueline Cabrera, Zoraida Cabrera, among others. Also, it is worth mentioning 

the great work in the shadowing sessions of the staff of the Danbury Hospital that 

was involved, the Savings Bank of Danbury and the Danbury Museum. 

I can conclude by saying that the magnificent idea and great support of Dr. 

Sadigh, the support of Dr. Parve, the manager of the Nuvance Health Global 

Health Academy and the NUVANCE-Global Health Program, the willingness and 

commitment of the excellent team at the Dominican Community Center, the 

cooperation of an entire community (including facilitators and mentors) and the 

determination of a group of young future leaders of our Latino community, created 

the antecedent that together we can achieve a better community and therefore 

a better society. I’m looking forward to future projects between NUVANCE-Global 

Health and the Dominican Community Center. Congratulations! 



COLLABORATION 




Y.A.L.L. 


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Rose Schwartz 

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Celebrating the Success of the First 

Graduates of the Nuvance Health Majid 

Sadigh, MD Global Health Academy! 

Written by Swapnil Parve, MD, PhD 

The manager of the Nuvance Health Majid Sadigh, MD 

Global Health Academy 

Dear esteemed community members, 

We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt 

congratulations to the first cohort of graduates 

of the “Youth Academy for Latino Leaders” from 

the Nuvance Health Majid Sadigh, MD Global 

Health Academy. This remarkable achievement 

is a testament to the dedication and hard work 

exhibited by the students and those who made 

this program possible. 

A special recognition goes to the Dominican Community Center (DCC) for their 

visionary thinking in conceptualizing this program. They diligently identified 

talented students, developed a comprehensive curriculum, and brought together 

influential leaders from minority communities to deliver an enriching educational 

experience. 

The Nuvance Health Majid Sadigh, MD Global Health Academy, is exceptionally 

proud of its partnership with the DCC, an organization that shares our commitment 

to empowering young minds. We believe the Youth Academy for Latino Leaders 

(YALL) is a fine example of our partnership with the local community, as together, 

we aim to nurture future leaders who will positively impact local global health 

initiatives. 

The Global Health Academy would like to express deep gratitude to the DCC for 

their unwavering energy and creativity throughout this journey. I want to thank 

Mr. Elvis Novas, Ms. Eva Maria Duran, Jason Nova, and Javier Ricon for making 

this project a reality. We value your dedication to creating opportunities for 

underrepresented students and paving their way toward success. We eagerly 

look forward to welcoming these exceptional individuals back during their high 

school years as they continue their educational endeavors. 

To our graduates, know that you have our unwavering support as you embark on 

new journeys beyond the Global Health Academy. We believe in your potential 

and encourage you to pursue your dreams with confidence. Remember that you 

are not alone - the Nuvance Health Majid Sadigh, MD Global Health Academy, 

with DCC, will be there every step, offering guidance and mentorship whenever 

needed. 

Once again, congratulations on this significant milestone! Your achievements 

inspire us all and reaffirm our commitment to fostering inclusive education within 

our community. 

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The Global Health Academy Inaugural 

Project; The Youth Academy 

for Latino Leaders (Y.A.L.L) 

Written by 

Wendi Cusina, BS, CPM, PACT 

Manager, Global Health Program 

Manager/Administrator, Policy Governance 

KYRUUS Administrator 

On July 19, 2023, The Majid Sadigh MD Global 

Health Academy opened its doors to host the 

first of many educational projects. Our inaugural 

class consisted of six high school students from 

the local latinX communities of Danbury. The 

students engaged in a four-week diversified curriculum which included field trips 

to local establishments as well as attending workshops moderated by latinx 

community leaders discussing the importance of sound leadership, goal setting, 

financial literacy, civic engagement, and health and wellness. The Youth Academy 

for Latino Leaders (Y.A.L.L) is designed to be longitudinal in design and to instruct 

the students to accomplish their scholarly activities optimally throughout their 

high school years as well as welcoming a new cohort of incoming first year high 

school students each summer. The reflections provided by the students at the 

conclusion of the 4 weeks, will help us to improve the program’s curriculum each 

year. We are forever grateful to the vision of the DCC leadership including Eva 

Duran, Elvis Novas, Jason Nova, and of course Javier Rincon. We look forward to 

continued collaboration and partnership for many years to come. 


THE EMAGAZINE 

Click here to visit the Nuvance 

Health Global Health Program 

COVID-19 Resource Center 

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Y.A.L.L. 

Youth Academy for Latino Leaders 

Written by Javier Ricon 

UVMLCOM 2025 

During the past month, I was tasked with 

coordinating and teaching a summer academy 

for Latino high school students from low resource 

households. The project was to be created 

and carried out by the Dominican Community 

Center with support from the Nuvance Global 

Health Academy. The goal of the program was 

to introduce the students to life skills that many 

of their peers have the opportunity to learn, 

but they are often deprived of attaining. For 

example, financial literacy, leadership skills and basic knowledge of health. Shaila 

Rodriguez, a current student , noted that “What fascinated me the most about 

the program was the power to develop new skills or knowledge. If it hadn’t been 

for this program, I probably would have stayed home bored.” And sadly, the lack 

of these skills can have a rippling effect through generations. Because if we don’t 

have the opportunity to learn these skills, we can’t pass them onto the ones that 

come after us. Thus creating a cycle of inequality. We aimed to break that cycle. 

I knew the task would be challenging, and in the end, it exceeded all my 

expectations. Not only in difficulty, but also in the sense of accomplishment and the 


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Graduate Students with leaderships from DCC and Nuvance Health and 

UVMLCOM Global Health Program 

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Y.A.L.L. continued on next page >>

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number of surprises. Surprise from the insight many of the young students brought 

to the group. I can easily recall how difficult it was to be their age, and the trauma 

of the transition from middle school to high school as a minority first-generation 

student. If your parents haven’t had the opportunity to have that experience, it’s 

unlikely they’d be able to help you navigate its complexities. If I may be allowed 

to say it was difficult to be a teenager 20 years ago, it is only fair to say that it 

is many magnitudes more complex and difficult today. The pressure teenagers 

must deal with from their peers, social media culture insisting that their lives be 

perpetually recorded and broadcasted, and the expectations from their parents 

can amount to a Sisyphean task. And yet, the students continue to surprise me 

with how bravely they keep walking through that minefield. 

One aspect of the program we insisted on from the beginning, and in my mind, one 

of the main objectives that set it apart from other summer educational programs, 

was that all the instructors and volunteers would be minority community leaders 

and subject matter experts from the local community. We strongly believed that it 

was not enough to introduce the students to these new subjects and possibilities. 

We needed to show them examples of people they could identify with. People 

that looked and spoke like them and had achieved the goals we were setting 

before them. 




Y.A.L.L. 


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Graduate Students with leaderships from DCC and Nuvance Health and 

UVMLCOM Global Health Program 

As a medical student, I have had the privilege of accessing many incredible 

opportunities and experiences. One such experience was a recent visit to 

Danbury Hospital by a traveling exhibit that highlighted African American 

surgeons. The exhibit was created by the NIH to encourage more students of 

color to apply to surgical specialties and was accompanied by a speech by Dr. 

Ramon Batson MD. Dr. Batson is a highly respected and successful Neurosurgeon. 

During the question answer portion, a Caucasian surgeon in the crowd asked why 

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graduating medical students of color were not applying to surgical programs. 

Dr. Batson and an African American surgery resident both answered that it is 

hard to aspire to be something when one doesn’t have role models to look up 

to and identify with in those positions. The surgeon who asked the question had 

a hard time understanding how the lack of people that look like us in a certain 

position, prevents us from applying to that field. I would say it’s not a matter of 

active prevention, it’s more of a subconscious awareness that such positions are 

out of our reach. When designing the curriculum for the summer academy, all 

the members of the Dominican Community Center agreed that this barrier could 

easily be broken by providing even just one example of someone that was able 

to achieve something that as young students, we couldn’t have dreamt of. In the 

end, we didn’t just find one lecturer who was of a minority background, all the 

lecturers were minority community leaders and business owners who volunteered 

their time because they believed in our mission. 

On the last day of classes, we ended with a trip to the Clinical Simulation Lab at 

Danbury Hospital. There, the students had a chance to be medical students for 

a day. They were able to use the different mannequins to listen to heart sounds, 

lung sounds, learn the importance and meaning of vital signs, and practice CPR. 

At the end of course, I asked the students to reflect on their experiences during 

their short time with us. The students almost unanimously said that seeing people 

of minority backgrounds who had so many great achievements, made them strive 

for goals they previously would not have considered. As current student Daniella 

Valenzuela put it, “It gave me a new perspective on professions I had never 

thought about. The different experiences during the field trips have inspired me 

to pursue a career in the medical field.” Another student, Blaymin Fabian, added 

that “The classes have opened my eyes to ways to help my community, to do 

more volunteering and overall help others.” 

We hope to continue to welcome these students back during the entirety of their 

high school careers. And ideally accept a new class of high school freshman next 

year. If we were able to achieve this in 24 hours of instruction, in 4 days spread 

out over four weeks in the summer, I’m excited to see what these students can 

accomplish over the next four years. We will continue to strive to create a class 

of community leaders that will better represent the Danbury community, and 

thus be able to identify and find solutions for issues within the community. And I 

wholeheartedly believe that the Youth Academy for Latino Leaders can achieve 

this goal. 

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Youth Academy for Latino Leaders (Y.A.L.L.) 

Written by Jacqueline Cabrera 

Jacqueline is a Dominican-American, abstract artist 

who has always been fascinated by the beauty of 

nature and people. She studied sociology at Baruch 

College in New York City, but as she pursued her 

degree, she realized that there was more to life than 

just theory. She had always been artistically inclined, 

but she felt like she couldn’t create the same kind of 

work as others. 

What began as ideas swiftly transformed into 

actionable steps. We convened regular meetings, 

both in person and virtually. Several months later, the 

Youth Academy for Latino Leaders (Y.A.L.L.) came into 

being. A collaboration between the Dominican Community Center and Nuvance 

Global Health Academy birthed Y.A.L.L. Its fundamental mission is to cultivate 

college-ready students and, through them, foster informed, active Latino 

communities that serve as assimilation hubs for newly arriving migrant families. 

In January, our inaugural meeting took place. This provided an opportunity not 

only to discuss the program but also to share details about our personal lives. As 

weeks progressed, we forged stronger connections, establishing the bedrock of 

positive and supportive relationships that would underpin the entire initiative. 

Each of us contributed, ensuring that our voices were heard, and participation 

was equal among all. I’d like to highlight Jason Nova, our DCC Secretary, who 

maintained a vigilant eye on our timeliness and focus. He served as the architect 

of this project, guiding our efforts to stay on track. 

Crafting this endeavor proved to be an immensely rewarding experience for me. 

Throughout my life, and I am confident this holds true for my peers as well, mentors 

have played a significant role. Others often help us discover what we may not see 

in ourselves, shaping our identities in the process. 

The Youth Academy for Latino Leaders emerged from the collaboration of 

community leaders in Danbury, our cherished city. The explicit objective was to 

enhance the quality of life for our graduates. Drawing from community data and 

our own experiences, we formulated the program’s objectives. 

This goal will be achieved by ensuring our graduates acquire self-development 

skills through the mentorship experiences provided by their mentors and facilitators. 

Situated in Danbury, the Dominican Community Center is within the Alliance 

Districts, where the lowest-performing schools in the state are located. Danbury’s 

Next Generation Accountability Index, at 66.8, reflects the students’ readiness for 

college. Our aspiration is to bridge this gap and improve our students’ college 

outcomes. 

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I was pleased to learn that the academy would commence with 9th graders. 

Adolescence is a tumultuous period, and the prospect of offering support during 

these formative years is exceptional. For me, ninth grade proved to be particularly 

challenging. Arriving in the United States in June of 2003 with my siblings, entering 

my second year as an immigrant, coupled with adjusting to a significantly larger 

school, posed considerable difficulties. Although some familiar faces from my 

middle school were present, most were in different classes. Throughout that year, 

I grappled with feelings of disorientation and fear. I am convinced that having a 

support system akin to the Y.A.L.L. program would have significantly altered my 

experience. 

At the core of this academy lies our commitment to fostering our students’ postsecondary 

success.An integral component of our strategy involves building 

partnerships with students’ parents. Research underscores the positive impact of 

family involvement on academic outcomes. 



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Group photo at Academy 

Mentoring is a gift that is meant to be shared. No one forges their path alone; 

we all need a community to ensure our students’ success. Every individual who 

contributed to the inception of this project devoted countless hours to guarantee 

its execution with the utmost quality, all for the betterment of our students. 

Just this past Wednesday, the academy was officially launched. Time has flown 

since our inception. Our students gathered, acquainting themselves with one 

another. Interestingly, all of them will be attending Danbury High School in the fall. 

Each has now gained five friends before the school year even begins. The day 

commenced with words of motivation and encouragement from Dr. Majid Sadigh, 

the Director of Global Health at Nuvance Health, representing himself and his family 

in announcing the gift of a Chromebook laptop for each student participating in 

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REFLECTIONS 

the Summer Program. The first session, held in the morning, focused on leadership, 

followed by an afternoon session on personal finance. Subsequently, a tour of 

Danbury Savings Bank Headquarters took place, accompanied by our State 

Representative, Farley Santos. The very first day turned out to be a significant 

highlight. 

As the program concludes, our hope is that students will emerge equipped with 

knowledge and self-confidence, assured of their rightful place in any setting. They 

belong. My fellow program developers and I share that, as individuals of Latino 

descent, we have all faced unique challenges and obstacles. The color of their 

skin should not be a barrier to accessing spaces where they rightfully belong. 

Our Young Latino Leaders represent the voice of their generation. Empowering 

them to exercise their right to be independent and free necessitates nurturing their 

voices. I extend an invitation to you to engage with your community, to become 

the older brother or sister that our young Latino Leaders need. Your impact will 

undoubtedly make a profound difference in their lives. 

Y.A.L.L. was meticulously crafted through the combined efforts of representatives 

from the Dominican Community Center: President Eva Maria Duran, Board 

members Olga Mejia and Jackie Cabrera, Secretary Jason Nova, and Advisor 

Elvis Novas. Additionally, representatives from Nuvance Global Health Academy, 

Dr. Jett Choquette and Student Dr. Javier Rincon, lent their contributions. All of 

this was overseen by the exceptional vision and leadership of Dr. Majid Sadigh. 

If you would like to get involved in our programs, please reach out to the Dominican 

Community Center via our website WWW.DOMINICANCOMMUNITYCENTER.ORG 

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Biosketches and Reflections 

Global Health 







Hello, my name is Hermin Almonte, and 

I am 14 years old and will be going to 

Waterbury Arts Magnet School for High 

School. Music is my favorite topic to 

talk about. My instrument of choice has 

been the Trombone ever since I was in 

the fourth grade. Now in my freshman 

year of High School I will take piano 

classes. 

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Reflection 

My time in the program provided a gratifying learning experience, very much like 

school. Each session covered various topics, featuring repetitive moments—often 

starting with a slide, occasionally followed by a quick tour or additional facts. 

The initial excitement dwindled after the second session, leaving me fatigued by 

the first two hours. This exhaustion affected my focus during longer segments, 

like videos and extended discussions. Lunch breaks offered brief moments of 

relaxation, yet returning to the meeting room felt like another lecture, albeit with 

heartier snacks. 

Subsequent activities after lessons were decent but resembled more of a tour 

than immersive learning. The third session echoed a school-like atmosphere, 

consisting primarily of talks and video/slideshow observations. Unfortunately, 

during this time, engaging with my mentor about the project proved challenging. 

However, the final session’s blend of learning and activities compensated for the 

lackluster third session. It proved enjoyable and offered a fresh perspective on the 

physical demands of medical practices. 

In conclusion, the program boasted both advantages and drawbacks. Despite 

this, it delivered an enjoyable experience that expanded my understanding of 

various subjects. 

Biosketches and Reflections continued on next page >> 

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My name is Blaymin Fabian, and I am an 

upcoming high school student. I aspired 

to become a lawyer because I would 

like to give back to my community and 

help others. I’m debating what type of 

lawyer I would like to be. I had the idea 

to become a lawyer after seeing all the 

different types such as immigration, 

real estate, and so many more. These 

experiences helped me think about the 

complexities of each type that sets them 

apart. I prefer immigration because my 

family are immigrants. I would be able 

to help my family, help other families be 

reunited and solve their legal problems. Although I was born in the states, 

my life is very diverse thanks to my Dominican and Mexican heritage. 

Being different can be difficult at times, but I’m proud of my two different 

cultures. Some of my hobbies are drawing, painting, and reading. I love 

to draw and have been doing so I can remember. I’ve collected various 

notebooks of sketches. After joining the Dominican Community Center 

program, I learned a lot. The classes have opened my eyes to ways to help 

my community, to do more volunteering and overall help others. 

Reflection 

When I first entered the hospital, I was incredibly nervous and felt sick to my 

stomach due to the uncertainty of the situation. As I walked into the hospital 

building, my anxiety began to ease. I felt genuinely welcomed and quickly 

connected with everyone during our introductions. This feeling stemmed from the 

down-to-earth nature of everyone and our shared cultural and interest-based 

connections. The small class sizes also contributed to my sense of belonging. I 

appreciated how these intimate classes helped me concentrate better and 

actively engage in discussions. 

What stood out in the program was the abundance of visual and hands-on 

learning experiences. We visited the hospital, learned about CPR, and engaged 

in meaningful conversations with mentors. The other participants were friendly, 

and by the end of the 4 weeks, I had grown much more comfortable around them. 

Building bonds with my peers was a lot of fun. 

This program opened my eyes to community issues and heightened my awareness 

of topics like drunk driving and healthy relationships. Additionally, I became more 

self-aware of the support available to me, including my mentor and technology. 

The opportunities presented over these past 4 weeks have left me feeling 

immensely grateful and fortunate. Entering this program has been a wonderful 

journey that has expanded my horizons and enriched my life. 


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My name is Barbara Esperanza Luna 

Merchan. I am 14 years old, and I was 

born in Ecuador. I have been living in the 

United States for 5 years. I am a person 

who likes to spend a lot of time with her 

family. I excel in my studies and dream 

of becoming a pediatrician to have a 

positive impact on the lives of people, 

but most importantly for the children. I 

am also an artist. I really love being a 

model. I am not currently in a modeling 

academy, but I have been modeling 

in Ecuador for 7 years. I was in an 

academy, and it was difficult to leave 

it. I hope to one day have my own practice, my own academy, to have 

a foundation and thus be able to help many people who really need it. I 

am currently volunteering on Tuesdays at Saint Joseph Parenting Center 

for workshops on how to be a good parent. My volunteering involves 

taking care of children under the supervision of the people who run the 

program. I always like to participate in positive things because I feel that 

it lets me learn and educate myself. 

Reflection 

The Dominican Community Center’s Youth Academy for Latino Leaders has 

allowed me to recognize that I can get to know areas that will help me have 

a better future. I was able to meet important people who have excelled in life 

through a lot of effort. I enjoyed the class on financial responsibility because at 

our young age, learning to manage our money will set us up for success. I also 

enjoyed the classes on healthcare. This area is important to us because it allows 

us to learn how to be healthy by having good nutrition, building good habits, and 

avoiding diseases. I am interested in a career in healthcare, and for the first time, I 

was able to see how vitals are taken. It was very interesting to learn how a person 

can save others lives and can’t wait to learn more. We also got to visit the Savings 

Bank of Danbury, where I was able to get to know the facility, observe the work 

they do and their kindness in serving people. This is very important since they have 

contact with people every day. We also visited the beautiful Danbury Museum. I 

found it very interesting because all young people should know the history of our 

beautiful city. 


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My name is Shaila Rodríguez, a 

studious high school freshman from 

Danbury CT. I have a wonderful 

life full of incredible adventures 

and experiences. My nationality 

is Spanish, but my mother is from 

Ecuador and my father from Bolivia, 

and they immigrated to Spain. I love 

mathematics and my dream is to 

study architecture and engineering. 

I am also interested in working as 

a stewardess, being able to travel 

around the world and getting to 

know new cultures. Apart from the 

jobs that interest me, I also adore ballet, volleyball, swimming, drawing, 

photography, and the Italian language. In fact, I am currently learning 

Italian. When I was 7 or 8 years old, I started to learn rhythmic gymnastics 

and occasionally, I practiced a little. That is a bit of my life summarized. 

I hope you liked it. 




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Reflection 

I enjoyed my time in the program a lot. I had fun learning new things every day 

and visiting places that I had never been to before. I also enjoyed learning about 

how things worked in the different places we visited. But without a doubt, what 

fascinated me the most about the program was the power to develop new skills 

and knowledge. 

I am very grateful to have been able to attend this program that prepares you 

for life and helps us prepare for what we want for our future. I believe it gives us 

the hope that if we put our minds to it and try, we can achieve what we want. If it 

hadn’t been for this program, I probably would have stayed home bored. 


16

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 





My name is Daniella Valenzuela, I am 

13 years old and will be a student at 

Danbury High School. In the future I 

desire to be in the medical field, but I 

am still discovering what I want to do. 

My favorite things to do in my free time 

are to roller skate and go on walks when 

I have the time and money. I would like 

to excel in all my classes and start to do 

a sport, maybe track. I’ve always been 

interested in doing a sport because 

I enjoy doing something productive 

instead of laying in my bed. I also like to 

try new things such as to join a club or 

volunteer to be a part of the community. 



COLLABORATION 




Y.A.L.L. 


REFLECTIONS 

PHOTO NEWS 

RESOURCES 


THE EMAGAZINE 

Reflection 

Recently, I was given the opportunity to attend the Youth Academy for Latino 

leaders, and it was an eye-opening experience. I learned so much about the 

importance of community involvement. Before I started this program, I was thinking 

about what I wanted to be. Everyone around me seemed to already know. A 

doctor, dentist, a famous singer, etc. I was stuck on the idea that as I kept getting 

older, I would still wonder. But being in this program was a huge benefit for my life. 

It provided so much new information that wasn’t known to me before. This program 

also took us to different places to give us a first hand experience of certain jobs. 

It gave me a new perspective on professions I had never thought about. First, we 

went to the bank. I had never been to a bank, therefore I thought it would be fun 

to try something new. We got to learn how things functioned and run at the bank, 

as well as the responsibilities of the employees. The different experiences during 

the field trips have inspired me to pursue a career in the medical field. Although 

there were field trips, there was also an importance of the lessons during class. For 

example, we got to learn how to create a S.M.A.R.T. goals and about finances. I 

believe all people should be learning about these topics to help us in the future. 

This program also has taught me qualities that can help me become successful 

and move forward in life. One of the lessons was about how to become a leader. 

Leaders lead and command a group, organization, or country. But there is a 

difference between a good leader and just being a leader. A good leader is there 

to inspire and motivate followers. I feel I’m more of a follower than a leader, but 

after this experience, I feel I can become a leader. Another lesson I learned during 

the program was how to be a good communicator. This lesson had my focus and 

attention because it was a broader topic than I had thought. The communication 

lesson was not just about talking and hearing, it was about being attentive and 

having good eye contact to know someone is listening. I believe I can apply all the 

skills I learned from this program to shape my future and help me become a better 

leader and community member. This program was a fun experience and I hope 

kids in the future will have a good time like I did. 


17

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 







My name is Isabella Valenzuela. I 

was born and raised in Danbury, CT. I 

inherited my Dominican culture from 

my parents, who were born in the 

Dominican Republic. Most of the time, 

I enjoy pursuing my passions, such as 

singing and other forms of music. Music 

has been a part of my life for almost 

six years. I am dedicated to staying on 

track with my studies to ensure that I 

can pursue a better future for myself. I 

recognize that it is essential for me to 

keep my grades up to work at my dream 

job. One of the biggest dreams of my 

life is to become an orthodontist so I can help others smile brightly. I 

am confident I can achieve my goals and become successful with the 

support of my family and friends. 

COLLABORATION 




Y.A.L.L. 


REFLECTIONS 

PHOTO NEWS 

RESOURCES 


THE EMAGAZINE 

Reflection 

During my 4 weeks at the Youth Academy for Latin Leaders, I learned a variety of 

things that will help me in my future. This program helped me learn about different 

career paths including business administration, finance and healthcare. I also 

learned how to take care of my wellbeing. In addition, I enjoyed meeting and 

getting to know new people. I received great advice from the visitors, mentors, 

and people from the Latin community. Thanks to them, I am more confident about 

pursuing my dreams and confident that I will be able to achieve my goals. 

Most of all, I had a splendid time learning about the medical field. The opportunity 

to use the mannequins in the simulation lab allowed me to experience what doctors 

do. What I enjoyed the most was performing CPR on one of the mannequins. 

During the finance lectures, I gained an understanding of banks and personal 

finance. I had a great time visiting parts of the hospital, a museum, and a bank. I 

am looking forward to helping with the research project for the next few months. 

In conclusion, I had a wonderful time in this program, and I would totally reconsider 

joining again in the future. It has truly been an honor to be accepted in this 

program. I believe the knowledge I gained will help me when it’s time to pick my 

career. 


18

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 


Photo News 

Welcoming Ceremony in Global Health Academy 






COLLABORATION 




Y.A.L.L. 


REFLECTIONS 

Wendi Cuscina, the manager of the global health program, is welcoming 

the students to the academy. 

PHOTO NEWS 

RESOURCES 


THE EMAGAZINE 

Majid Sadigh, the director of the global health academy is welcoming 

the students to the academy 

19 

Photo News continued on next page >>

OUR PEOPLE, 

Students in Simulation Lab 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 







COLLABORATION 


Student Blaymin Fabian learns how 

to perform CPR in the Danbury 

Hospital Clinical Simulation Lab. 

Students learn to recognize healthy and unhealthy heart 

sounds in the Danbury Hospital Simulation Lab. 



Y.A.L.L. 


REFLECTIONS 

PHOTO NEWS 

RESOURCES 


THE EMAGAZINE 

Students practice using stethoscopes to listen to lung sounds at the Danbury Hospital Clinical 

Simulation Lab. 

20 


OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 







COLLABORATION 




Y.A.L.L. 

Students in Classes 

Students use a simulation mannequin to listen to heart sounds. 


REFLECTIONS 

PHOTO NEWS 

RESOURCES 


THE EMAGAZINE 

Community leader and 

business owner Wilson 

Hernandez leads a class on 

leadership skills. 

Elsabel Rincon leads a session on Financial Literacy. 

Photo News continued on next page >> 

21

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 







COLLABORATION 




Y.A.L.L. 


REFLECTIONS 

PHOTO NEWS 

Elke Caldero Sweeney LCSW lead the students in a discussion about how to build healthy habits and 

foster healthy relationships. 

RESOURCES 


THE EMAGAZINE 

Nelson Merchan MBA and students discuss financial literacy. 

22 


OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 







COLLABORATION 




Diana Merchan and Bridgid Guertin speak to the students about community involvement and the 

history of Danbury at the Danbury Museum. 

Y.A.L.L. 


REFLECTIONS 

PHOTO NEWS 

RESOURCES 


THE EMAGAZINE 

Students Barbara Merchan and Sheila Rodriguez 

speak about community and citizenship at the 

Danbury Museum. 

Medical Student Javier Rincon speaks to the 

students about basic cardiopulmonary anatomy. 


23

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 







COLLABORATION 

Javier Rincon and students at the Danbury Hospital Clinical Simulation Lab 




Y.A.L.L. 

Students with Community Leaders 


REFLECTIONS 

PHOTO NEWS 

RESOURCES 


THE EMAGAZINE 

“The photo shows the group of students accompanied by Mr. Farley Santos, Vice President, 

Community Development Manager, and Bank Ambassador with Savings Bank of Danbury, and who 

is also a CT State Representative. Also pictured are Jacqueline Cabrera (to the right of Mr. Santos) 

and Olga Mejia (to the far left in the photo), members of the Dominican Community Center Board of 

Directors and mentors of the Y.A.L.L. program. As part of the first day’s shadowing, Mr. Santos gave 

a tour to the students around the Danbury Savings Bank Headquarters, and they were able to see 

how the bank functions in real time.” 

24 


OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 





Farley Santos, Vice President of Bank of Danbury, speaks with students about financial literacy and 

responsibility. 

Graduation Celebration 



COLLABORATION 




Y.A.L.L. 


REFLECTIONS 

PHOTO NEWS 

RESOURCES 

Wilson Hernandez, Dr. Majid Sadigh and State 

Senator Julie Kushner celebrate the students 

completion of the first summer at YALL. 

DCC President Eva Maria Duran at the end of 

summer graduation. 


THE EMAGAZINE 

Jason Nova speaks at the end of summer 

graduation. 

Dr. Sadigh shares some words of wisdom with 

students at the end of summer graduation. 

25 


OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 







COLLABORATION 


Students and family members at the end of summer 

graduation. 

Students at the graduation 

Javier Rincon speaks to students 

and family members at the end of 

summer graduation. 



Y.A.L.L. 


REFLECTIONS 

PHOTO NEWS 

RESOURCES 


THE EMAGAZINE 

Students and family members attend the graduation. 

26 


OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 







COLLABORATION 




Program leaders prepare to present the students with their certificates and scholarships. 

Y.A.L.L. 


REFLECTIONS 

PHOTO NEWS 

RESOURCES 


THE EMAGAZINE 

Jason Nova presents Sheila Rodriguez with her 

certificate and scholarship. 

Nelson Hernandez presents student 

Isabella Valenzuela with her certificate and 

scholarship. 


27

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 







COLLABORATION 




Y.A.L.L. 

Dr. Swapnil Parve presents student Daniella 

Valenzuela with her certificate and scholarship. 

Elvis Novas, Advisor for the Dominican 

Community Center and member of the Board 

of Directors of Housatonic Habitat for Humanity, 

Danbury, is presenting the certificate and 

scholarship to student Hermin Fernandez, one of 

the graduates of the YALL program. 


REFLECTIONS 

PHOTO NEWS 

RESOURCES 


THE EMAGAZINE 

Olga Mejia presents Barbara Merchan with her 

certificate and scholarship. 

Photo Right: Student Blaymin Fabian receives her 

certificate and scholarship from Eva Maria Duran. 


28

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 







COLLABORATION 


Students show their certificates. 



Y.A.L.L. 


REFLECTIONS 

PHOTO NEWS 

RESOURCES 


THE EMAGAZINE 

Students and program leadership pose with their scholarships at the end of graduation ceremony. 

29

OUR PEOPLE, 

OUR MISSION 

Global Health 







COLLABORATION 




Y.A.L.L. 


REFLECTIONS 

PHOTO NEWS 

RESOURCES 


THE EMAGAZINE 

Photos and Reflections 2021 

Global Health & the Arts 

Nuvance Health and UVMLCOM Global 

Health Website 

COVID-19 Resource Center 

Nuvance Health and UVMLCOM Annual 

Report 2020 

AUC/RUSM Annual Report 2018 

Cases and Reflections from Mulago 

Climb for a Cause 2018 

Climb for a Cause 2019 

Ebola: Sequences on Light and Dark 

Ebola: Two Doctors Respond to the 2014 

Ebola Epidemic in Liberia: A Personal 

Account 

Global Health Annual Reports 

Global Health Conference 2019 Photos 

Global Health Conference 2019 Videos 

Global Health Conference 2019 Book 

Global Health Diaries and Newsletters 

2015-2016 


2016-2017 

Global Health Diaries and eMagazines 

2018-2019 


2017-2018 

Global Health Diaries 2020-2021 

Resources 

Nuvance/MakCHS Global Health 

Information Center Booklet 

Paraiso and the PAP Hospital 

Photographs from Uganda, by 

photojournalist Tyler Sizemore 

Presentations By Global Health Scholars 

Previous issues of the Global Health 


Program Partners 

Publications 

Site Specific Information 

Tropical Medicine Spanish 101 

Tropical Medicine Courses 

The World of Global Health book 

The World of Global Health Video 

Words of Encouragement 

UVM Larner College of Medicine Blog 

Participant Guide in Global Health, 

Thailand 

Cho Ray International Student Handbook 

DRC Facing a New Normal 

Photos and Reflections 2019 

Coronavirus 2019 Important clinical 

considerations for Patients & Health 

care Providers 

Kasensero Uganda 

Katanga video 

Global Health eMagazines 2020-2021 

Global Health Reflections and Photos 2019 

Global Health Reflections and Photos 2017 

and 2018 

Interviews 

A Connecticut Doctor in Africa, by 

journalist Mackenzie Riggs 

Global Health Program Website 

Global Health at WCHN Facebook 

Ethical Dilemmas book 

Ho Chi Minh City and Cho Ray Hospital 

The Homestay Model of Global Health 

Program video 

30 

Majid Sadigh, MD Interview Regarding 

Ebola in Liberia (Video) 

My Heart Burns: Three Words Form a 

Memoir (Video) 

Two UVM Docs Combat Ebola in Liberia 

(Article)

September 2023 eMagazine Supplementary Issue

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