Meet Yamin from Burma, a current Humphrey Fellow at the Emory University. Yamin has a medical and public health background. Throughout her career, she has primarily served the vulnerable populations in conflict and hard-to-reach areas of Burma. She has worked in various health sectors ranging from private hospital to the United Nations agency. She was previously a volunteer lecturer at a nursing diploma school and tutored undergraduate medical students. Her experience extends beyond medical services and expands to humanitarian and development efforts in remote areas.

Yamin looks forward to pursuing public health policy and management during her time in the Humphrey program. She plans to work in different health service settings and anticipates exchanging cultures, expanding professional network, and enhancing her professional knowledge with peers from all over the world. Yamin plans to apply the skills and knowledge acquired from the Humphrey Fellowship Program in public health systems, strengthening the areas that need it.  Yamin believes that only through collective efforts and co-creation, can we improve the public health system in vulnerable areas and achieve the Sustainable Development Goal No. 3 of attaining good health and well-being by 2030 by leaving no one behind.

In addition to her professional pursuits, Yamin loves food, travelling, socializing with friends and colleagues (even though she enjoys staying at home), and exploring nature. She is also passionate about the well-being of animals because she believes that the world does not belong solely to humans. She always highlights that respect for animal rights is as important as human rights to create a sustainable environment in the world.

 I am Yamin from Burma. I am truly honored to be one of the Humphrey Fellows at Emory University for the year 2024 – 2025. I have found that all the team members of the Humphrey program at Emory University and the IIE are knowledgeable, supportive, caring and kind-hearted. Our program directors and coordinators always ensure that we meet our goals during this prestigious program. They always try to make the most of our time here. Because of them, I feel myself at home, and I have no doubt that I am having the best  moments of my life during this time as a Humphrey Fellow at the Emory University.

Regarding my background, I have a medical and public health background. I was born in 1987, and I have working experiences in different health industries in my country, ranging from private hospital to the United Nations agency. I started my medical career in 2010 in Yangon at one of the private hospitals but transitioned to public health in 2018. My public health work has focused on combating tuberculosis, revitalizing immunization efforts, and conducting health and nutrition activities in remotes areas of Myanmar. As the Humphrey Fellowship Program is a once-in-a-life-time opportunity, I am making every effort to make it count here.

My personality is straightforward, quiet and humble but not materialistic. Simplicity is my life motto. Thus, I prefer to keep my life very private, and do not usually express my strengths and weaknesses. To brag about myself, I am proactively supportive of my loved ones and to those in need. I firmly believe that doing good deeds to those in need will eventually return to me at some point. Growing as a mixed child in the diverse city of Burma, I really like to see, meet and learn from of different cultures from all over the world. I love hanging out friends and exploring the nature. I have a passion for animals, and of course, I am a foodie! Although I do not regard myself as a risk taker, I often find myself taking significant risks. I am excited to continue my journey as a Humphrey Fellow and look forward to fulfilling my goals through the program.