Madeleine Stokes

My experiences abroad have complemented my coursework in neuroscience, healthcare management, Spanish, and my broader interests in maternal and child health. Through PGS: Lactation and Birthcare Advocacy in the Dominican Republic, I had the opportunity to explore how breastfeeding practices, maternal support systems, and healthcare approaches vary across communities. During our trip, we participated in an exchange of ideas and information with local healthcare providers and nonprofits, learning from their experiences while sharing perspectives from our own backgrounds. Visiting maternity wards, engaging with organizations such as ProlactarRD, and learning from lactation advocates expanded my understanding of how cultural, social, and healthcare factors shape experiences of pregnancy, birth, and infant care. The experience also allowed me to practice Spanish in clinical and community settings while understanding how healthcare approaches are adapted to meet the needs of different communities.

My GRIP internship with the World Medical Association further connected my academic interests to global health policy and medical ethics. As a Medical Ethics intern, I had the opportunity to attend the World Health Assembly in Geneva, where I was exposed to global discussions on public health, healthcare financing, and policy development. Through this experience, I also developed the ability to navigate and contribute to high-level international spaces while observing how ethical considerations, diverse perspectives, and collaboration shape global health decision-making.

Living abroad has challenged me to adapt to new environments, communicate across cultural differences, and approach healthcare systems from perspectives beyond my own. These experiences have strengthened my interest in pursuing a career that integrates medicine, research, and public health, with a focus on improving health outcomes for diverse populations globally.