The Recognition of Distinction in Global Health (RDGH) program at the UAB Heersink School of Medicine has reached a significant milestone with the graduation of its first two students. This achievement marks an important step in preparing future physicians with a broader understanding of health care delivered across diverse global settings. As the program continues to grow, it also welcomes a new cohort of twenty-three students who will build on that foundation through international experiences, research, and service.
RDGH is a longitudinal program developed by the UAB International Medical Education office that offers medical students a structured pathway to engage in global health throughout their training. Students align their work with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals while gaining exposure to different health systems, patient populations, and approaches to care. These experiences encourage medical students to think more broadly about how medicine is practiced and how to apply those lessons to communities across Alabama.
The first students to complete the distinction are Jordan Beam, MS4, and Emory Johnson, MS4.
“This milestone is very important because it shows the program is real and working the way we intended,” said Majd Zayzafoon, M.D., associate dean for Global Initiatives and International Medical Education. “With Jordan and Emory as our first graduates, we now have proof that this is not just an idea, but a structured pathway that produces something meaningful.”
Beam and Johnson’s experiences highlight different elements of the program’s goals in practice. Beam, who completed a research experience in Oxford, England, emphasized the value of global collaboration in advancing medicine. “It was inspiring to contribute to research that could one day influence treatments for patients with prostate cancer,” Beam said. “Understanding how research translates into improved treatments ultimately helps physicians provide the most effective and up-to-date care.” She added that she plans to continue engaging in global health research and collaboration throughout residency at the UAB Department of Dermatology, carrying forward the perspective gained through the RDGH program into her future clinical and academic work.
Johnson’s experience focused on hands-on clinical service and patient care. She participated in ophthalmology outreach in Kenya. “Seeing the way cataract surgery could restore vision and transform a patient’s daily life left a lasting impression on me,” Johnson said. “Serving in Kenya deepened my appreciation for being part of a profession that allows us to work together and meaningfully give back.” She said she looks forward to continuing to pursue global ophthalmology during her residency at the University of Kansas.
Zayzafoon noted that the program encourages students to move beyond observation and actively engage in understanding how and why care is delivered differently across settings and nations. Working in environments with limited resources and diverse patient populations challenges students to think more critically about effective approaches to care and to draw connections between global health experiences and the needs of local communities.
The program’s continued growth is reflected not only in these outcomes but also in its expanding student participation. The newest RDGH cohort includes students who enter with a strong interest in global health and a clear understanding of how these experiences can shape their medical training and future careers.
The students selected for the 2026 RDGH cohort are:
- Kyra Berger, MS1
- Suneeti Chambers, MS1
- Sarah Elimam, MS1
- Yohannes T Ghebre, MS1
- Megha Ghanta, MS1
- Zainab Ibrahim, MS1
- Tapasya Katta, MS1
- Abbie Kleckley, MS1
- Lexi Leggett, MS1
- Esther Lim, MS1
- Rabab Meghani, MS1
- Shafkat Meraj, MS1
- Vani Mittal, MS1
- Gift Nnamdi, MS1
- Janna Ren, MS1
- Demi Shamsi‑Basha, MS1
- Peter Shen, MS1
- Claire Tumlin, MS1
- Rebecca Vales, MS1
- Hank Wang, MS1
- Sarah Wilson, MS1
- Holly Yazdi, MS1
- Alexander Zayzafoon, MS1
Among the cohort are Kyra Berger, MS1, and Rabab Meghani, MS1, who represent the next generation of students shaping the program’s future.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Global Health Distinction program,” said Berger. “Conducting research in Chile allows me to collaborate across institutions while studying immune mechanisms related to chronic kidney disease, and I look forward to bringing those experiences back to UAB.”
“I have always been passionate about addressing global challenges through local action,” said Meghani. “This program provides a meaningful opportunity to engage with those issues and will shape how I approach my future practice in medicine.”
As the RDGH program continues to expand, its focus remains on strengthening partnerships, increasing access to international opportunities, and further integrating global health into medical education. Zayzafoon noted that student interest continues to grow, highlighting the importance of expanding opportunities for participation. He added that supporting international electives plays a meaningful role in shaping how future physicians are trained and how they approach patient care. Creating opportunities for students to gain this broader perspective remains a key priority as the program continues to develop.