ICCA Student Section
Who We Are
The Illinois Clinicians for Climate Action (ICCA) Student Section is a group of health professions students based in Illinois who are using their voice to advocate for climate policy and education due to the health implications of climate change. Composed of various student sections from individual universities, including Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, we collectively work as a larger group towards the goals of the ICCA as a whole.
Our Team
Neha Basti
Neha is a third-year medical student at the Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University. She studied Neuroscience and Sociology at Northwestern University and served in AmeriCorps prior to medical school. Neha’s interest in climate advocacy began through her childhood passion for environmental conservation. Upon starting medical school, she saw the need for increased medical education and training on the health effects of the changing climate. At Chicago Medical School, Neha is the Founding Co-Director the school chapter of the Planetary Health Report Card (PHRC).
Allison Monie
Allison Monie is a third year medical student at the Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University. She studied Molecular & Cellular Biology at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and worked as a research coordinator with an endocrinologist prior to medical school, working primarily on medication trials to treat type 2 diabetes. It was during this time she observed the build up of used needles and other medical waste and the lack of safe, accessible and environmentally-friendly disposal options for patients. She is interested in the impact of medical waste on the environment, research on more sustainable waste practices and how to improve patient education regarding climate change and health outcomes. Allison is a member of the ICCA Student Section and a Co-Director of the Chicago Medical School's chapter of the Planetary Health Report Card (PHRC).
Alan Wang
Alan is a third-year medical student at the Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University. He studied Neuroscience at Washington University in St. Louis prior to attending medical school. He initially became interested in climate change advocacy through his experiences with the impacts of pollution on the local environment during his time as a Boy Scout. He is a member of the ICCA and is interested in climate-centered educational initiatives both within the medical community and the community at large, and is also interested in exploring the impacts of the climate crisis on health outcomes through research.
Ireland Flannery
Ireland is a third year medical student at the Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University. She is interested in OBGYN as a speciality and how the climate crisis affects the pregnant population and future generations as a whole. Ireland has been vegan for eight years and is also passionate about how agriculture contributes to our planetary health. She hopes that ICCA Student Section can serve as a platform for the next generation of physicians to create not only an environmentally conscious medicinal field, but also one that actively works to mitigate climate crisis.
What We Do
Our goal is to create a hub for health professional students across Illinois who are engaged with climate-related advocacy. We aim to create an organization that empowers students to get involved in climate advocacy and connect with like-minded students. The health care professionals of the ICCA offer their mentorship,expertise, and guidance to the Student Section.
Our
Projects
Medical Education
Planetary Health Report Card (PHRC) is an international organization created and led by health professions students. PHRC is a metrics-based report that reviews a medical school focus on planetary health in five areas: curriculum, interdisciplinary research, support for student-led initiatives, community outreach, and campus sustainability. After completing the report card, students and school faculty are able to assess areas requiring greater attention or opportunity. In 2023, 4 Illinois medical schools took part in this initiative: Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin, Rush Medical College, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, and Loyola Strich School of Medicine.
Interested in starting a climate and health related project? Reach out to us! Whether in policy, medical education, community outreach, or research, we’d love to support and collaborate with you.
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Educate healthcare students and the general public on the connection between climate change and human health
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Advocate for policies that support addressing climate change
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Recruit aspiring healthcare professionals (medical students, nursing students, PA students, etc) to expand our perspectives, skills, reach, and voice
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Connect with other Illinois climate groups and offer our unique perspective as students within healthcare
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Promote environmental justice to build sustainable communities that encourage the healthy development of youth and families
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Collaborate with underserved communities, particularly those disproportionately affected by climate change, to build upon the existing assets and resources of the community to establish a healthy environment
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Work with healthcare organizations to address the importance of developing sustainable healthcare systems
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Teach healthcare professionals and the general population on how environmental degradation and climate change lead to emerging health threats such as pandemics and natural disasters
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