About BGH

A transformative initiative at the crossroads of art and research
Beyond Global Health (BGH) invites you to a unique journey where science, art, and poetry converge to redefine global health research. Through a new narrative, we aim to challenge the status quo, amplify marginalized voices, and foster compelling and inclusive research.

Our Vision

Our vision at BGH is to pioneer a path in global health research that harnesses the power of poetry and art as catalyst for decolonization and social justice. From this creative fusion, we aim to foster a more diverse and profound approach, granting visibility and respect to the voices and perspectives of the people and communities involved in this investigative process.

Our Story 

From Lisa's perspective, rooted in lived experience 

BGH was built on more than two decades of experience and a deep commitment to addressing social issues. In 2004, as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal, I witnessed firsthand the how the impacts of civil war, cultural and gender norms, and inequality impacted the lives of youths in rural communities. After the tragic suicide of one of my students following an unplanned pregnancy, the response I received from those around me was often “Ke garne?”—a resigned acknowledgment that nothing could be done. That sense of resignation stayed with me, but rather than accept it, I felt an urgency to share her story and to galvanize greater support to address the challenges my students were facing.

Years later, while working with pregnant adolescents in the Peruvian Amazon, the need to give voice to the stories of those facing similar challenges became even more urgent. Gathering data in 2022 in Peru, where I traversed over 210 km of the Marañón River to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on indigenous youth, deepened my commitment to creating spaces where their realities, hopes, and struggles could be seen, heard, and taken seriously.
Lisa Labita Woodson in Nepal

Our Path Forward

It was not until I attended a NIH Fogarty conference in 2023 that inspiration truly struck:  I realized I could weave poetry directly into global health to amplify marginalized voices and question how research is traditionally done. Listening to other fellows grapple with issues of power, voice, and representation, I began to see poetry not as an “add-on,” but as a method that is capable of holding grief, anger, resistance, and hope. Moved by projects like We Are Not Numbers and the poetry of women in Kabul, I saw how creative expression can transform the way we witness and share lived experience. I was emboldened to experiment in my own work, which led to the collaboration of other creatively minded Fogarty colleagues, Shameka and Purnima, as we began exploring how poetry, storytelling, and global health research might come together advance greater equity and justice.

With support from grants and a shared passion for global health, we formed a diverse and committed team. BGH emerged from the fusion of poetry and global health, becoming a platform that transcends conventional research methods to offer empathy, dialogue, and heightened awareness.

Currently, our team is comprised of three minority global health women researchers with experiences in Africa, Asia, and South America. Through this project, we aim to change the global health narrative. Our collective journey is marked by a transformative shift from individual discontent to the dedicated pursuit of research decolonization. As we forge a path forward, we invite you to join us on this journey as we work to shift the discourse around global health research and cultivate meaningful change.

Our Editorial Board of Advisors

BGH is comprised of a diverse and dynamic team of committed women researchers dedicated to enhancing global health. Our collective expertise covers a broad spectrum of global health topics and experiences that bridge continents and cultures. These experiences have deeply informed our understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized communities. As minority voices in global health, we recognize the importance of giving a voice to those who don't have one. We are committed to challenging conventions, reshaping the narrative of research, and intertwining the power of art and poetry into our quest for understanding and equity. 
Lisa Labita Woodson, MPH, Co-editor/Founder

Lisa Labita Woodson, MPH, PhD
Editor-in-Chief/Founder/Director

Hi, my name is Lisa, and I’m excited to welcome you to BGH. With a background in epidemiology and poetry, I’ve devoted more than a decade to navigating global health across diverse and underserved communities in Nepal, Thailand, Senegal, and most recently, Peru. Growing up as a “third culture child”, moving constantly between homes in the continental US and other countries, and being the daughter of an immigrant, has deeply shaped my path both in research and creative expression. I recently completed a PhD in Epidemiology and Global Health at the University of Arizona and my Fulbright-Fogarty/Global Health Equity Scholar (GHES) funded research in the Amazon working with the project Mamás del Río. My passion lies in championing research that propels the rights of women, children, and other vulnerable individuals forward. My vision for BGH is to create a space where stories are shared, voices are lifted, and art and poetry fuse with research for a meaningful impact.
Shameka Poetry Thomas, PhD, Co-editor

Shameka Poetry Thomas, PhD, 
Editor/Co-Director

Peace and Wellness! I am Dr. Shameka Poetry Thomas (she/her/goddess). I am a Global Maternal-Child Health Scientist, Medical Sociologist, International Poet, and Research Faculty who also serves humanity as a meditation-yoga instructor. As an early-career principal investigator, I founded and led a project called: SICKLE CELL WOMEN & GIRLS (S.W.A.G.) PROJECT OF ACCRA, GHANA at the Ghana Institute of Clinical Genetics. I completed my two-year postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), focusing on Black women’s reproductive health experiences with genetic conditions. I am a native of Miami, Florida and an alum of Spelman College, where my research won the distinguished Scholar‐Activism award. My poetry is infused into my research as a health scientist –and how I process a wellness lifestyle as a world traveler. As co-director of BGH, my goal is to help us prioritize global health equity and redefine the simple pleasures of humanity. Feel free to check out some of my travel experiences, spoken word poems, and guided meditations on my YouTube Channel @DrPoetrySpeaksHealth.
Purnima Madhivanan, MBBS, MPH, PhD, Principal Investigator

Purnima Madhivanan, MBBS, MPH, PhD, 
Editor/Board Advisor

Hey there, I am Dr. Purnima Madhivanan. From my roots as a practicing physician in India to my role as an Associate Professor in Health Promotion Sciences at the University of Arizona (UA), I've embarked on a profound journey guided by the pursuit of justice in health equity. It's one that has led me to delve into the lives of marginalized communities worldwide, seeking to understand and unravel the intricate threads of poverty, gender, and social determinants of health. With more than two decades of experience, I've woven together a path that fuses research and service, forging connections from India to Haiti, Peru to the United States, all the while amplifying the voices of women. I currently serve as the director of the Global Health Training Program at the UA and the Public Health Research Institute of India. Now, through BGH, I'm embracing a truly unique voyage that melds my passion for global health and social justice with art and poetry to make global health more inclusive and accessible.
Funded by
university of arizona
Purnima Madhivanan's Start-up funds from the University of Arizona
arizona commission on the arts
Artist Opportunity Grant provided to Lisa Labita Woodson
About
A place where science inquiry and health equity combined with art and poetry facilitate the shift from a culture of colonization to a culture of dialogue and reconciliation.

©2024. Made with (❤︎) in Yachayninchik