I conducted community-based research evaluating the impact and accessibility of Mobile Ophthalmic Units (MOUs) in rural Maharashtra, India. My work involved developing culturally appropriate interview guides and surveys for patients and healthcare workers, navigating the HIRB approval process, and preparing comprehensive research protocols. I collaborated with Dr. Sandip Dole and his team to understand how their 40+ year mobile eye clinic model addresses preventable blindness in underserved communities. The research focused on examining patient adoption rates, operational challenges, and the potential for scaling this innovative healthcare delivery model globally.

This experience completely transformed my understanding of global health from theoretical concepts to real-world implementation challenges. I learned that 62% of blindness in India is preventable, yet geographic barriers force rural patients to travel 100-250km for basic eye care. Working with the foundation showed me that sustainable public health impact requires more than just clinical interventions – it demands entrepreneurship, community trust-building, and addressing root causes like distance, cost, and infrastructure gaps. The experience reinforced that effective public health solutions must tackle both immediate health needs and underlying structural inequities simultaneously.

The most fulfilling aspect was witnessing the profound impact of bringing healthcare directly to people’s doorsteps and understanding the 40+ year family legacy behind this work. I found it incredibly meaningful to learn about the cultural and practical barriers that prevent patients from accessing care, even when it’s provided for free. Developing research instruments that respected local contexts while gathering meaningful data was both challenging and rewarding. The opportunity to contribute to research that could help scale this model globally and eliminate preventable blindness felt deeply purposeful.

This AE solidified my commitment to pursuing a career in global health that focuses on innovative service delivery models and health equity. The experience taught me the importance of patience, cultural humility, and building long-term community relationships rather than seeking quick solutions. I developed greater resilience and adaptability while navigating challenges like the HIRB approval process and designing culturally sensitive research tools. Most importantly, I learned that real impact comes from persistence and community trust-building rather than having the newest technology or biggest budget.

My JHU coursework in health systems, research methods, and global health provided the foundational knowledge I needed to understand the broader context of rural healthcare challenges. The research methods training was particularly valuable for navigating ethical approval processes and designing appropriate data collection instruments. Courses on health equity and social determinants helped me recognize how the mobile clinic model addresses structural barriers to care. However, the AE also revealed knowledge gaps in areas like implementation science and cross-cultural research methods that I plan to address through future coursework.

This experience taught me that the most effective public health interventions often come from deep community roots and long-term commitment rather than external, short-term projects. Dr. Dole’s model demonstrates how family-founded organizations can have massive impact through decades of sustained effort and community trust. The fact that international visitors from Europe, Africa, and the US come to learn from this model shows the global relevance of locally-developed solutions. I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to research that could help replicate this approach in other settings facing similar rural healthcare access challenges.