Internship Highlight: Shaina Ria Joshua, MPH '25

Advocating Through Evidence: Shaina Ria Joshua Connects Medicine with Meaning

While considering internship options, Shaina Ria Joshua sought out roles that blended public health with policy and advocacy. “I wanted to work on something where I could see the connection between research and real-world impact,” she said. She was thrilled to match with her top choice: the Robert Graham Center for Policy Studies in Family Medicine and Primary Care in Washington, D.C.

There, she contributed to a timely and impactful project focused on improving vaccination delivery in primary care. As a prospective physician, Shaina was eager to examine barriers in vaccination uptake and better understand how these challenges affect both patients and providers.

“The goal of my project was to generate insights about the obstacles primary care physicians face in delivering vaccines and to document those barriers through qualitative analysis,” she explained. Working closely with two other research team members, Shaina helped develop a comprehensive qualitative codebook for analyzing physician interviews. The team conducted hour-long, one-on-one interviews with physicians across the country, including those in both high and low vaccine uptake states. Using the analysis software Atlas.ti, they individually coded text segments from the interviews to identify themes and insights.

Throughout the spring, Shaina found herself immersed in conversations that deepened her understanding of public health’s connection to clinical practice. She engaged with physicians in sustained qualitative interviews, listening to their insights and struggles associated with providing vaccinations and improving the health of the people they serve. Through this, she gained a nuanced perspective on the healthcare system and the communication challenges around vaccine hesitancy. Her experience highlighted the importance of building trust and pursuing open, individualized conversations with patients—skills she knows will be invaluable as she begins medical school in the fall.

Her impactful work and initiative were recognized by Dartmouth at her recent Class Day graduation ceremony, where she received an Independent Internship Award, honoring the significance of her work.

Reflecting on the experience, Shaina values the opportunity to witness how policy and advocacy intersect with on-the-ground realities. “What I’ll remember most is figuring out the logistics of research on the fly and seeing how policy advocacy actually works,” she said. “I’m excited to see where this research goes, and I’m proud to have taken part.”

“Dartmouth has given me the tools to confidently approach my future in medicine. Not because I have all the answers, but because I've learned how to ask the right questions, listen to varied perspectives, and understand the complexities of healthcare beyond the clinical side.”

Written by: Mia Soucy

POSTED 6/25/2025 AT 02:30 PM IN #internship #mph #2025