Buzzin’ Brood: Student Spotlight, Stephanie Kambo, B.S. Health Management
Stephanie Kambo, an intern for BLUE KNIGHT™, hails from Bowie, Maryland, and is a senior pursuing a B.S. in Health Management at Howard University, where she previously earned an A.S. in Health Sciences from Prince George’s Community College. She is also actively involved in NAACP and GlobeMed.
August 22, 2024
| This article is part of our Buzzin’ Brood Student Spotlight series, one of our ongoing People & Places Features. We are thrilled to spotlight the next generation of industry. Be sure to FOLLOW us on LinkedIn to tell us what you think and let us know if you have a student or intern you’d like us to feature. |
How did you get here?
As a child, I walked around with a stethoscope instead of a teddy bear. Being a doctor was my greatest dream, but as I grew older the reality of 80 hour work weeks became less and less appealing. While my passion for hospitals and patient care remained strong, the thought of actually treating patients terrified me. Grateful that my associate’s degree in Health Sciences was versatile enough to do practically anything, I was still at a crossroads choosing my next step.
In the midst of the well-known dilemma of picking a major at a four-year institution, there was one thing I knew for certain: I love leading. I love making strategic decisions and taking responsibility for the outcomes of those decisions, good or bad. I just didn’t know how to incorporate that love for leadership with my passion for health care. Then, somewhere on the list of hundreds of majors and minors that Howard University has to offer I saw “Health Management.” At that moment, I realized there was a perfect place for me – to be surrounded by the vulnerability of illness, just behind the scenes.
What is currently blowing your mind right now?
Every day, I’m amazed by the trailblazing technologies emerging within the biotech startup sector and the capacity these companies hold to revolutionize healthcare. The rapid advancements in this field are not just innovations, but they represent a future where healthcare could be more efficient and accessible than ever before.
During my internship at BLUE KNIGHT™, a joint initiative between Johnson & Johnson Innovation and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I have the privilege of engaging with a diverse range of companies on the cutting edge of this transformation. These startups aren’t just developing new technologies, they’re fundamentally rethinking the entire global health field.
The technologies I’ve encountered have the potential to do more than we could have imagined – redefining how we approach diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. From AI-driven therapeutics to groundbreaking medical devices, the possibilities are endless. Each interaction with these innovators strengthens my belief that we are on the brink of a healthcare revolution, one where these developments will not only save lives but enhance global health security worldwide. That’s why I’m so driven to the healthcare space – because I know the most exciting breakthroughs are still on the horizon.
If you could explain yourself right now in only emojis, what would those be?
If you could travel into the future… what does your LinkedIn Headline say?
Senior Director of Operations, Patient Care Services
I hope to one day create and enforce the policies that lead to better patient outcomes and the optimal health of underserved communities. Having familial experiences with health disparities has ignited a deep and unwavering passion within me for health equity and global health security. This drive compels me to take action and create significant change within current healthcare systems. By addressing these disparities and advocating for comprehensive, inclusive healthcare policies, I aim to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those who need it most.
What is your favorite quote and why?
“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and inhumane.”
While not the most notable of Martin Luther King Jr.’s plethora of impressive quotes, this one resonates with me most. Not only does it reflect the era in which it was spoken, but it attests to the little progress made since then. This quote emphasizes how critical it is to address disparities and inequities, shedding light on their severe consequences. People’s well-being and longevity is dependent on their accessibility to care and the quality of their treatment. This reflection reminds me of why I continue to work towards a system where health equity is not just a dream for some, but a reality for all.
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