I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of the PEGASUS Institute. As an international medical graduate, the chance to learn from and engage with participants from all around the globe has been a profoundly enriching experience. I am especially thankful for the opportunity to participate in person at the Global Health Conference in Ottawa in October 2023, where I was able to connect with inspiring minds in the field. The monthly meetings with the Emerging Leaders Network have also been invaluable, providing insights and fostering connections that will undoubtedly shape my future career. I am truly honored to be part of this dynamic and impactful community.

Being part of the ELN Leadership has contributed to my professional development in the following ways:
-Gained a more profound comprehension of global health issues and their interconnectedness with peace and environmental sustainability.

-Connected with influential mentors like Dr. Neil Arya and Dr. Don Sutherland, who have provided constructive feedback and pushed me toward continued professional growth. Through my roles in ELN and work, I have established and nurtured a solid professional network, opening doors to new opportunities and collaborations.

-Leveraged my experiences in refugee health to share knowledge and insights, both at work and at forums like Pegasus and Public Health Leadership, which expanded my reach and professional impact.

-Gained the confidence to participate in high-impact opportunities such as attending COP 28 and this year, COP 29, UN Civil Society Conference, further building my professional portfolio and contributing to global dialogues.

The Emerging Leaders Network by the Pegasus Institute (Peace, Global Health, and Sustainability) has been instrumental in expanding my professional horizons and fostering invaluable global connections. Through this dynamic network, I have had the opportunity to engage with a diverse group of passionate professionals from various fields and regions. The platform has facilitated meaningful interactions, enabling me to collaborate on innovative projects and exchange ideas with experts dedicated to addressing global challenges. This network not only enhanced my understanding of international perspectives but also provided a supportive community for sharing knowledge and resources, ultimately enriching my professional journey and broadening my impact on global issues.

To be honest, almost every session was quite new for me, which was precisely what I intended and needed. I wanted to inform my academic practice with Peace Through Health content to be able to teach my students about conflict settings and the role of health practitioners in those settings. It was also quite shocking and important to learn so many details about the situation in the Congo, so I really appreciated being able to acquire that knowledge, which is otherwise unknown in Latin America.

Having indigenous ancestry in the Philippines brought about a lot of challenges in my identity. In my country, indigenous people would be labeled as terrorists for trying to protect their ancestral lands from people who want to exploit their resources. I was personally afraid of embracing my heritage because of the conflict that may arise from identifying with my Ibanag roots. However, after hearing stories from my grandmother’s time in Isabela, a province in Northern Philippines, I knew there was a responsibility to protect the environment especially since we were called river people. This eventually shaped my viewpoints on planetary health and how recognizing indigenous voices can lead to solving conflicts. This eventually landed me the Peace Through Health scholarship with the PEGASUS Institute and McGill Summer Institutes in Global Health. In this course, I learned how environmental protection is intertwined with peace studies. It was interesting to learn how war and conflict can be considered an extension of the social determinants of health. I look forward to support PEGASUS institute and their important work in the coming years to come as I navigate this often undervalued nexus of peace, sustainability, and health. I thank the lessons learned in the podcasts, webinars, and networking events I received from the Emerging Leaders Network and I hope to participate more proactively!

Achēv’s Accelerating Career Advancement program, in collaboration with the Pegasus Institute Mentorship program, conducted a joint webinar through the Achev platform, which was a tremendous success. The turnout was impressive, and the resources and Mentorship program offered by Pegasus have significantly benefited Internationally Educated Healthcare Professionals (IEHPs), providing them with essential guidance on their professional journey. The positive impact on our clients is a testament to the effectiveness of our partnership. We look forward to continuing to support more internationally educated health professionals (IEHPs) together.