Carly Polcyn, MD
My journey began in a small town in southeast Ohio called Jackson I went to the Ohio State University for my undergraduate education, followed by medical school at the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, and most recently finished my residency at Boston Medical Center.
My involvement in health equity did not really began until I was in medical school (growing up in Appalachia, I had a lot to learn!). It began as involvement with the American Medical Association Women in Medicine chapter, where I used policy-writing as an avenue for advocacy. As I continued to learn and grow, I also traversed medical school/residency through the pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the mass-deportation efforts from ICE. I knew I wanted to do more beyond the walls of the hospital, and to spend my career as a researcher, advocate, and voice for those that need it. This drive ultimately brought me to do fellowship here, so I can continue to learn different tools, avenues, and build a strong network of like-minded advocates. I can't wait to see what the next two years brings!
Hannah Meissner, MD
Hannah Meissner attended the University of Notre Dame for her undergraduate degree, where she majored in Biology and minored in Poverty Studies with a concentration in Health Policy. She then attended Creighton University School of Medicine for her medical degree. As a medical student, she was highly involved in the American Medical Association chapter at Creighton, serving as both a delegate and eventually President, where she wrote multiple successful policies. After medical school, she completed her Emergency Medicine Residency at Rush University, where she served as chief resident and received the “Resident of the Year” award.
Meissner is currently the inaugural fellow of Rush University’s Health Equity Fellowship, where she participates in multiple initiatives to advance health equity and care in the emergency department. Her research interests specifically focus on increasing access to care and other public benefits for patients in the Rush ER. Additionally, she is pursuing a Master of Public Health through the University of Illinois as part of the fellowship. In her free time, Meissner enjoys reading, hiking, and exploring Chicago.