Honor Society® member
Elizabeth Toomey
Peace Corps ResponseVolunteer at Madagascar
- Western Illinois University
- health sciences
- Class of 2017
- Carbondale, Illinois
Member since March 2017
About
I am a Peace Corps Fellow in my second year of a Master's in Health Sciences (public health) program at Western Illinois University. As a former conservation practitioner, I developed a passion for population health and the desire to improve access to healthcare for underserved communities after serving 3.5 years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Madagascar. While serving in Madagascar I had the opportunity to work on various food security, health education, and Malaria intervention programs. As a Peace Corps Fellow at WIU, I am simultaneously completing coursework towards my degree while serving as a full-time Americorps volunteer at the Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development in Carbondale, IL. I am currently completing research on community paramedicine programs and addressing the prescription opioid epidemic in rural Illinois through community coalition building.
Education
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Western Illinois University
Public Health
2015 – 2017
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Williams College
History
1999 – 2003
Honors and awards
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Peace Corps Fellowship
A two year fellowship offered to returned Peace Corps Volunteers interested in pursuing a graduate degree at Western Illinois University.
Goals and interests
- Career goal
I intend to continue my work in improving access to healthcare for underserved populations. Whether I end up working in the U.S. or back in Madagascar, I will continue to address disparities in healthcare and developing programs to target the populations that need the most help.
- Graduate school interests
Increasing access to healthcare in rural areas and in underserved populations. Addressing the social determinants of health; incorporating health in all policies.
- Outside the classroom
I enjoy exploring the great outdoors by hiking, camping, rock climbing, trail running, and just generally enjoying all that mother nature has to offer. I am also a big fan of chess, watching documentaries (particularly surrounding social justice issues, history), and learning about other cultures.
Experience
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Peace Corps ResponseVolunteer
Madagascar
Sep 2014 – Aug 2015
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Peace Corps Volunteer
Madagascar
Feb 2011 – Sep 2013
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Field Research Assistant
Colorado State University
May 2010 – Sep 2010
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laboratory technician
University of Nevada, Reno
Sep 2009 – May 2010
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Conservation Practitioner II
The Nature Conservancy
Mar 2008 – Jun 2009
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Americorps Volunteer/ Forestry Crew Supervisor
The Great Basin Institute
Jun 2003 – Nov 2005
Volunteering
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Americorps Volunteer
Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development
Jan 2017 – Dec 2017
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Health Volunteer
United States Peace Corps
Sep 2014 – Aug 2015
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Environment Volunteer
United States Peace Corps
Feb 2011 – Sep 2013
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Americorps Volunteer
Great Basin Institute
Jun 2003 – Aug 2004
Languages
- English (US) Advanced
Additional information
Organizations
