Yasmin Goreja was completing her dual masters in public health and social work at the University of Georgia when she served as a Region IV PHTC Pathways to Practice Scholar in the fall of 2021. In her field placement, Yasmin had the opportunity to work with the East Georgia Cancer Coalition (EGCC) to create a new program known as “Love Your Lungs.” This program aims to reduce the prevalence of lung cancer in the region by helping residents quit tobacco through a variety of smoking cessation methods. The program also works to guide healthcare providers with evidence-based resources to assist their patients’ quit attempt. Here is Yasmin’s reflection on her experience in her own words:
The East Georgia Cancer Coalition is an essential asset to the residents of Georgia, especially to individuals who have limited access to cancer-related resources. Creating the Love Your Lungs program has allowed this organization to address a significant, yet under-addressed issue in the state of Georgia and across the coalition region. Moving forward, EGCC should continue to establish the foundation of the program and later expand it to more clinics across the region, especially in rural areas. Going forward, creating a virtual telehealth component of this program could potentially reach a greater target population across the region. Lastly, further research on lung cancer prevalence rates and various demographic tobacco statistics among East Georgia residents is highly recommended to better serve this population.
Working at the East Georgia Cancer Coalition has reaffirmed my belief that access to healthcare is a fundamental right for all individuals. This organization strives to address many cancer-related needs that are often overlooked. Interning here has helped me gain practical experience that I hope to use as a future public health practitioner. The project I worked on allowed me to truly understand tobacco dependence as more than just a “bad habit.” Instead, I learned how addictive nicotine is and how it can chemically alter an individual’s brain, eventually leading to dependence. I hope to continue to use my skills and knowledge on tobacco dependence to spread information to vulnerable populations. EGCC has granted me greater insight into the East Georgia region and its needs, and I am excited to see how the Love your Lungs program continues to unfold.