About | Ruth Marcelyne Odhia

Who I Am:

My name is Ruth Marcelyne Auma Odhiambo, I am a third year HSS Bachelor of Health System Science student at the University of Witwatersrand. I am studying this degree because I believe that it will help me be a better healthcare professional when I eventually achieve my goal of becoming either a Epidemiologist or Biostatician working for the World Health Organisation or a Medical doctor.

The HSS 1 course was a great opportunity for me develop communication and academic writing skills which I looked forward to. I have a reflection below detailing my overall experience below, should it interest you.

I am goal-oriented and ensure that I do my best to achieve the standards that I have set for myself. I value the effort that I put into the work even if I do not see the results that I want. I believe that I get better with every shortfall.

In Heath System Science 1 I became a more well-rounded person as a future health professional. I learned how to manage my time, how to evaluate situations from a variety of perspectives, how to improve my academic writing, and to understand that building a good health system takes time. HSS 2 continued to build upon these qualities that I picked up in HSS 1. Additionally, HSS 2 helped me realise that I love to understand the reason why something is the way it is meaning that I don’t only enjoy HSS, but also enjoy the history component where I learn the precursor to the health system that exists today.

As an HSS student I am expanding my understanding of health systems beyond the components that patients would interact with such as health workers. With this portfolio I get to share the accumulating knowledge as I navigate HSS 3.

[My Curriculum Vitae]

My Volunteer Experience

UNICEF Volunteer 2024
UNICEF Volunteer: Nutrition and Health Committee 2024
Girton Hall Residence Fund Raising Subcommittee 2024

Through my volunteering experiences I hope to realise the benefits of volunteering. Volunteering offers a multitude of benefits, including a sense of purpose, networking/meeting peers, improved social skills, increased self-esteem, and the opportunity to learn valuable skills. It’s a way to make a positive impact while also enriching your own life. I believe that on my journey to being a healthcare professional these benefits will help me to be able to give back to individuals and communities that I will serve.

Benefits of volunteering include but are not limited to:

Improvement of mental health and emotional well-being: Volunteering decreases the levels of stress, anger and anxiety that can sometimes arise from the busy school schedule. Volunteering is able to improve one's moods by increasing because it provides opportunities for social interaction, to help and improve the lives of the people who live in your community and being involved in a project that is for a good cause which is bigger than one's self.
It refines 21st Century skills (also known as soft skills): In volunteering there are opportunities for the development of collaborative, problem-solving and Initiative skills. Collaborative skills are develop when volunteers work with others to achieve a goal, they are demonstrating their teamwork and interpersonal skills, as well as when they are able to refine their leadership and communication to work with other effectively. Problem-solving in resource constrained and time constrained communities teaches volunteers how to problem-solve creatively. Volunteering requires someone who is willing to take proactive measures in their work.
Networking/Meeting Peers: Volunteering is one way to meet people who you share a common interest with, thus volunteers are able to network with a diverse group of peers and mentors.
Increase self-understanding, independence and confidence: Volunteers are exposed to a variety of scenarios in different communities which sometimes require decision-making and problem-solve on the spot. These experiences allows for volunteers to fully come into their independence and grow confidence in their skills as well understand their strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.

My Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths:

I am able to complete projects in a timely manner.
I enjoy taking on new projects.
I look forward to learning new skills through every project that I am involved in.
I able to communicate clearly and effectively.
I manage my time well.

Weaknesses:

Delegation of task in projects.

Reflection on this weakness at the end of the 2023 year:

However, through the multitude of group projects that I have partaken in, I have realised the importance on delegation in ensuring the excellence of work produced. Through collaboration with team members, I have learned that tasks should be delegated according to strengths. This has enabled me to move past my task hoarding instincts.

Stalling of tasks which I am struggling to understand the objectives. I struggle understanding how to approach tasks without clear objectives or instructions or tasks which are based on knowledge I have not acquired yet.

Reflection on this weakness at the end of the 2023 year:

The term paper assignments which were assigned twice every semester have enabled me to understand that this weakness stemmed from my curiosity not being robustly developed. Hence, I developed an approach of doing extensive research and reading to the best of my ability. As I acquired knowledge, I would begin to ask questions of my own as well as understand what was required from me in tasks which presented more open-ended questions.

As I work on the following competencies I hope to recognise and begin to develop more strengths as well as recognise weaknesses that I was not able to last year (2023):

The HSS competencies
21st Century Skills
Business Competencies
Research Competencies
IT competencies
Writing competencies
Presentation Skills

How I spend my free time:

In my free time I enjoy watching Anime, watching Movies, Reading, and Listening to Podcasts. Here are a few of my favorite from what I've watched so far this year:

Anime:

Buddy Daddies
JoJo Bizarre Adventures
Attack on Titan

Movies:

Dune 2
Anna Karenina
Jane Eyre

Podcasts:

Pints with Aquinas
Jordan Peterson
Chris Wiiliamson
Andrew Huberman

I also enjoy hiking and running (on the tread mile through), ocassionally.

My Academic Profile

Reflecting Back On HSS 1

Self-Assurance and Writing Abilities:

I noticed an increase in self-assurance regarding their writing abilities. Initially, academic papers seemed challenging, but as I learned applied reading and writing skills, it became easier to express my ideas on paper.

Deeper Understanding of Health Systems:

I developed a deeper understanding of health systems and opened me to exploring the South African public health system.

Group Projects and Personal Growth:

Working on group projects during the course helped me develop as a person. I learned to consider others’ perspectives and adapt their thinking, even when initially convinced of my own conclusions.

Time Management Skills:

The course also improved the my time-management skills. I made a conscious effort to complete assignments, activities, and reflections within the allotted time frame.

Overall Impact:

HSS (Health Systems Sciences) contributed to the my growth as a future health professional by teaching them time management, multi-perspective evaluation, academic writing improvement, and patience in building a robust health system.

Reflecting Back On HSS 2

Historical Perspective:

In Medical Humanities for Health, we explored history not to blame our current health system on the past, but to learn from past challenges. By understanding the stumbling blocks faced in solving complex health system problems, we gain valuable insights.

Resuscitated Creativity:

HSS revived my creativity, allowing me to delve into a spring of knowledge. Through Group Presentation Projects, Term Papers, and Group Reports, I conducted research on intriguing topics and presented them creatively. I even learned to use tools like Canva, which added an element of fun!

Embracing Curiosity:

HSS lectures encouraged my natural curiosity. Unlike other courses, I critique complex issues only after understanding their background. Recognizing that health systems impact both patients and healthcare workers, I now have the tools to form well-informed opinions while considering nuances.

Groupwork Skills:

Collaborating with classmates in HSS 2 improved my communication and writing skills. I express ideas clearly and concisely, and my vocabulary and paragraph construction have progressed significantly.

Creating My Path:

HSS 2 opened my mind to the possibility of forging a unique career path—one that positively impacts South African communities.

In conclusion, HSS has reignited my curiosity, enhanced my writing abilities, and equipped me with valuable research skills. As a future health professional, biostatistician, or epidemiologist, I’m hopeful about applying these skills in my chosen career.

My Academic and Research Goals for 2024

Achieve A Distinction For Public Heath And Health Systems Science III.

This is important for me to secure a placement in the postgraduate options that I am interested in.

Be On Dean's List 2024 And Graduate Cum Laude

This is a goal that I have had since first year, it would bring my great joy and happiness to achieve it at the end of this year.

Further Develop My Research Writing Skills.

I believe that mastering this skill will be helpful in for my postgraduate studies, Honours in Public Health, Virology, or Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. The Fundamental Writing Skills for Researchers series is one of the many resources that I refer to as I work towards this goal.

Balance Academics and Well-being

In both first and second year I was highly academically oriented and towards the end of second year I began to understand the importance of taking care of one's well-being. I was experiencing burn out which caused the relationship between hard work and good grades to not be a linear relationship. So this year I decided to prioritize my well-being by involving myself in volunteer activities.

My Acheivements