Dentist From Nepal Pursues Public Health to Address Inequalities

Inspired by her experience working in a rural area, Rashmi Humagain will be an ambassador for the public health profession.

Working as a dentist in rural Nepal, Rashmi Humagain experienced the most difficult parts of being a healthcare provider.

“I was the only dentist in my clinic, and there weren’t any dental specialists in the area,” said Humagain, who often performed complex extractions and other surgeries, not leaving much time for routine procedures like cleanings and fillings. “If a patient needed advanced imaging or biopsies, I had to refer them to higher medical centers, which was a big challenge.”

The mountain terrain, poor road conditions, travel time, and limited financial resources were all major barriers for Humagain’s patients to get the care they needed.

“Tests and treatments should be available, especially when a majority of the population is suffering from similar disease conditions,” she said. “It’s not right.”

After two years, Humagain moved back to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, where she could focus on routine care and refer complex cases to specialists. There were plenty of doctors, hospitals, and resources. The contrast was unsettling.

“I kept wondering to myself, is this it? Should I just keep working here, or could I have a bigger impact? What should I do about it?”

She decided she didn’t want to just understand the root of the issues she witnessed in Nepal. She wanted to learn how to improve them by pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS). Since enrolling, Humagain has seen how public health studies can benefit all kinds of providers.

“We are not just dentists, or doctors, or nurses, or pharmacists,” she said. “We can be advocates for entire communities, show them what affects their health, and have a bigger impact.”

This year, Humagain will share this message as part of the This is Public Health Ambassador Program, an initiative from the Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health. She is one of nearly 100 students from around the world selected to raise awareness about the public health profession and encourage others to consider joining it.

“Public health is everywhere,” she said. “It’s a wonderful place where we have gathered to share our experiences and learn from each other.”

Humagain and the other ambassadors will host virtual events, like recruitment fairs, and share their stories through social media takeovers and blog posts. She hopes to focus on maternal, child, and environmental health.

Colleges and universities nominate students for the Ambassador Program. Dr. Virginia Briggs, an Associate Professor of Public Health, was one of the faculty members who nominated Humagain.

“Rashmi is bright, articulate, enthusiastic, and above all, eager to learn,” Dr. Briggs said. “I hope she will meet public health professionals and students from all over the country, collaborating on projects and engaging in discussions that will further her understanding and increase opportunities for her future.”

“I’m looking forward to meeting more people and hearing their experiences,” Humagain added. “I’ve also never used social media professionally, so that will be a first.”

This is Humagain’s last year in the MPH program. In addition to being an ambassador, she’ll continue working as a peer mentor to three other MPH students, guiding them through their studies. Most of all, she’s looking forward to gaining more hands-on experience.

“Our studies are theoretical, so I’m ready to see how the work is actually done,” she said.

As for what happens next, Humagain says she remains completely open to the possibilities. She looks forward to using what she’s learned in the program to improve the health of communities here in the U.S. and back in Nepal.

“I hope to join public health organizations, working in the community,” she said. “I want to be in the room and create plans that make a difference.”