SAPHA Spotlight Series - June 2024

SEASON 1 | EPISODE 6

South Asian Public Health Association Spotlight Series

SAPHA continues its journey into the world of podcasts with our latest installment! Introducing the sixth episode of the South Asian Public Health Association Spotlight Series, where we dive deep into the extraordinary careers and journeys of public health pioneers, with a special focus on the South Asian community.

In commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the South Asian Public Health Association, each episode promises enlightening discussions, motivational narratives, and an intimate exploration of the impactful contributions made by former SAPHA board members, shaping the landscape of public health.

Episode 6

Dr. Amita Vyas, PhD, MHS

Our sixth episode features the esteemed Dr. Amita Vyas, a tenured Professor at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Co-Founder of the Global India Fund. Dr. Vyas has dedicated her career to addressing the health, education, and well-being of women, children, and families both locally and globally. Her inspiring journey began at the age of 20 when she worked alongside Mother Teresa in Calcutta, India, and has since led numerous large-scale intervention and research studies. Dr. Vyas' contributions to public health include co-producing the Girl Rising India film and campaign alongside Priyanka Chopra and Freida Pinto, launching media campaigns and grassroots-level interventions to address social inequities. She is also the Director of the GW Center of Excellence in Maternal & Child Health and has been recognized with several awards for her outstanding work in the field. Dr. Vyas served on the inaugural SAPHA Board and was also an editor for the SAPHA Brown paper.

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Learn more about Dr. Vyas below:

Dr. Amita N. Vyas is a tenured Professor at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Co-Founder of the Global India Fund. In 2014, she joined Girl Rising and co-produced the Girl Rising India film and campaign. Her journey into public health began at the age of 20 when she worked alongside Mother Teresa in Calcutta, India. This experience inspired her to pursue a career in public health, focusing on the health, education, and well-being of vulnerable populations.

Dr. Vyas earned her Master's in Demography and her doctorate in Population and Family Health Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. She has received several awards for her academic achievements and is the Director of the GW Center of Excellence in Maternal & Child Health. Her research primarily focuses on the health and well-being of adolescent girls and women, and she has led countless intervention and research studies globally. She is also a Non-resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, focusing on the intersection of health, violence, and women's economic empowerment.

In 2007, Dr. Vyas founded the Global India Fund, a non-profit organization committed to making a difference in India. She resides in McLean, Virginia, with her husband and three teenage children.

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Subscribe to SAPHA’s Spotlight Series to hear more captivating discussions with trailblazers in public health.

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Thanks for your interest in SAPHA!

We are continually striving to enhance the health and well-being of our diverse South Asian communities. Through advocacy, education, and meaningful community partnerships, we are dedicated to making a positive impact. Learn more about our mission or contribute to our cause by visiting sapha.org!

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Subscribe to SAPHA’s Spotlight Series to hear more captivating discussions with trailblazers in public health.



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