{"id":22122,"date":"2022-05-12T13:10:27","date_gmt":"2022-05-12T13:10:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/?p=22122"},"modified":"2023-09-13T16:09:28","modified_gmt":"2023-09-13T23:09:28","slug":"student-civic-leader","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/news\/2022\/05\/12\/student-civic-leader","title":{"rendered":"Student civic leader"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Ngoc-Vy
Ngoc-Vy Mai<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ngoc-Vy Mai is the kind of person who is always thinking about others and what she can do to perhaps make their lives better. A 2022 graduate of the University of Washington Bothell\u2019s Schools of Nursing & Health Studies<\/a> and Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences<\/a>, she is now bringing this same concern into health care advocacy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By participating in fieldwork internships with Public Health \u2013 Seattle & King County and the Midwives Association of Washington State, Mai has been a voice for marginalized communities as well as a resource for low-income and immigrant communities seeking access to quality and affordable health care. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy dream is for everyone to have equitable and affordable access to reliable, quality health services, as it is imperative to sustaining a healthy society,\u201d she said. \u201cHealth is a social justice issue and the foundation to a prosperous life. It is the most important aspect of a person\u2019s well being.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In recognition of the work Mai has put into making this dream a reality, she has received one of the 2022 Chancellor\u2019s Student Civic Leadership Awards<\/a>. Each year, the University recognizes two student civic leaders. Sponsored by the Washington Campus Compact, this award acknowledges students who address critical issues on campus and in their communities through service and social entrepreneurship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Kristin G. Esterberg, UW Bothell chancellor said, \u201cVy has inspired her peers and community through her public service. Her work with marginalized communities is extraordinary, and her initiative on important issues is impactful. It has been my pleasure to learn more about her and recognize her with this award.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Dr.
Dr. Kristin G. Esterberg supporting Mai at the recognition ceremony <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Fight for rights <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mai pursued the public health internship her sophomore year of college. She worked with Eastgate Public Health Center, a low-cost clinic that works to protect and improve the health and well-being of those in the county. She worked in the teen clinic where teenagers can get sex education, information on the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and free birth control. \u201cThis was a really rewarding experience for me because I actually utilized the services offered by the center when I was younger,\u201d Mai said. \u201cIt was great to give back to the community that gave so much to me.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During her time at the organization, she created a bus banner ad to promote the clinic and its services. \u201cWe wanted teens to benefit from the free or low-cost services offered at the center and to remind them that it is okay to talk about their sexual health,\u201d she said. \u201cOur banner included the hashtag #TalkingIsPower to encourage teens to talk about their sexual health with doctors, parents or partners.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mai continued her advocacy on sexual and reproductive rights in the course, Program Planning and Strategies for Health Promotion, later that summer. Throughout the class, she conducted research on education and promotion of sexual and reproductive health within the migrant and season agricultural workers community. \u201cWe created a program using data from an already established program that was created for Hispanic women in South Florida called SEPA,\u201d she said. [SEPA stands for Salud, Educaci\u00f3n, Promoci\u00f3n y Autocuidado or Health, Education, Promotion and Self-care.] <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur goal was to improve sexual and reproductive health by educating the community about prevention of sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies in ways that are relevant and culturally appropriate,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coming full circle <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In her junior year, Mai went on to work with the Midwives Association of Washington State right when the coronavirus pandemic hit. The organization had just launched a coalition to respond to concerns and potential effects on midwives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She conducted research on how COVID-19 affects the midwifery community and created a survey to measure its impacts. The data collected was used to create a protocol for best practices for midwives. The survey results also illustrated for MAWS the importance of focusing on literacy, advocacy and prevention of maternal deaths, especially in Black and Indigenous communities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wanted to be able to do something good during a really bad time,\u201d Mai said. \u201cI have also had an interest in midwifery ever since I witnessed the birth of my sister, who is 11 years younger than me. A lot of things went wrong, and from that experience I knew that if I had kids, I would want to have a midwife. So getting to be a part of the field was really exciting for me.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, she has a professional role in the field and with the association. Mai was hired in January as the new executive director of MAWS, in part responsible for overseeing UW Bothell students doing similar fieldwork. \u201cIt feels like coming full circle,\u201d she said. \u201cI am thrilled to be in this position and doing work I am passionate about.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expanding influence <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAWS had been working on a bill that would authorize licensed midwives to prescribe contraceptives and to manage common conditions of pregnancy for their clients. After Mai was hired, she was able to witness the bill go through the Washington State House of Representatives, the Washington State Senate and then on to the governor\u2019s desk where it was signed into law. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was so cool to see that firsthand and actually talk to the governor about the bill,\u201d Mai said. \u201cIt ties into the work I did with women\u2019s sexual and reproductive rights as well as the work I did with the clinic. It felt like everything came together and was a big step forward in achieving my goals.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Vy
Gov. Jay Inslee recognizes Mai for her outstanding work<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the fall, she will be furthering her goal of making health care more accessible by starting a master\u2019s program in Health Administration at the UW in Seattle. She hopes to use what she learns to expand the impact of MAWS within the midwifery community and eventually take on a larger leadership positions as a woman of color and an immigrant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI want to be able to advocate for people like my mom who can\u2019t speak English or for anyone who can\u2019t advocate for themselves,\u201d Mai said. \u201cBefore I came to UW Bothell, I was shy, but the University taught me to use my voice and to be proud of my heritage. Ultimately, I hope to inspire others to do the same.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Making an impact <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alumna Vy Nguyen \u201912 nominated Mai for the award and said, \u201cShe goes above and beyond to create a safe and enriching environment for everyone. She is an immigrant and a first-generation college student and has fought hard to become the exceptional woman she is by staying humble, committed and motivated in her passions and goals.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mai\u2019s response to winning the award is perhaps not surprising: \u201cThese are all things I am passionate about so it was never about the recognition,\u201d she said. \u201cBut to hear that what I am doing actually matters to people feels really good. I hope to do more impactful and intentional work in the future.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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