Global health challenges transcend national boundaries and have far-reaching impacts on the well-being of people worldwide. By dedicating a career to global health, public health practitioners can contribute to the prevention and control of infectious diseases, the promotion of health equity, and the improvement of healthcare systems around the globe.
The Barbara Epstein-Williams Global Health Scholarship is the latest to join our growing list of named scholarship funds that support our exceptional public health students. To learn more about the donor’s inspiration and vision behind her creation of this scholarship, Barbara Epstein-Williams answers a few questions for the UC Irvine community:
Question: What inspired you to establish this scholarship for students focusing their work on global health?
My inspiration for establishing this scholarship stems from a transformative experience I had during my time at UC Berkeley. As an undergraduate, I had the privilege of traveling overseas with a group of renowned professors and fellow students. Our research focused on ecosystem ecology, and we studied the diverse ecosystems of the Amazon, the Galápagos Islands, and the Andes Mountains. Living off the land and even sailing on Charles Darwin’s boat were experiences that profoundly shaped my worldview. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that ignited my passion for global health and sparked a desire to give back. Through this scholarship, I want to offer students the chance to embark on similar journeys focusing on global health.
Unfortunately, during that trip, I became seriously ill, an experience that underscored the importance of proper health precautions when traveling abroad. It took 40 years for the ramifications of my illness to fully manifest, leading to the chronic health issues I’m dealing with today. Despite this, the experience only deepened my commitment to global health. This scholarship aims to support students in their travels, ensuring they are vaccinated, prepared, and supported in their endeavors.
Question: What impact do you hope this scholarship will have on students and the broader field of global health?
Answer: I hope this scholarship encourages students to travel more, conduct impactful research, and gain a real understanding of the health challenges faced in developing countries. My own experiences have shown me the importance of supporting research in these regions, and I want to expand opportunities for students to contribute to global health initiatives. By enabling them to engage with communities and researching abroad, I believe this scholarship can foster a new generation of leaders in global health.
Question: What message or values do you hope to impart to the scholarship recipients through your support?
Answer: I want to emphasize the importance of self-care and environmental stewardship. Students must protect themselves, first and foremost, but also to respect and preserve the environments they work in. Through this scholarship, I hope to inspire students to become pioneers in global health, much like the researchers I had the privilege of working alongside. This opportunity is about more than just academic achievement; it’s about cultivating a sense of responsibility and a deeper interest in the global health field.
I hope to use my experiences and this scholarship as a platform to inspire growth in the field of global health, particularly within our young and rapidly growing school.”
– Barbara Epstein-Williams
Question: How do you hope this scholarship will inspire others in global health or philanthropy?
Answer: I hope to use my experiences and this scholarship as a platform to inspire growth in the field of global health, particularly within our young and rapidly growing school. With the right support, we can accelerate our programmatic development and make a significant impact. I also hope to encourage others in the field to reflect on their own experiences and challenges and to use those reflections to give back. We must strive to offer students the opportunities we had—or even the opportunities we wished we had.
Question: What criteria were important to you in selecting the recipients of this scholarship?
Answer: I hope this scholarship attracts students eager to explore new frontiers and have a strong connection to their research. In partnership with the Student Service Review Committee, I would like to find individuals who are just starting their journey and have a genuine curiosity about the world, as well as those who are deeply invested in their research and ready to dive deeper into their studies abroad. Ideally, recipients will have some research experience before they embark on their travels.
To support Wen Public Health and explore similar giving opportunities, please contact Juliana Goswick, Director of Development, at jgoswick@uci.edu.
