Student Health Ambassadors
Student Health Ambassadors is new group of health-minded students who serve as ambassadors to the student community. This core group of students is educated about health topics and helps in sharing these messages with other BU students. In addition, the Ambassadors group advises Student Health on its programming, services and customer service. Ambassadors apply, interview and are chosen in the summer before each academic year.
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Ambassadors:
Kaye Brathwaite
CAS 2009
Major(s): Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Why did you become a SHA? I became a Student Health Ambassador because I wanted to be involved in something health related. I believed that the Health Ambassadors would have a great impact on student life, as well as urge me to be more adamant in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I was also intrigued by some of the previous Ambassadors? shadowing experiences and knew that I had to be a part of it.
What’s your favorite health topic? My favorite health topic is hand hygiene. Hand washing and sanitizing are very effective in reducing the spread of germs. Oftentimes people do not practice good cough etiquette, and cough into their hands, rather than into their sleeves. Frequent hand washing is a simple way to reduce contamination.
What’s your favorite healthy habit? My favorite healthy habit is de-stressing. I love at the end of a strenuous week to take a run on the FitRec track. I try to run a mile each time and after stretching my body feels completely rejuvenated.
Other activities/affiliations: I work at Boston Medical Center doing clinical research with the Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition. I also volunteer at Children’s Hospital in the Infants and Toddlers Unit.
Tanya Ayzikovich
CAS 2010
Major(s): Biological Anthropology
Why did you become a SHA? I wanted to take a more active role in the BU community, help the student body be aware of important health issues, and be able to get experience with Student Health Services and the health care sector of BU.
What's your favorite health topic? Nutrition.
What's your favorite healthy habit? Eating organic fruits and veggies.
Other activities/affiliations: Unite for Sight, Educational Resource Center tutor, CAS Honors Program, CAS Honors Chamber Orchestra
Mohit Butaney
ENG 2009
Major(s): Biomedical Engineering/Pre-med/Minor in Business Administration
Why did you become a SHA? It's always been about helping people and service for me. Since helping out at my dad's clinic when I was younger to community service activities here at BU on a large scale, I’ve always felt the most amazing and fulfilling feeling on completing what I regard as my responsibility to the society. Being a student health ambassador was just another great opportunity to continue what I feel I do well. One of major reason I really wanted to be a health ambassador was to actually eliminate all the misconceptions that students have about health related issues such as smoking, STDS, alcoholism etc. and to improve their general knowledge about health issues specially those on campus, thus helping the BU community make more educated decisions about health related issues. Together we can and we will make a difference!
What's your favorite health topic? It’s a hard decision between STDs and Smoking.
What's your favorite healthy habit? "Safe sex is great sex, so better wear that latex"… but other than that always making sure my hands are clean.
Other activities/affiliations: Multicultural Greek Council (Co-chair), Sigma Beta Rho Fraternity Inc. (VP and Community Service Chair), College of Engineering Deans Host (Deans Host), Biomedical engineering research (BU/BIDMC Orthopedics Biomechanics Lab), BU Badminton, Boston University India Club
Nicole Cantwell
CAS 2009
Major(s): Biology with a specialization in Neuroscience
Why did you become a SHA? I became a SHA in order to learn more about public health and expand my health education while working to help other Boston University students realize the value and necessity of practicing good health. I also want to provide students another resource on campus to discuss health questions or concerns in an open environment.
What’s your favorite health topic? I am most interested in the effects of stress on mental and physical health.
What’s your favorite healthy habit? I really enjoy getting a healthy amount of sleep every night, usually 7-8 hours. Even when I have a lot going on in my life, I always try to plan the time to rest so that I do not run myself down.
Other activities/affiliations: President of the CAS Dean’s Hosts, President’s Host, BU Choral Society and BU Choral Society Chambers Ensemble, Broomball
Jhill Shah
SAR 2011
Major(s): Human Physiology
Why did you become a SHA? An SHA has the power to make a difference in the lives of our peers by promoting healthy habits, both big and small. I became an SHA to have the opportunity to make that difference in order to help all of fellow Terriers.
What’s your favorite health topic? Effects of Alcohol and Drug Abuse
What’s your favorite healthy habit? Washing my hands and using hand sanitizer!!!!
Other activities/affiliations: Health Educator (BU Peer Health Exchange), Member of BU India Club
Yasmin Akbari
CAS 2010
Major(s): Biology, Computer Science
Why did you become a SHA? I've always been interested in medicine and peer mentoring, so becoming an SHA has been a nice way to integrate the two through health education.
What’s your favorite health topic? Nutrition; mental health and behavior
What’s your favorite healthy habit? Rock climbing at FitRec; drinking tea
Other activities/affiliations: BUSM General Urology/Pathology research laboratory, Global Alliance to Immunize Against AIDS, CAS Honors Peer Mentoring, Association for Computer Machinery
Gregory Churchill
CAS 2010
Major(s): Biology
Why did you become a SHA? I became a SHA because I wanted to explore many different aspects of the health field. This approach focuses more on public health and allows me to work directly with the university community.
What's your favorite health topic? My favorite health topic is sexual health because it is one of the more relevant issues on a college campus.
What's your favorite healthy habit? My favorite healthy habit is drinking chamomile tea and stretching before I go to bed.
Other activities/affiliations: Zeta Beta Tau Brother and Philanthropy Chairman
Laura Greco
CAS 2011
Major(s): Biology
Why did you become a SHA? I became an SHA for the opportunity to portray important health information to my peers
What’s your favorite health topic? My favorite health topic is the prevention of the spread of infectious disease in college communities.
What’s your favorite healthy habit? My favorite healthy habit is exercising by taking classes at FitRec.
Other activities/affiliations: BU Red Cross, Sigma Alpha Lambda honors society, and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Chris Meltsakos
SAR 2010
Major(s): Human Physiology
Why did you become a SHA? I joined SHA because I love the potential that promoting health and wellness has in making a difference in other student's lives and improving the overall campus life for everyone.
What’s your favorite health topic? Exercise and Sexual Health
What’s your favorite healthy habit? Exercising regularly
Other activities/affiliations: Intramural soccer (Outlaws FC), BU Hellenic Association, Sargent College Honors Society (organize Sargent events)
Jamie Lynne Metzinger
CAS/SAR 2009
Major(s): BUCOP program in Human Physiology and French Language and Literature
Why did you become a SHA? I became a Student Health Ambassador because I want to help students find the information they need about their health in a fun, comfortable way.
What’s your favorite health topic? Drug Abuse Awareness
What’s your favorite healthy habit? I like to run and cook healthy meals.
Other activities/affiliations: Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, Peer Health Exchange, Alpine Ski Team
