Read about other new books from faculty members from the Schools of Dentistry, Law, Medicine, and Nursing in the latest issue of “CATALYST” magazine.
Photo: Jody K. Olsen signs copies of her book at an UMBrella Speaker Series event in the fall.
‘A Million Miles’
Jody K. Olsen, PhD, MSW ’72, University of Maryland School of Social Work alumna, former University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Center for Global Engagement director, and current UMB Center for Global Engagement senior fellow. “A Million Miles: My Peace Corps Journey” (University of Utah Press, 2024).
When Olsen enlisted as a Peace Corps volunteer in Tunisia in 1966, she was fleeing family tragedy and the stifling societal norms of her upbringing in Salt Lake City. However, her service in Tunisia upended her religious and cultural beliefs and propelled her into a six-decade career with the Peace Corps, culminating in her directorship of the agency. Olsen’s memoir reveals the personal and professional challenges she faced throughout her career, which spanned the Reagan era, the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and the Trump administration. She writes candidly about her struggles as a woman in leadership, as well as personal hardships such as the sudden death of her brother and her emotionally difficult divorce after her husband’s coming out. This memoir is a sharp and vulnerable portrait, a testament to the transformative power of leadership and self-discovery.
‘Saving Stella’
“Saving Stella” is the autobiography of a nurse-turned-state senator determined to make health care equitable and available for all. From her childhood in Jamaica to her early days in nursing and, eventually, to her entry into politics, Nathan-Pulliam has exemplified what it means to translate principles and values into action through legislation and advocacy. This book takes readers on her personal and political journey by highlighting the injustices faced by Stella, a woman diagnosed with breast cancer. The experience of helping Stella, a woman whose position in society denied her timely diagnosis and treatment for her breast cancer, inspired much of Nathan-Pulliam’s professional path. Her gripping accounts of political battles, strategic alliances, and landmark bills provide insight into the art of governance and politics and the power of courage, perseverance, and remarkable compassion in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. Nathan-Pulliam’s passion to ensure a future where people like Stella can get the care they need drives her tireless efforts to address health disparities and fight for meaningful change. “Saving Stella” is a poignant and thought-provoking autobiography that sheds light on the complex realities of health care and the profound impact of policy decisions. It is a testament to one woman’s determination to make a difference and create a more equitable and compassionate health care system.
Read summaries of faculty books here.
You can read the Fall 2024 issue of CATALYST magazine, which highlights the School of Dentistry's efforts to provide dentures to seniors through a grant program; School of Pharmacy recent graduate Alena Abraham's podcast dedicated to supporting the blind and visually impaired community; Mary Maldarelli, a fellow in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and 2019 School of Medicine graduate using her musical talents to create a therapeutic healing environment; Taofeek K. Owonikoko, MD, PhD, the new executive director of the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center; and much, much more!