Staff Spotlight is a series created by the GH Communications Team that features personal interviews with GH staff. By sharing the stories of various staff members’ backgrounds and experiences, we hope this series will help bring USAID’s global community closer together. This week we’d like to introduce Diana Frymus, Health Systems Strengthening Advisor for HIV/AIDS at USAID Washington.
Q. How did you get involved in development work?
A. I spent a semester abroad at the University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa, in 2003. It was right after the U.S. President’s Emergency for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) was first proposed by President George W. Bush and at a time where there was immense HIV and AIDS advocacy in South Africa, including that of the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC). In addition, South Africa was nearing its decade anniversary of the end of apartheid. It was a life-changing experience to be able to study in the environment of South Africa at that time.
My time spent in South Africa reconfirmed my initial interest in the Peace Corps. I served as a health volunteer from 2005 to 2007 in Uganda and was posted at a private health center working on HIV and AIDS activities. The majority of my work focused on increasing engagement of the health center staff with the community on HIV and AIDS prevention, home-based care, and peer educator programs with the local schools. Through my work with the health center staff, I became more aware of some of the challenges that they faced that were inhibiting their performance and motivation and implemented some activities to help boost staff morale and teamwork.
At that time I had little knowledge of how significant health workforce shortages and weak health systems impact delivery of services and achievement of health goals across the globe. But, it became an area of interest that stuck with me through graduate school and remains with me today. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has had such an integral role in supporting health worker development and its growing focus in the global health agenda. It’s so exciting to be a part of the work at the Agency.
Q. If you weren't working in development or public health, what would you be doing? Why?
A. Domestically, there are so many innovative healthcare delivery models being piloted with greater emphasis on coordinated care along with an emerging focus on personalized medicine and the patient experience. While having more of a global focus, it’s often hard to stay up to date with what is going on in your own neck of the woods! We talk a lot about the need for greater shared learning within global health. This includes learning from what we are doing domestically, too, and how it can be applied elsewhere and vice versa! Overall, it’s really exciting to see some of these shifts in healthcare and what the future holds.
And if I ever steered away from the health field, you would probably find me focusing on my passion for interior decorating. I love mixing new and old pieces together and testing out different combinations of prints and colors. And, a great perk of working in global health is being able to pick up ideas and inspiration from across the globe that you can work to integrate into your living environment at home!
Q. What might someone be surprised to learn about you?
A. I am a second generation Polish-American. My grandparents immigrated to the states after World War II after meeting while serving in the Polish Corps of the English Army. I have grown up celebrating Polish customs and holiday traditions, and it’s something that I deeply cherish and value. I was fortunate enough to travel with my grandfather to visit Poland during the 60th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising where he was honored for his service in the Polish Resistance Home Army and to see firsthand places that I had heard him talk about through my childhood.
Q. What's the hardest thing you've ever done?
A. During my time in Peace Corps, my dad passed away very suddenly and unexpectedly. I made the decision of completing my remaining service, and although I had my Peace Corps and community support system in Uganda, being so far away from home and my family at that time was to this day the hardest thing I have ever done. My dad was the most dedicated physician that I have ever known. His tireless commitment and devotion to serving others is the driving inspiration for my work.
Q. If you could witness any event – past, present or future – what would it be and why?
A. This is such a hard question for me. It’s so easy to wish that you can go back to the past or want to rush to the future. I try to stay focused on the present and to slow down and enjoy it!
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