The 2026 Vanderbilt Global Health Symposium was held in April, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health. To mark the occasion, founding director Sten Vermund, MD, MPH, delivered a keynote address titled “Two Decades of Impact: Advancing Global Health Together.” The keynote highlighted the Institute’s collective achievements and called on attendees to continue advancing global health through collaboration and action.
The symposium was co-chaired by An Yee Tan ’26, an MPH Global Health student, and Zainab Motolani Shonibare ’27, a medical student. Nearly 30 posters were presented by students from across Vanderbilt’s programs, showcasing the interdisciplinary nature of global health and the strong engagement of both students and faculty mentors.
Organized annually by the Global Health Alliance, the symposium features poster presentations from undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and invited guests. The event highlights a diverse range of global health initiatives, including research, internships, clinical rotations, and service experiences.