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Syvertsen Fellow Seeks to Combine Research and Clinical Practice to Broaden Impact of Patient Care

In the fall of 2014, Fadzai Chinyengetere (PhD’13, Med’15) was one of six students at the Geisel School of Medicine selected by a faculty committee as a Syvertsen Scholar. The award, which honors former Dean Rolf C. Syvertsen, is based on academic achievement, leadership qualities, and community involvement. She was later chosen as the 2014-2015 Syvertsen Fellow, a distinctive honor bestowed on one of the Scholars each year.

Chinyengetere grew up in Zimbabwe, an African nation ravaged by HIV/AIDS, where she witnessed the devastation in her community and immediate family.

“At a young age, this strongly motivated me to aspire to become a medical doctor and join efforts to reduce the suffering and mortality caused by AIDS,” Chinyengetere says. “Two decades later, I’ve been fortunate to pursue this dream, thanks to the unique opportunity that I’ve had to come to the U.S. and train in science and medicine.”

Chinyengetere entered the MD-PhD dual degree program at the Geisel and earned her PhD in June 2013. She expects to earn her MD in June 2015. As part of her PhD studies, she was involved in research on cancer therapies and co-authored several research articles that were published in professional medical journals. Chinyengetere also presented a paper at the American Association of Cancer Research Annual Meeting in 2013.

Through her studies, Chinyengetere has determined that specializing in internal medicine will enable her to serve the majority of patients and families in need of medical care in her homeland.

“I am exceptionally passionate about healthcare and innovation in medical treatment through research for diseases that are prevalent in my community, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa,” she says. “I believe that simple innovations can have a substantial impact in overcoming the shortages in resources and personnel that often underlie the continued suffering and lack of progress there.”

As a student, Chinyengetere focused her attention on caring for minority and other medically underserved populations in the region. She volunteered for the Burlington (Vermont) Refugee Clinic to educate patients about health and healthcare, and for the Upper Valley’s Women’s Information Service, where she has provided direct support for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Chinyengetere also worked with Geisel’s Multicultural Affairs Office to organize and participate in the school’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration, which addresses healthcare issues that disproportionately affect underrepresented groups.

“Globally, these underserved populations share the same spectrum of diseases that mirror those in my own community,” Chinyengetere says. “I believe that as a physician-scientist, I have the potential to have a huge impact by serving these populations through simple and cost-effective public health programs.”

The Geisel faculty and residents who have worked closely with Chinyengetere have lauded her clinical judgment, medical knowledge, and work ethic—important qualities for an aspiring doctor. They have also noted her less quantifiable assets, such as strong interpersonal skills, and empathy, which have helped her to earn the trust and respect of her patients and their families.

Now in her last semester at Geisel, Chinyengetere plans to enroll in a clinical program focused on diverse patient populations that will prepare her to return to serve the people in her homeland.

“My ambition in life is to use the biomedical research skills that I’ve acquired during my PhD in implementing simple, innovative approaches that will lead toward improving the delivery of health care,” she says. “I hope to maintain both the clinical and research components of my career as an opportunity to broaden my impact.”