Conrad Koczorowski named 2014 Global Changemaker

The Ontario Council for International Cooperation named Conrad Koczorowski (HBA'08) their 2014 Global Changemaker.

Koczorowski has a long history of community engagement, from rebuilding computers for families who couldn't afford one, to volunteering hundreds of hours in the pediatric department at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

As a PhD student, Conrad realized he wanted to apply his experience and research skills in a way that might make a concrete impact.  His search led him to a research position based in Uganda with the African Medical & Research Foundation (AMREF), an organization that works to address critical health challenges by raising funds, providing project support, building capacity, raising awareness and engaging the Canadian public in African health development.

While in Uganda, Conrad also learned firsthand about the door-to-door efforts of community health workers in rural communities, and witnessed the benefits of having someone in the community as a resource.  Looking back on his own experience growing up in a small community outside of Thunder Bay, he saw parallels to tele-health initiatives in Ontario, but with a greater focus on building personal relationships. 

Conrad is thrilled to have found a way to meaningfully apply his academic skills, and hopes to continue working on health initiatives in East Africa, with a long-term goal of bringing his skills back to Canada.