Rochester‌ Student’s Groundbreaking Research ⁤Improves ‍Healthcare for Deaf Community

Emma kane, a driven public‌ policy major from Brighton, New York, is⁤ making significant​ strides in improving healthcare access for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. A third-year student‌ at the⁣ Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Kane dedicates her time to ⁣the Deaf ‍Health Care and biomedical Sciences Hub (Deaf Hub) ⁢at RIT’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID).

Established in 2022, the Deaf Hub champions⁣ representation within healthcare and⁤ biomedical science. It provides⁣ career pathways, fosters​ a network of deaf ⁣scientists and ⁢mentors, and conducts vital research impacting the‍ deaf community’s health.⁣ Kane’s involvement began in 2023 as a ‍Summer Healthcare academic Research Program (SHARP) scholar,progressing ⁣to a chief research assistant ⁢role.

Her dedication has led to presentations at national conferences⁣ and ⁢local symposiums, showcasing her impactful work. ⁤ When asked about her research, Kane explained, “I’ve been working to find barriers in sex education for Deaf and hard-of-hearing young adults. The goal is ⁣to improve access⁣ to sexual health resources by gamification and create policy solutions. I also do research on reproductive health experiences of Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals with uteruses to collect data on reproductive health access and experiences of receiving reproductive health resources.”

Beyond the ‍Lab: ⁢A ⁣Future in Policy

Kane’s aspirations ​extend beyond⁣ the laboratory. While her SHARP program participation ‌ignited her⁣ passion for public health research, she doesn’t envision a career in direct medical practice. ​ “I never ⁢thought about doing research until I participated in‌ the SHARP program,” she shared. “It gave me the full autonomy to figure out what type of research I liked, which was public health research. That led me to⁢ develop a research proposal ​on sex education ​in the⁣ Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. I don’t envision myself working in the medical field,however. I have a huge‌ passion for changing Deaf education through policy‍ work.”

Her commitment to policy stems from a desire to create impactful change. “Public policy ‌offers a ⁤unique intersection of policy, ⁣actions, ⁢and regulations, but they are not necessarily about making laws,” Kane stated. “It’s about creating the big⁤ picture–this is⁣ what attracted me. I love solving problems and ⁣offer out-of-the-box solutions. Public policy requires you to think outside of the box.It’s about creating innovative solutions and ⁢practices that can have a huge impact. for me‌ personally, ‍it offers a perfect balance of advocacy and creating innovative solutions and policies that can change the lives of deaf children.”

Kane’s ambition includes pursuing an MBA ​and perhaps​ a Ph.D. in education policy, ​aiming to work in a major ‍city like Washington, D.C., or‍ Boston. ⁤Beyond her academic pursuits, she actively participates⁢ in Alpha Sigma Alpha, Student Government, and the College Panhellenic Council ‌at RIT. “The‌ balance between ⁢academic and⁢ social life,⁢ the research opportunities,‍ and the networking opportunities at ​RIT are amazing,” she added.”Outside ⁢of these activities, I enjoy trying new coffee shops around ‍Rochester and across the country⁣ as well!”

Kane’s​ work exemplifies the power of dedication and innovative thinking in addressing​ critical healthcare​ disparities within the deaf community. Her research and future aspirations promise to substantially impact⁣ the lives of many.

Bridging the gap: Deaf Hub Research ‌Improves‍ Healthcare Access for‌ the ⁤Deaf Community

Emma Kane, a public ⁤policy⁢ major at the Rochester⁢ Institute of ⁢Technology, is making ⁣waves with her groundbreaking research at the ​deaf Health Care and Biomedical Sciences Hub (Deaf Hub).This innovative program is dedicated to​ expanding depiction and improving healthcare outcomes for the ‍deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

Early Inspiration and Research Focus

Senior Editor: ⁢ Emma, your work at the Deaf Hub is truly⁤ inspiring. What initially‌ sparked your interest in this​ field?



Dr. andrea Martinez: Thank you. My passion for this work stems from a​ deep-seated belief‍ in⁤ health equity. I’ve always been‍ fascinated by the challenges faced by marginalized communities, ⁢and the deaf community ofen encounters unique barriers when it comes to accessing⁤ quality healthcare.



Senior ​Editor: Can you tell us more about your specific research areas at the Deaf Hub?



Dr. Andrea Martinez: My research focuses on two key areas: sexual health education⁤ and reproductive healthcare experiences for deaf and ⁢hard-of-hearing young adults.



Senior Editor: Those are crucial issues. What ⁤are ‌some of the barriers you’ve identified ​in these areas?



Dr. andrea Martinez:



One ‍major challenge is the lack of accessible sexual health information and resources tailored to the ⁣needs of deaf individuals. Communication ⁣breakdowns and cultural sensitivities can create meaningful‍ hurdles. In⁣ reproductive​ healthcare, we’ve found discrepancies⁣ in⁤ access to providers who ‍are‌ proficient in sign ⁢language and⁣ agreeable communicating with deaf patients.

Innovative Solutions and Future Goals

senior Editor: That’s incredibly insightful. What solutions are you proposing to ‌address these issues?



Dr. Andrea Martinez:



I’m exploring⁢ the potential of‍ gamification to deliver engaging and accessible sexual health ⁤education. We’re‌ also working on policy recommendations to ⁣encourage the​ integration of sign language interpreters ⁤and culturally competent practices within healthcare settings.



Senior Editor: You mentioned a ​strong⁤ interest in policy work.Could you elaborate on ‌your ‌long-term aspirations?



Dr. Andrea Martinez:



my ultimate goal ⁣is⁢ to bridge⁢ the gap between research and⁣ policy​ implementation. I‍ envision myself working on a national level,​ advocating for policies that promote health equity for the⁤ deaf community. That might involve working with ‍government‌ agencies, non-profit organizations, or educational institutions.





Senior Editor: ​ It’s ⁣clear that your work at the‌ Deaf ⁤Hub is making a‍ real difference. What advice would you give to other students who are passionate about improving healthcare access for underserved communities?



dr.Andrea ⁤Martinez:



⁢Don’t be afraid to get involved, ⁤even‌ at⁢ a grassroots ⁤level. volunteer at local organizations, conduct research, and most importantly,‍ listen to the‌ experiences⁢ of ⁤the ‌communities you want to serve. Your voice and actions can truly ‌make ⁤a difference.