# @yalesph on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CsbjWPHr94s
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/12511013-yalesph-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/cf70866891.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-05-19T15:55:11.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Yale School of Public Health (@yalesph) — https://gondola.cc/yalesph

## Caption

As we continue to celebrate our graduating students, today we’re highlighting Noushyar Panahpour Eslami, MPH ’23, and Winnie Ho, MPH ’23, who both spent their second-year health policy practicum in Sen. Saud Anwar’s office in the Connecticut General Assembly.  
 
Ho and Panahpour Eslami spent six weeks organizing a campaign in support of a bill proposing the creation of three pilot harm reduction centers in the state to help people struggling with substance use. As part of their campaign to drum up support for the harm reduction bill in advance of a critical legislative hearing, they secured more than 40 speakers, 65 written testimonies, and delivered a petition signed by 43 organizations and 326 individuals in support of the proposed centers.
 
“The most impactful part of this work is absolutely the people that we’ve met,” said Ho. “Being able to stand with our allies at the hearing, exchange hugs, support, and stories is something that means immeasurably more than I can describe.”
 
Panahpour Eslami said he was moved by how deeply personal the political and health policy process can be. 
 
“I did not expect to see so much humanity in politics....and I did not think so many people would want to talk to me,” he said. “It made the long nights worth it for sure.” 
 
After commencement, Ho plans to continue to work in substance use and harm reduction, and hopes to keep impacting policy and program change that helps uproot the war on drugs. This August, Panahpour Eslami will begin medical school at wsumedicine. But before that, he will be the class speaker at the 2023 YSPH Diploma Ceremony, which you can watch live on Monday through our link in bio! 

#Yale2023 #YSPH2023 #myYSPH

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yale2023, myysph, ysph2023

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