Gugma Vidal is a dedicated public policy major at UNC Chapel Hill specializing in health policy. Gugma currently works as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion intern at Genuine Parts Company. Additionally, she’s working on a fascinating project comparing social health insurance systems in Sweden, Singapore, and the United States. 

What led you to choose UNC Chapel Hill for your studies, and what drew you to specialize in health policy?

Initially, I chose UNC Chapel Hill because I thought I wanted to go into medicine or pharmacy, and UNC had strong programs and resources for both. It’s also a gorgeous campus not too far from my hometown, Wake Forest. I eventually realized that I wasn’t as interested in being a practitioner on the clinical side of health issues. Rather, I found myself drawn to investigating the systematic factors that underlie public health issues and health disparities. My interests in health policy strengthened further when I worked at a research institute in Singapore researching health policy transformation in Southeast Asia. This was an intense but immersive experience where I learned the real-world processes in policy-making, which solidified my specialization in health policy.

What are some of the key health policy issues that you are particularly passionate about?

I am especially interested in the issues of social health insurance and health financing. Social health insurance consists of safety nets that help the less fortunate access various types of health care. Some countries have strong coverage, and others have very poor coverage. While several countries have committed to Universal Health Coverage, a guarantee that every person can receive basic health services, the United States does not yet have this system in place. This is a major problem in our system and it is the crux of many other issues in our country, which is why I feel so passionately about overhauling the healthcare system. 

Health financing is related to social health insurance coverage, because it dictates how health services are procured and allocated. There’s a lot to it, but Provider Payment Models (PPMs) structure how payers, such as the government and private insurers, obtain health services and goods from providers, the hospitals and clinics. There are some interesting innovations happening in the health financing realm, and I am excited to see how it transforms the health care landscape of the United States.

Can you share more about your role and responsibilities as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion intern at Genuine Parts Company?

As a DE&I intern at GPC, I act as a liaison between the DE&I Director and the Business Resource Groups, which are identity-based community groups that promote inclusivity and the wellbeing of all employees. I also liaise between the Business Resource Groups and the rest of the company, communicating about events and educational topics. I have a really unique role in the company because I touch almost every space and interact with people in every department.

What have been some of the most rewarding projects you’ve worked on during your internship?

Right now, I am developing policy and governance structures for the Business Resource Groups by facilitating critical conversations with the BRG leadership. I’m sort of in a consultant role in the way I am analyzing inefficiencies and gaps in the processes and trying to find solutions. The cool thing about working in DE&I at this company is how young the program is. I have a lot of freedom to grow and develop the BRGs because they are all in their first few years since conception. I have also been able to conduct research on the supplier diversity of the company and capture the impact of GPC’s purchasing on the outside community, particularly minority and women-owned businesses. As someone who cares deeply about building up communities which have been historically marginalized, this is a rewarding project for me. Everything I do in my role is about justice and equity– yes, at the end of the day, profitability for GPC is the goal, but as the tide rises, all boats should rise too.

Can you tell us about your project on social health insurance systems in Sweden, Singapore, and the United States?

It’s still in a very fledgling state, but I’m working on an in-depth comparative review of the policymaking for social health insurance coverage in Sweden, Singapore, and the U.S. The exact focus of the work is evolving as I continue my preliminary research, but I’m hoping to get some insight from health experts on the direction of healthcare coverage in these countries and see if there are opportunities for cross-regional learning. 

What are some of the key differences you’ve identified between the social health insurance systems in these countries?

Every country has a different social health insurance system based on their relative size, political environment, social values, etc. but I chose these countries because they are quite different in their governments and approaches to national health care. Sweden has Universal Health Coverage and a decentralized health system that distributes responsibilities from the national level to the municipalities. Singapore has a fragmented Universal Health Coverage framework in place for its citizens. The United States has a multi-payer system that does not ensure Universal Health Coverage. All three countries are facing both similar and different challenges in health policy making and I am curious to see where the major roadblocks are for each.

As you look towards the future, what are your career aspirations in public policy and health policy?

I can’t say I have a definite career I am aiming for right now, because there is a lot I can do in the public policy and health policy sphere. I would love to become an expert in health policy and spearhead global health policy projects for an NGO or research institute. Mostly, I want my career to be dedicated to improving the welfare of others, and I want to lead and manage projects towards these things that matter to me: health, housing, and food security.

What advice would you give to students and young professionals who are interested in pursuing a career in public policy, especially in health policy?

My advice is to put yourself out there. If you are interested or passionate about a subject, let people know. I’ve been able to spark many conversations and open up opportunities for myself just by making my passions known. If I hadn’t reached out to research labs in Singapore before going abroad, I would never have had the chance to learn so deeply about health financing and policy. My path has continued to branch out in directions I never planned for, just by networking and maintaining an open mind.