RHODA QUAN*
MEDICAL GEOGRAPHY: ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21,  2008
HOSPITALITY AT 5PM     PRESENTATION AT 6 P.M.

Hexter Award Lounge
Hunter College School of Social Work
129 East 79th Street, corner of Lexington Avenue  Manhattan
4th floor (turn left when exiting the elevator)


*Rhoda Quan is one of two recipients of Fellowships offered to Hunter students in geography by SWG New York Chapter. (We will hear from Erin Araujo later in the year, as she is now on a research trip in Mexico.)


Access to health care is a multidimensional concept that is hard to define, yet affects us all. It is an issue that scholars and professionals in diverse disciplines such as sociology, economics, political science and geography have devoted substantial efforts to study. Geography has and continues to make a unique contribution towards a better understanding of the spatial dimension of access. Merely being close to health care services is no guarantee of access to those services. Both geographic and non-geographic factors can influence who actually uses health services.

Rhoda will be discussing her thesis topic in the area of medical geography, which involves the use of geospatial techniques to further our understanding of spatial access to health care in the U.S. The location of selected health care facilities (for radiation therapy) will be analyzed in relation to various demographic variables such as population density, income and race. Rhoda will explain why access is such an elusive concept. She will then show how certain GIS methods can be used to identify areas of health care density and disparity and to determine potential patterns of access. The end result will be mapping tools that may then help in addressing the needs of those lacking access to health care.

Rhoda is currently working on her thesis towards the completion of her Masters Degree in Geography at Hunter College. She works full time during the day as a Senior Business Analyst at ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) where she is involved in the survey and distribution of music royalties to writer and publisher members. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from Barnard College. When not working or studying, Rhoda has been a member of the JPMorgan Chase Dragon Boat racing team for the past six years. She also enjoys researching places to travel and eat and documenting her experiences with photos and words to share with others.

Please join us for refreshments and chat time at 5PM. Meet Rhoda, and hear about the outstanding work our fellowships support at Hunter.

Bring along a contribution for refreshments!