Health Beyond Barriers -- The Beginning

Welcome to a world where healthcare is a right, not a privilege.

Who Am I?

Hi! I'm Vidhi Bansal, a rising junior in the Academy for Medical Science Technology at Bergen County Academies. As a hopeful neurologist, I've always been captivated by the intricacies of the human brain and the profound impact healthcare has on individuals' lives. This became especially clear to me through my different experiences with the medical systems of India and the United States.

I was 8 years old when my 2-year-old brother was diagnosed with typhoid in India, and we had to sit with him for hours in a cramped clinic as he got glucose through an IV. A few years later, my grandmother was diagnosed with tuberculosis, and she lost her hearing in a surgery with side effects we were never informed of. Then, 2 years ago, my other grandmother was diagnosed with bone cancer, and I saw firsthand how little my family knew about her disease and her treatment. Doctors were not forthcoming, and none of my family members had an adequate support system.

Having witnessed the disparities and inequalities in healthcare firsthand, both in India and the United States, I  realized the urgent need for change in conversation. I had the opportunity to take classes at BCA related to the medical field and I talked to patients and doctors with a variety of experiences. These classes revealed to me how much trust we all place in the medical system, and the responsibility that professionals have to the public and their patients. My own research on Neurofibromatosis Type I further fueled my passion to break down barriers and challenge biases. 

Through my journey as a Model UN delegate, I discovered the power of advocacy and the importance of discussing global issues. Combining my love for medicine and my advocacy work, I'm determined to create a platform where we can confront the challenges plaguing our healthcare system head-on. So many issues exist in how we perceive race, gender, mental health, religion, culture, and other differences in the medical field. These issues affect how patients and doctors interact, clinical trials, healthcare outcomes, and access to basic human rights.

Through Health Beyond Barriers, I want to shed light on diverse experiences, bring attention to research about healthcare diversity, and promote conversation to shape a more compassionate and inclusive future.

What is Health Beyond Barriers?

It's a blog, a podcast, hopefully another step in a vital conversation that many people don't even know exists. Every week, I hope to present research that I compile on different issues related to healthcare diversity. I want to hear from patients, professionals, and researchers across the medical world and bring their stories forward. I want to shed light on why cultural traditions are an essential part of palliative care and how gender is perceived in the healthcare systems of different countries. Most importantly, I want to hear what you care about. I want to hear what your hope and dreams and fears are as you navigate different careers and lifestyles in a rapidly changing world. I want to play a role in how you talk about healthcare with your friends and families, and help you do as much as you want to improve diversity in the healthcare system.

Will you help?

As a Model UN delegate, I motion for change and conversation. The question is WHO are you? WHO do you want to be? And will you help me join me in Health Beyond Barriers, where the stakes are high, the conversation is urgent, and the quest for a more just and inclusive healthcare system begins?

Follow me on Instagram @healthbeyondbarriers and follow my blog and listen to my podcast every week on Spotify.