Her mission to fuse social justice and medicine began at HWS, where a pivotal course, "The Politics of Reproduction," revealed how a sociological lens could enrich biological understanding. That insight inspired her to design an interdisciplinary major in Health Disparities while also pursuing a Biology major.
As a resident psychiatrist at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine, Hannah Connolly '16 M.D., Ph.D., MPH is pursuing a career in medical education transformation, dedicated to overhauling medical training so physicians are actively equipped to promote health equity for all.
Theoretically, I've been running between Stern and Napier ever since [graduation], seeking to build the bridge between disciplines and collecting a few degrees along the way: an M.D. and an MPH from SUNY Upstate Medical University, and a Ph.D. in Social Science from Syracuse University's Maxwell School.Hannah Connolly '16
Connolly graduated magna cum laude from HWS and as a member of Hai Timiai. Her journey was made possible by the Harrington Family Annual Fund Scholarship and the Edward A. Froelich '55 and Joanne I. Froelich Endowed Scholarship. The support allowed her to serve as an orientation coordinator and play Division III lacrosse, which nurtured her leadership skills. It also gave her the freedom to study abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark, which opened her mind to alternative ways of providing health care.
Connolly says moving to Kisumu, Kenya to pursue her MPH deepened her global perspective, and her understanding of the intertwined nature of medicine was solidified.
