Championing a vision for health equity

At Harvard Medical School’s Department of Global Health and Social Medicine (DGHSM), advancing health equity isn’t just a guiding principle—it’s a call to action that shapes everything the department does. From improving early childhood development to tackling urgent gaps in mental health care, the DGHSM works alongside communities to turn research into real, lasting impact for those often left behind.

This bold approach recently inspired Robert Kaplan, MBA ’83, a member of the HMS Global Health and Service Advisory Council, to make a $1 million gift—flexible funding for the department’s chair, designed to accelerate the DGHSM’s most urgent priorities. “Global health at HMS is uniquely positioned to help the most at-risk groups, who are facing diseases that are often preventable,” Kaplan says. “That mission is inspiring, and there’s a real opportunity to advance Harvard’s impact everywhere.”

Kaplan’s deep respect for the late Paul Farmer, MD ’88, PhD ’90, an iconic global physician and medical humanitarian, galvanized his first major commitment to the department more than a decade ago. Farmer was known for blending scholarly rigor with a passion for health equity, and these values remain central to the DGHSM’s mission. 

Today, the department is led by Vikram Patel, MBBS, MSc, PhD, the Paul Farmer Professor and Chair of Global Health and Social Medicine at HMS. Patel’s pioneering research on mental health and social disadvantage builds on Farmer’s legacy while furthering the DGHSM’s tradition of visionary thinking, real-world innovation, and a fierce focus on the most vulnerable.

For Patel, the need for flexible resources has never been greater. “Rob’s support enables us to respond in real time to shifting challenges—for example, when essential research projects are abruptly stalled by unexpected funding shifts—so our mission can continue, no matter the obstacle,” he says. 

Education, partnership, and research are equally vital in the DGHSM. Students and fellows acquire practical skills through immersive experiences, collaborating with partners in places such as Rwanda, Liberia, and communities across the United States. Along the way, they are exposed to the accompaniment model of patient-centered care, in which treatment is provided alongside social supports. The DGHSM has helped advance this approach, which serves as a blueprint for organizations and ministries of health worldwide.

Discover how HMS is advancing the future of global health

Kaplan says he was surprised to learn how much of the department’s impact takes place in the United States. “They are leading critical initiatives right here, helping populations that desperately need care,” he says. “It’s vital that donors and the broader public understand just how much these efforts matter—both locally and on a global scale.”

For Kaplan, the ultimate goal is visibility and momentum. “Harvard has a pivotal role in the world,” he says, “and I want more people to know about the extraordinary work this department is doing—and to join in advancing its work.”