![\"CAHNR](\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/cahnr_10th_blue-green-300x139.png\")
Kyerematen, an allied health sciences<\/a> major, was inspired by the courses she took in her program to move into the policy world.<\/p>\nThrough classes on health and food policy in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, Kyerematen became interested in applying her knowledge on the kind of broad scale rather than with individual patients.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn health care, a lot of what is discussed relates to the patient care side, the face-to-face interactions on the individual level,\u201d Kyerematen says. \u201cBut what really draws me to health policy is the fact that it can have an impact on more than just one person. It can have a state-wide, or a nation-wide impact.\u201d<\/p>\n As an intern for Rep. Hayes, Kyerematen responds to constituent questions and relays their concerns to Hayes. She also helps research new bills that Hayes may be interested in sponsoring and attends committee meetings.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been very enlightening,\u201d Kyerematen says. \u201cWe learn about the government in school, but to see it in action is something different.\u201d<\/p>\n Rep. Hayes, inspired by her time as a teacher, has her interns complete capstone projects at the end of the summer.<\/p>\n Kyerematen\u2019s project is a newsletter for constituents and healthcare advocacy groups about Hayes\u2019 work on reproductive rights. This aligns with Kyerematen\u2019s interests in maternal health and health disparities for Black mothers, as well as food policy through programs like SNAP.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m very invested in maternal health,\u201d Kyerematen says. \u201cI\u2019m also passionate about food policy in general. I think it\u2019s so interesting [how] a lot of agriculture and education policies intertwine with these elements of our health and how important it is.\u201d<\/p>\n Kyerematen is on the fast-track program to receive her master\u2019s degree in public health from UConn Health after completing her bachelor\u2019s degree. Then, Kyerematen says she plans to return to the Hill and work in health policy.<\/p>\n Her internship was organized through the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. The program has a total of 67 interns this summer.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s nice to see other people from different backgrounds connecting and going to receptions and networking on the Hill,\u201d Kyerematen says. \u201cI think it\u2019s been a very rewarding experience.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This work relates to CAHNR\u2019s Strategic Vision area focused on\u00a0<\/em>Enhancing Health and Well-Being Locally, Nationally, and Globally.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n![\"Kyerematan](\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_4595.jpg\")