Taka Nah Jelah, from Cameroon, is completing a doctorate in medicine at Stony Brook University. Her study focuses on the role of inclusive language and diverse medical illustrations of obstetrics and gynecologic patient care, addressing the reproductive health challenges faced by black-and-brown skinned women and children in low-income settings.
With the Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon, Nah Jelah was forced out of high school and spent three years volunteering at the regional hospital, working with non-profits, helping people, and learning of healthcare struggles in her country, where people were dying from conditions that should have been treatable.
Nah Jelah’s focus on OB-GYN, women’s health, and education ties directly to her goal of improving healthcare access for women in underserved regions, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. She is passionate about establishing women’s clinics in Cameroon that provide comprehensive, safe, and compassionate care while addressing preventable health disparities. Beyond clinical care, she wants to lead community education initiatives to empower women and girls with knowledge about their health. By combining patient care with advocacy and mentorship, she hopes to bridge gaps in care, create sustainable healthcare solutions, and inspire the next generation of healthcare providers.
Nah Jelah creates medical illustrations highlighting black and brown skin tones, focusing on human anatomy and maternal health disparities. Using social media and her website, she advocates for health equity by providing free access to her art, aiming to address gaps in medical education. Her work promotes inclusivity and empowers underrepresented communities, particularly in maternal care.
