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Global Health Case Competition

Teams tackle issues of mental health in post-revolution Egypt in Global Health Case Competition

2013 Vanderbilt Global Health Case Competition Team

The Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health Student Advisory Council hosted its third annual Global Health Case Competition from February 13-16, 2013. Thirteen multidisciplinary teams composed of undergraduate, graduate, and professional students from eight schools across the university competed in the event, tackling a complex, real-world challenge of global significance.

The topic of the case focused on mental health in post-revolution Egypt, and was unveiled to the teams on Wednesday evening. As part of the kick-off event, Sherif Barsoum, M.S., Director of International Student and Scholar Services and an Egyptian native, shared his insight on historical and cultural factors that have shaped the Egyptian people. Once the details of the case were announced, the teams of four to six students had 72 hours to research the topic and develop a proposal incorporating budgetary, time, and human resource constraints. They presented their recommendations to a panel of judges on Saturday afternoon.

The panel included faculty members and professionals from a range of disciplines and areas of expertise: Sherif Barsoum, M.S., Dominique Béhague, Ph.D., Corbette Doyle, E.M.B.A., Carol Etherington, M.S.N., R.N., Douglas Heimburger, M.D., M.S., Todd Lawrence, M.S., Keith Meador, M.D., M.P.H., Th.M., Thomas Schwartz, Ph.D., and Jeffrey Stovall, M.D.

Judges commended participants on their innovative approaches, polished presentation skills, and overall professionalism. Teams were evaluated based on use of data and evidence, feasibility, clarity, innovation, and delivery of their proposal. First place was awarded to the students of Team Two:

  • Alexandra Foust, M.Ed. candidate (International Education Policy Management)
  • Erika Larson, M.Ed. candidate (International Education Policy Management)
  • Elizabeth Murphy, M.P.H. candidate (Global Health)
  • Hemant Nelaparthi, MBA candidate
  • Saad Tamman, M.A. candidate (Economic Development)
  • Anvesh Yedugundla, MBA candidate

These students represented Vanderbilt University in the International Emory Global Health Case Competition on March 23, 2013, where they competed against 22 other teams from universities around the world in a new case challenge.

The Vanderbilt Global Health Case Competition was developed and coordinated by members of the VIGH Student Advisory Council. The following sponsors played an integral role in the production of the event:

Commodore Level
The Graduate Student Council
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing

Anchor Level
The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons
Office of Active Citizenship & Service
Peabody College of Education and Human Development
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Vanderbilt Student Government

Gold Level
Center for Medicine, Health & Society
International Student & Scholar Services

Black Level
Barnes & Noble at Vanderbilt
Center for Student Professional Development
Dunkin' Donuts
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
Maggie Moo's Ice Cream & Treatery
Mediterranean Cuisine
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Panera Bread
Starbucks Coffee Company
Sweet CeCe's Frozen Yogurt & Treats
Maggiano's Little Italy
Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health