Russell Affum

Biology & Neuroscience

Hello, my name is Russell Affum. I have developed an interest in public health because I aspire to support the underrepresented and those in poverty who have endured limited healthcare due to financial issues by bridging the gap to quality healthcare. To test my fit for the health sector, I volunteered at Tidal Health Hospital in Salisbury, MD, where I worked in the pharmacy and endoscopy departments. My experience at Tidal Health made me more confident about my desire to pursue medicine as a tool for helping the underprivileged, given the disparities they have experienced in medical access. I have been involved in various clubs centered on community involvement and support. For example, at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), I help package and carry food orders to older members of my community while they wait patiently in their cars.
   
A personality that would describe me is observant, and it helps me understand and determine how to approach the situations around me. Furthermore, I enjoy introspection, which is why I like to think deeply about what I have observed and figure out how I can constantly improve myself and the outcomes I seek to provide in healthcare. My parents and roots are from Ghana, a country known for its cultural vibrancy and peaceful coexistence of its linguistically diverse population. Thus, my upbringing and background ensured that I recognized the importance of valuing the unique identities and contributions of those around me. Additionally, being naturally reticent, I have often pushed myself outside my comfort zone to engage others, helping those like me to do the same. In my free time, I like reading, learning Spanish, listening to music, and playing video games.