Staff Spotlight | Noureen Bhuiya
Noureen Bhuiya serves in program assistance with the CRIS Health & Wellness Program.
In her first week as a member of the CRIS Health & Wellness team, Noureen Bhuiya accompanied program manager Cat Gossman on a home visit. Afghan refugees who spent time in a refugee camp in Turkey before being resettled to Columbus, the father of the family of six was in desperate need of a liver transplant due to chronic liver failure. Almost instantly, she felt a connection to this family.
As the daughter of Bangladeshi parents who immigrated to the U.S., Noureen Bhuiya noticed something that felt unsettling to her even as a young girl. She was occasionally present for doctor’s appointments with her grandfather and mother, and each time–no matter the type of appointment–she observed a similar phenomenon. Rather than directly addressing her (non-English speaking) grandfather–the patient–the medical providers would speak to her mother instead, oftentimes as if Noureen’s grandfather were not even in the room. She could tell this repeated experience left her grandfather, who was eager to ensure he took good care of his health, feeling disappointed and dejected. This childhood experience sparked a passion in Noureen, the results of which have led her on an incredible journey.
By the time Noureen completed high school, she knew she wanted to become a physician herself–to help people. She completed an undergraduate degree at The Ohio State University and earned admission to OSU’s College of Medicine. In the fall of 2022, she began working with CRIS’ Health and Wellness Program to gain a better understanding of this unique population she hopes to serve in the future. Since starting at CRIS, Noureen has served in a wide range of roles and responsibilities and has become a vital part of our Health & Wellness team. Alongside working at CRIS, Noureen is currently studying for her medical board exams.
Her current role largely consists of ensuring that every R&P and PC client has transportation to and interpretation for every one of their medical appointments (approximately 50 per week!), but also includes making appointments, case management, logistics, records and reports, oversight and coordination of interns, and client interaction. One of her newest responsibilities is receiving mental health referrals and scheduling brief therapy sessions with CRIS clinician Kyri Shaffer. She explains, “My favorite part about working at CRIS is interacting directly with those we serve. At this point, I am familiar with basically every Health & Wellness client, and it is rewarding to see and be a part of their unique medical needs being met.”
Noureen explains that this year of working at CRIS has been transformational for her. She shares, “When I began my journey into medical school, I knew I wanted to help people. I now see that CRIS was the missing puzzle piece for exactly how and who I want to help. Just like my grandfather so many years ago, refugees and immigrants still often do not receive the healthcare they deserve or need. CRIS Health & Wellness program does a great job of bridging that gap. In my journey and work, I, too, want to address that gap by providing culturally competent care to others. I want patients to know that they are seen, cared for, and understood.”
Noureen plans to take her board exams this spring and continue along her medical school path, but she does not want to leave CRIS behind. She intends to stay involved by maintaining a part-time supportive role on staff. She also was recently chosen as one of 11 OSU Columbus-Athens Schweitzer Fellows, an opportunity through which she can receive academic acknowledgment and a stipend to continue to support her work with CRIS.
OSU recently published an article highlighting Noureen—make sure to check it out!