Faculty Meets with Congressman Himes to Discuss Pandemic Aid

Assistance from organization RESULTS enables SHU students and faculty to help the less fortunate during health crisis.

Sacred Heart University faculty recently met with U.S. Rep. Jim Himes for an online talk about coronavirus-related legislation along with volunteers from RESULTS, a non-profit organization.

Molly Higbie, SHU’s assistant director of global health programs, along with Christina Gunther and Kerry Morgan, professors at the College of Health Professions, have been working with RESULTS for the past few years. The organization is a grassroots movement dedicated to ending poverty globally. The group’s members use their voices to influence political decisions that benefit people living in poverty.

In the past, RESULTS volunteers have visited SHU to talk with students about advocating for the less fortunate. Students learn how to get in touch with local leaders and politicians to create effective change.

The pandemic raised new issues and concerns for people living in poverty, creating a need for new legislation and support. In late June, Gunther, Morgan and volunteers from RESULTS met with Himes to discuss these issues. They expressed their concerns and shared their support for legislation, such as the Heroes Act, which the U.S. House of Representatives has passed. The Heroes Act is a bill that “responds to the COVID-19 outbreak and its impact on the economy, public health, state and local governments, individuals and businesses,” according to the website congress.gov. Gunther said the group also asked Himes to include money for global health in the next coronavirus-related bill. Children around the world still need preventive health care such as vaccines so other diseases don’t become an issue, Gunther pointed out.

“He signed on to that global ask,” she said, adding that Himes is a major help and a supporter who listens to his constituents.

Work with RESULTS and politicians is important exposure for SHU students, who learn how to state a problem and ask for the appropriate measures. “In health care, students have to be advocates for their patients and for policy,” Gunther said.

Gunther, faculty and students will continue to partner with RESULTS to ensure the passage of legislation that will help abolish poverty.