UCSF Center of Excellence Intern Learns Through Experience

While many college students use their senior year as a time to wrap up coursework and study for finals, Tori Sutherland chose this time to experience women's health hands on. Now a 20-year-old college graduate of Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, Sutherland knew by age 16 that she wanted to dedicate her life to helping others. "I've always known that I wanted to be a physician," said Sutherland. "My focus was refined during a year I spent with a host family in France. I was inspired by their commitment to research and humanitarian organizations such as Doctors Without Borders. It was at this point that I became interested in international medicine." Sutherland, a Houston, Texas, native, completed an interdisciplinary major in international medicine and minored in French, with the ultimate goal of working in international reproductive health. Because she was seeking experience and exposure to working opportunities in women's health, Sutherland submitted an application to the UCSF National Center of Excellence in Women's Health Internship Program. "Her timing was great," said Nancy Milliken, MD, UCSF associate clinical professor of medicine and director of the Center of Excellence (CoE). "We had a unique opportunity that fit her unique interests. We received her application in January, and by February she was on her way to Egypt as part of our program." Sutherland traveled to Egypt, Yemen and Nigeria to work as an intern for Suellen Miller, CNM, PhD, director of Safe Motherhood Programs at the UCSF Women's Global Health Imperative. Miller was coordinating study sites for an anti-shock garment designed to reduce the high rate of mortality in women who suffered from obstetrical hemorrhaging after childbirth. "She received complete exposure to international maternal mortality sites as part of our study," said Miller. "What she experienced would be a challenge to even a veteran health worker." Sutherland was exposed to conditions and situations in hospitals and health facilities that were subpar - some with very basic equipment, little medication and staff that was dedicated, but overstretched. "I saw things that one might never see in the US," Sutherland recalled. "It was heartbreaking to watch women suffer from fistula, and stand by while others died of postpartum hemorrhage and eclampsia. The inherent tragedy was that almost all of these women could have been treated and saved with technology available in the US. What I witnessed with Dr. Miller was the harsh reality of women's health care in many developing nations." Her internship was not traditional; the general scope of her trip was visiting the hospitals and facilities where the anti-shock garment would be tested, and seeing the women in need. She had the opportunity to "do everything," from communications and collecting data to assisting wherever needed. "After the first day, she truly thought about changing her career path," said Miller. "But instead, she became even more determined to follow her passion and dream." "The courage and fortitude of the physicians we worked with is awe-inspiring. Often their only resource is their talent, and they work against terrible odds to save women's lives," said Sutherland. "Their plight made me determined to become the best physician that I can be in order to help make a difference in women's health care in developing nations. I am so grateful to the CoE for connecting me with this opportunity." Interns seeking experience in and exposure to women's health are connected to various resources and programs within their interest, time commitment constraints and skill level. "The CoE internship program is open to all prospective and eligible women and men," said Milliken. "We're here to help cultivate the next generation of women's health leaders. By giving them the tools to develop their skills, we all benefit." Since 1996, the CoE has matched more than 200 interns to women's health projects, and has helped individuals achieve their goals while supporting the overall mission of the CoE to serve women and girls. In March, Sutherland was awarded a fellowship from the Thomas J. Watson Foundation, which provides $25,000 and the opportunity to travel for a year and work in countries outside the United States. She will embark on her yearlong study after her UCSF CoE internship ends. Her travels will take her to three developing nations - India, Botswana and Senegal - where she will be able to explore women's health issues, including HIV and fistula. Milliken and Miller both agree: "Building on the skills and talent she has from her internship experience, she will go far."