Advocating for Health Solutions Through Partnerships

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On September 22, 2022, in celebration of 50 years of Women at Lehigh, Dr. Eleanor Nwadinobi, president of the Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA), presented "One Humanity: Health Solutions Through Our Partnerships" to kick off the Population Health Colloquium Series. 

Dr. Nwadinobi began by sharing a personal story about being born into a patrilineal society that dispreferred girls at birth. She credits her mother with instilling in her enough confidence to become the first medical doctor from her village in Nigeria - a village where she now focuses on preventing breast and cervical cancer. 

Dr. Nwadinobi discussed the importance of women's health initiatives such as those championed by MWIA, a network of women in health seeking to improve healthcare globally by reducing physical, environmental and social harm. In her 40 years with MWIA, she was a youth representative, president of the 36-member states, and now the national president serving on various committees whose members facilitate conversations with organizations such as the UN.

Per the tradition of incumbent MWIA presidents to develop the theme that guides the organization throughout the new appointee's three-year term, Dr. Nwadinobi examined the common threads and shared values in society. She considered the Britannica definition of life - that life in itself is the state or quality of being human - and was influenced by the Eleanor Roosevelt quote, "Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home – so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world."

This process, along with her medical training, brought her to settle on "One Humanity: Health Solutions Through Our Partnerships." Ultimately, she believes that engaging in global and transdisciplinary relationships diversifies intellectual wealth, improving health outcomes for all. 

Listen to the full presentation here.