Second-year Master of Science in Global Health student Joseph Incorvia.
Published November 22, 2016 under Education News
Joseph Incorvia came to DGHI after completing an undergraduate biochemistry degree at Elon University in Elon, North Carolina. Since the start of his Master of Science in Global Health (MSc-GH) program in fall 2015, he has focused on learning about systems that allow people to access health care.
“I’m really interested in the chemistry of the body,” Joe shared, “so my goal is to fuse that knowledge with what I’m learning in global health to eventually become a well-rounded physician.”
Witnessing Obstacles to Health at Home and Abroad
As an undergraduate student, Incorvia volunteered at a clinic for people that didn’t have health insurance. In this role, his eyes were opened to some of the barriers people face when trying to receive care. Seeing these obstacles that Americans faced in their need for health care made Joe wonder what other barriers to health people around the world face.
This question prompted Incorvia to participate in a medical brigade in Akwakrom, Ghana. His team set up a week-long clinic that provided medical, dental and obstetric care for individuals and promoted access to medications and nutritional education. Through this experience, Incorvia was able to witness first-hand the global struggle for access to health care. Seeing this gap in the United States and abroad, he knew he wanted to do work that would improve access to care on both the domestic and international scale.
Gaining Global Perspective through Fieldwork
When Incorvia learned about the Duke Global Health Institute’s MSc-GH program at a career fair, he realized that this would be the perfect way for him to gain experience in the field while further studying access to health care.
“This program has widened my perspective on health care,” he said, “which is valuable to take into any future plans: going to medical school, entering the work force or completing future degrees.”
This past summer, Incorvia completed his fieldwork in Uganda. Working both in Kampala at Mulago Hospital, and in Jinja at a regional hospital, his task was to study access to surgical care and obstacles that patients faced in getting to the hospital. “We found that the primary barriers to healthcare for these people are financial resources, transportation and distance,” he said.
Personal Growth through DGHI Opportunities
“This program has not only allowed me to learn more about fields that I’m interested in, but also a lot about myself as an individual, a leader and a researcher,” Incorvia reflected. “My favorite parts about this program are the opportunities and resources we have to make our research ideas and passions a reality. DGHI really prioritizes your interests.”
After completing his thesis this spring, he hopes to continue his education by earning a medical degree.
