Shehrose Charania
University of Wisconsin-MadisonI am a third-year majoring in Health Promotion and Health Equity. I am passionate about bringing in my identities as a Pakistani Muslim American to fight health inequities. Growing up in Chicago, my family and I have faced barriers with the healthcare and educational system. Thus, I taught English and health to my immigrant parents to alleviate disparities so that my parents can have access and knowledge to obtain a better quality of life. As I continue to explore barriers, I work with nonprofit organizations on how to tackle adolescent and women's health in Madison. In order to educate and empower health equity further, I am an Undergraduate Research Scholar (URS) fellow where I facilitate a seminar with underrepresented students to foster interdisciplinary perspective on research and how we can grow as informed citizens. I also write and perform spoken word that reflect on my experiences of inequities. Through my passion for service, I wish to work in policymaking to create organizations that combines health, education and research to pave opportunities for equity for immigrant/refugee populations. Eventually, I want to pursue a career in law where I focus on being a change maker in health policy-specifically for immigrants/refugees.
Personal Statement
Shehrose Charania is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Health Promotion and Health Equity, with certificates in Global Health and Public Policy. Shehrose is originally from Pakistan and identify as a Pakistani Muslim American. Her decision to major in Health Promotion and Health Equity, with a certificate in Global Health is informed by her first-hand experience as a teenage immigrant living in Chicago, and taking on the role of “patient navigator” to help her parents navigate our complex health care system.
Shehrose quickly recognized her parents struggles navigating the complex health care system was not an isolated event. Determined to be a ”social justice change maker” Shehrose created a Tutoring Center in Chicago to educate individuals on English, health, and technology, with the goal of increasing their health literacy. She also stared working as a health coach at a local clinic supporting patients in accessing responsive care and taking better control of their health.
In addition to her community civic engagements, Shehrose is also engaging in UW-Madison Research and Education mission; she is an Undergraduate Research Scholar. In her free time, Shehrose writes and performs poetry to change her narrative from one of oppression to one of optimism.