GPB partnered with Emory University’s D. Abbott Turner Program in Ethics and Servant Leadership program this year to work with intern Chizaram “Zara” Anyaegbu.  Among other things, Zara helped contribute to our Caregiving project.  Zara took a moment to reflect on her experience being a caregiver and student at Emory’s Rollins School of Public Health, and how that informed her internship at GPB.

My experience working with disabled communities reaches back to the age of 12, when I would volunteer at a nursing home for those with cognitive and developmental disabilities. It wasn’t until I entered the workforce after my undergraduate degree that I realized the scope of my passion. Continuing my education at Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health provides insight on the burdens faced by disabled communities and fuels my efforts for advocacy. Though my body and mind are able, I recognize that we are all one mishap, one circumstance, and one illness away from disability. We are all much closer to needing or being a caregiver than we realize.

How do we support the people who sacrifice themselves to care for those who are not able? How do we determine risk factors and educate people on how to better their circumstances through available resources?” As I’ve been working on projects like Caregiving, these questions have framed my research and provided guidance into the types of resources caregivers can appreciate. Through public resources like the GPB Community Blogs, I’ve been able to highlight organizations that work towards the benefit of caregivers and those they serve. My participation in the Ethics and Servant Leadership program--  EASL-- has provided me with a better understanding. This program, led by Dr. Edward Queen utilizes a combination of community field placements and classroom instruction to empower university students who strive for common good and the betterment of human flourishing. The prioritization of ethical action, leadership studies, theory-practice learning, community-based research, and community service all work to determine what servant-leadership really means. For me, service is a humbling of self and a demonstration of respect. As leaders, we must cater to the needs of their team and their audience, while still standing steadfast on company values. As I work to help GPB towards their mission of providing educational services and content to all Georgians, I am blessed to be surrounded by a team of people who make it their goal to serve. I’ve found that as I lend myself to this organization, I often receive more than I anticipated.

My experiences as an EASL intern will not only increase my knowledge but create an intersection between public health and public communication that is necessary for the future of health in America. To lead is to serve, and it has been my pleasure to learn more about this principle through my work with GPB this summer.