Hello from Majuli Island! It is a breathtaking place tucked away in the northeastern state of Assam, India. I feel incredibly lucky to be here, surrounded by lush greenery, the winding Brahmaputra River, and most importantly, a community that has welcomed me with such warmth and kindness. I’m staying in a cozy cottage alongside my project partner, Bhagya Nair, and our little haven is part of a cluster of cottages that share a lovely restaurant where we enjoy traditional meals from the local Mising tribe. Our daily commute to work is anything but ordinary. We navigate curvy roads filled with cows, goats, roosters, and the occasional monkey!
This summer, I am collaborating with Sunbird Trust, a local education NGO, to conduct a community health camp across eight private schools on the island. My partner, Bhagya, who holds a Bachelor of Dental Surgery and a Master's in Public Health, is leading health screenings for students aged 12 to 16. In the two days following the screenings at each school, I will be facilitating a series of interactive health education workshops on topics including nutrition and iron-deficiency anemia, stress management, sanitation and hygiene, first aid and basic life support, and menstrual health. Bhagya will also be teaching a dental hygiene workshop. We will begin at Arda Public School in Majuli this Wednesday. I've attached a photo of me with the school's wonderful principal, Kishore Doley, and his family from our introductory meeting.
This experience is completely different from last summer’s research, which took place at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital in New York City. There, I worked in a highly resourced pediatric cardiology unit, advocating for athletic participation among children with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Though the settings couldn’t be more different, one rooted in an urban hospital, the other in the villages of rural India, the heart of both projects remains the same: empowering young humans to take ownership of their health and well-being.
This project has already pushed me far outside my comfort zone. I’m living in a country I had never been to before this, working in communities where I often don’t speak the language, and stepping into a role I’ve never played before: educator. I’ve gone from being the student to being the teacher. It is a transition that challenges me to communicate in new ways, to lead with empathy, and to truly earn the trust of these students. Every day has, and will continue to bring, a new lesson. I am so excited for the experience of a lifetime! I am beyond grateful to the Laidlaw Foundation for making this extraordinary opportunity possible.
Hello! I'm Tatum, a rising junior at Columbia University originally from Columbus, Ohio. I’m studying Biology on the pre-med track with aspirations of becoming a pediatric physician. My passion for pediatric cardiology stems from my own experience as a child with congenital heart disease.
This summer, as my Laidlaw Leadership-in-Action project, I’ve traveled to Majuli Island in Assam, India, to conduct a community health initiative in partnership with Sunbird Trust, a local educational NGO. My project includes leading interactive health education workshops for adolescents across eight private schools, covering topics like nutrition, stress management, menstrual health, first aid, and sanitation. It has been an eye-opening opportunity to step into the role of educator, connect across cultures, and help empower students to take charge of their health.
Last summer, I completed my first summer Laidlaw research project at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, where I built a database of over 700 pediatric cardiomyopathy patients and analyzed athletic restriction patterns for children with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. That work is now being developed into a publication.
Beyond the classroom and clinic, I’m a student-athlete on Columbia’s softball team, a member of Columbia Christian Athletes, and part of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. I love exploring NYC, especially through food, performances, long walks, and bike rides! I also value time spent simply relaxing with family and loved ones.
I’m incredibly grateful to the Laidlaw Foundation for supporting both my research and leadership journeys. I look forward to continuing to grow as a scholar, leader, and future physician.
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Sounds incredible, Tatum! Can't wait to read more!