When Girish Rishi talks about
altering the world, he sees an unlimited
seaside of worldwide challenges. He
believes progress occurs via
regular, intentional motion—one grain
of sand at a time.
That perception is shared by his spouse,
Himangi Rishi, a healthcare skilled whose profession has been formed
by hands-on studying. Together, the
married couple introduced this philosophy to the Johns Hopkins School of
Advanced International Studies, from
which Girish Rishi graduated with a
grasp’s in public coverage in 2005.
In 2023, the Rishis established the
Girish and Himangi Rishi Student
Travel Award via the Johns
Hopkins Gupta-Klinsky India Institute.
The award, which helps JHU
grasp’s college students with immersive studying experiences in India, displays the
Rishis’ dedication to philanthropy
that blends public coverage, healthcare,
and an in depth working relationship with
native Indian communities.
“This experience showed me how much difference one person can make, just by showing empathy and taking initiative.”
Anupama R. John
Graduate scholar, Bloomberg School of Public Health
For Himangi Rishi, an occupational therapist, hands-on expertise
is just not supplemental to schooling; it is
important. “Because of my occupation
in healthcare, it is all hands-on,” she
says. “The satisfaction you get from
that—it could’t be beat. I feel college students
who use this award will achieve the identical
sort of satisfaction that I did.”
The Rishis need to assist college students
apply what they study within the classroom
to real-world challenges early of their
careers, when such practices can form
skilled trajectories for many years.
In simply over three years, donor
assist has enabled 22 college students to
work alongside Johns Hopkins school
and companion organizations throughout
India, contributing to 19 faculty-led
initiatives in such areas as main
healthcare, infectious illness prevention, and synthetic intelligence in
well being. This program not solely
advances well being outcomes in India however
additionally develops future international well being
leaders. “We hope every recipient
learns to show,” Girish Rishi says.
“They go in to study, however as they’re
studying, they study to show, in order that
information might be unfold.”
That hope was realized for Anupama R. John—a journey award recipient, dentist from India, and graduate
scholar on the Bloomberg School of
Public Health. John returned to
Karnataka in southwest India for her
practicum, anticipating to contribute to
a analysis challenge targeted on folks
dwelling with HIV. What she didn’t
anticipate was how profoundly this
alternative would change her
understanding of her personal neighborhood
and her function inside it.
Image credit score: Courtesy of Anupama R. John
Although she had lived and
studied within the area for years, John
had by no means interacted with the inhabitants she can be working with:
youngsters and younger adults who
acquired HIV via mother-to-child
transmission and now face day by day
stigma regardless of being medically secure.
The Rishis’ grant allowed her to journey
to India and spend time listening,
observing, and responding to wants that went far past her authentic
analysis plan.
“I did not know what affect I might
have,” John says. “But this expertise
confirmed me how a lot distinction one
particular person could make, simply by exhibiting
empathy and taking initiative.”
John leaned into her scientific
experience and her potential to attach
folks. Through conversations with
neighborhood members, she uncovered
a crucial hole: entry to dental care.
Many had been denied remedy after
disclosing their HIV standing or had
prevented searching for care altogether.
Drawing on her skilled
background and private networks, John reached out to dental faculties,
school members, and clinicians throughout
Karnataka. Within weeks, she helped
set up a full-scale dental camp at
Navodaya Dental College and Hospital
that mixed well being schooling with
scientific screening. For many who
participated, it was their first time
receiving dental care.
More vital, the expertise
started to rebuild belief. By connecting
these people with suppliers and
establishments, John helped to determine
pathways to healthcare that can
proceed to serve a number of districts.
The Rishis’ award program is
designed to develop college students’ worldviews whereas serving to them to grow to be
higher learners, lecturers, and drawback
solvers—folks ready to hold
these classes into lengthy careers of
service. By anchoring this work inside
the Gupta-Klinsky India Institute, the
Rishis are serving to to construct the subsequent
technology of leaders, making a ripple
impact that begins with scholar curiosity
and grows into lasting change throughout
India and past.
“These college students are of their first 10
years,” Girish Rishi says. “We hope
this expertise turns into defining.”