From prevention to treatment, there are many entry points to intervene ranging from preventive HPV vaccination, promotion of screening and follow-up, and social mobilization.

This presentation will focus on why cervical cancer elimination is an achievable goal, and lessons learned from small actions that are leading to major impact.

Our speaker, Dr Isabel C. Scarinci, is a professor and Vice-Chair for Global and Rural Health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Birmingham, Alabama.

Professionally, she has dedicated her career to the development, implementation, and evaluation of evidence-based programs in cervical cancer prevention and control among underserved populations.

As a Rotarian, she has partnered with the Rotary Club of Colombo (Sri Lanka), and more recently with the Rotary Club of Guatemala-Sur, toward the elimination of cervical cancer in these countries. In 2023 Alabama became the first and only state in the U.S. to launch a statewide plan to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem through a partnership between the Rotary Club of Birmingham and other organizations.

In 2021, Dr Scarinci was chosen as one of the six champions of health worldwide by Rotary International for her work in cervical cancer.

To learn more, go to:

https://operationwipeout.org/

Dementia is a neurodegenerative disease impacting tens of millions globally, and the number is expected to triple by 2050. Common symptoms of dementia include poor recollection, confusion and paranoia. Although there are medications to alleviate some of these symptoms, remembering to adhere to the medication is often a challenge for seniors with dementia.

Seeing this, our speaker, Joy Akinkunmi, created the Pill Smart. The Pill Smart is an automatic pill dispenser for seniors with mild and moderate dementia.

Designed with adaptive features, such as reminder settings, the device aims to increase medication adherence among this demographic.

The Pill Smart is completed with an app for a caregiver to track device activity. Hopefully, the Pill Smart will be the future of assistive devices for medication adherence in people with dementia.

Joy is a high school student when this was recorded.

She is an aspiring doctor and innovative thinker dedicated to enhancing healthcare through technology. Inspired by her experience caring for her grandmother with dementia, she developed "The Pill Smart," an automatic pill dispenser complemented by an app tailored for seniors.

In addition to her project work, Joy is deeply committed to her community. Her passion for healthcare extends to leading "Healthcare Horizons," a club at her school that offers workshops and insights into the healthcare system, empowering her peers with knowledge and skills. Joy also plays an active role in student governance on the Student Advisory Council and serves on the RCMP National Advisory Youth Council. Outside of STEM, Joy enjoys playing basketball at her school and volunteering at her local library.

In the future, Joy plans to pursue a post-secondary education focused on medicine and biomedical engineering. She aims to continue developing healthcare devices that improve the quality of life for patients, particularly those with cognitive impairments. Joy’s commitment to innovation and community leadership reflects her dedication to making a meaningful impact in the field of healthcare.

To learn more about the Pill Smart 2.0, go to:

https://partner.projectboard.world/ysc/project/pill-smart-2-0

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/inspired-by-family-member-with-dementia-n-s-teen-creates-automated-pill-dispenser-1.7410835

To learn more about Imhotep’s Legacy Academy (the mentorship group from Dalhousie University that Joy mentioned), go to:

https://www.imhotep.ca/en/

To learn more about the Rotary eClub of Silicon Valley, go to:

http://rotary.cool

Aishwarya Rai, has been actively involved in supporting women's entrepreneurship projects, focusing on the implementation of a project backed by the German Embassy in Delhi and the NCR region.

She holds a Master's degree in Social Work with a specialization in Criminology and Justice from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, and a Bachelor's in Social Work from the University of Delhi.

As a social work trainee, Aishwarya contributed to the implementation of various initiatives in education, urban policy management, health support, youth skilling, and gender-related issues. Her primary areas of interest include addressing gender inequalities and tackling climate change, with a strong commitment to promoting social justice and empowering women.

Sankalp, named after the Hindi word for ""resolution,"" is dedicated to empowering marginalized women in small businesses. Through over 100 hours of entrepreneurship skills training, mentorship from industry experts, access to credit support, and connections with a robust alumni network, our program provides women with the tools and opportunities they need to thrive. We also assist in establishing market linkages, helping them scale their businesses and overcome the unique challenges they face. Our mission is to close the gender gaps in business and create a sustainable, inclusive environment for women entrepreneurs.

Breaking Barriers for Women's Economic Empowerment

Women worldwide face significant barriers—gender disparities, lower labor market participation, and higher unemployment rates—that hinder their economic growth. In India, women-owned businesses represent only 14% of enterprises, with many operating in the informal sector. Sankalp addresses these challenges by offering essential training, financial support, and access to key networks, promoting not just economic empowerment but also social upliftment.

By supporting women entrepreneurs, we help foster gender equality and contribute to broader economic growth.

"We believe that when women thrive, economies grow." – UN Women

Stories about the women Rai's group has empowered -

"Karishma's Triumph: Breaking Stereotypes and Redefining Boundaries"

https://youtu.be/urz02Z_6IZQ?si=rK0HobVpL7D3Fo5E

"Vasheela's Journey: Transcending Social Constructs and Redefining Identity"

https://youtu.be/cawU7syYpFc?si=YOyZgKL36wRMLOnx

To learn more, go to:

send an email to:

info@empowerfoundation.net

To learn more about the Rotary eClub of Silicon Valley, go to:

http://rotary.cool