Muna Bhandari

Born in Bhutanese refugee camp in Nepal and raised in several parts of Nepal, Muna Bhandari has always felt attached to and compelled by the problems of the world. The stories of disparities and inequalities have urged Muna to pursue her career in Public Health. Muna Bhandari has learned about many extreme conditions and limited healthcare affecting the world today. These issues have inspired Muna to be at the forefront of combating problems with the best of her capabilities. Muna knew very little about world charities, medical, and public health systems until moving to the United States of America. Her interest in Public Health developed from concern and sympathy for people in need of medical care, specifically those with the least access.

As soon as Muna moved to the United States in 2012, she started volunteering at the World Relief Agency in Chicago. Muna then volunteered at the Bhutanese community of Chicago, where she was the emcee for different cultural programs. Muna was also a part of the Youth Empowering group in Chicago. Muna graduated from Sullivan High School with a prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarship, which is a full-ride college scholarship. With a strong interest in higher education, Muna continued her studies at Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) as a biology major. At NEIU, Muna became a Freshman Navigator and First-year Student (FYE) Peer Mentor. Muna was also able to receive Excellence Student Award and FYE Peer Mentor of the Year Award.

After living four years in Chicago, Muna and her family moved to Cincinnati to get closer to their extended families. Muna transferred to the University of Cincinnati to continue her Undergrad studies and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences. Muna Cofounded and was a president of Bhutanese American Student Organization (BASO) at UC. Muna has connected more towards the Bhutanese Community as she volunteers at the Bhutanese Community of Cincinnati, Bhutanese Response Assistance Volunteer Effort (BRAVE) Project and Care Cincinnati Project with UC.

Muna is currently pursuing her master’s degree in public health with interest in assessing the impacts of health programs and policies on individuals and populations and identifying factors associated with disparities in health service utilization among the underserved population. Muna currently works at Health Care Access Now (HCAN) where she learned various social determinants of health as well as disparities of health among an underserved population in Cincinnati, OH.