Reintroducing ADAPs Noni Bourne and Farah Dharamshi

Last week we introduced our new EPI ADAP, Brenda, and this week we wanted to reintroduce you to our incredible current ADAPs! Noni and Farah are incredible resources for our students and we took the opportunity to learn more about their positions within the department in this week’s #WeAreEmoryEPI spotlight.

Where were you before coming to Rollins, and what attracted you most to the school?

Noni: I wanted to work at Emory, and RSPH in particular, because of the school’s reputation for excellence and because of the student-centered approach to education.

Farah: I have a bachelors in science (BS) in environmental studies from the University of Winnipeg (I’m Canadian!), I hold a masters in science and education (MSEd) in public health from the University of Toledo, and a juris master- JM (master in law) in global health law from Emory University. I was a director in the Office of Enrollment Management and Student Services for five years at the Emory University School of Law. 

What in particular made you want to become an ADAP for our department?

Noni: EPI is my favorite department ( ?) because of our department values.  The community that we have, the ways we interact, and the culture of integrity, ambition, rigor, collegiality and inclusion are truly present in our day-to-day interactions.

Farah: I have worked in consulting, and graduate medical education as director of medical education, working primarily with family practice residents. I have conducted research in childhood obesity, and interpersonal violence, and has presented numerous seminars on these topics along with early cognitive development, and women’s preventative health. I am also an active community volunteer, and serves as a principal and teacher on the weekends at an early childhood development center.

What are some examples of things you usually help students with, and some that are less well-known?

Noni: My usual interactions with students focus around course registration and advisement, APE and thesis advice.  The parts that are less well-known are the one-off questions that students come to me with.  If I don’t know the answer, I’ll help you find it!

Farah: The students I advise know a frequent mantra of mine this past year – “give yourself grace”, or “be kind to yourself”. This year has been tough, and I am so proud of our students for facing the continuous challenges with such aplomb. They have been on the front lines, they have dived into social, and public health causes and created new opportunities to participate and give back. There have also been so many students who have experienced loss, grief and too much pain. Grace, compassion and resilience are the cornerstones of how they have gotten through this past year.

What are your goals for working with students moving into the new academic year, as we hope to return to a sense of normalcy at Rollins?

Noni: I’m looking forward to learning more about my advisees and returning to the high energy and enthusiasm environment that we have on campus.

What is a hobby you’ve taken up during the pandemic?

Noni: Oh, I don’t have any hobbies per-se, but my go-to pandemic activities have been very elaborate games of hide-and-seek with my 5-year-old twins, lots of neighborhood walks, Netflix, and keeping (most of) my houseplants alive.

Farah: Running. Every. Single. Day. I have not missed a morning since last year.. I run very early in the morning and log an additional 15-25 miles over the weekends. This is not a “new” hobby, but it is something I have found more joy in. It has saved me this past year.

What are some books or podcasts you are enjoying right now?

Noni: I’m really enjoying escapist sci-fi.  I was recently sucked into The OA on Netflix and also dove into N.K. Jemisin’s books (highly recommend the Broken Earth series). 

Farah:

Podcasts – The Hidden Brain, Brené Brown Unlocking Us & Dare to Lead, On Being.

Books – A Promised Land, The Cost of Living, Caste, White Fragility, Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria: And Other Conversations About Race, The Body Keeps the Score, The Power of Now.

Did you have any other messages or resources you would like to share with students and prospective students?

Noni: Stop by my office hours, Mondays at 11am, I would love to say hi!

Thanks so much to Noni and Farah for chatting with us! Check back next week for another #WeAreEmoryEPI feature.