When the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomed Pope Francis to its headquarters in Rome on June 13, Weill Cornell Medicine anesthesiologist Dr. Gunisha Kaur was honored to attend the event.
Dr. Kaur, who is director of the Department of Anesthesiology's Global Health Initiative, was invited by WFP's Executive Board to participate in a dialogue on ending world hunger. She presented her views on the sustained physical and psychological impact of childhood malnutrition, and on the novel, multi-faceted approach that the World Food Programme leadership must take in order to achieve Zero Hunger by the year 2030.
During his visit, Pope Francis addressed WFP's Executive Board and staff.
"Pope Francis conveyed the need to make the lack of food security unnatural, in a time when those in the developed world have grown accustomed and immune to starvation throughout the world," said Kaur.
It is the second time Dr. Kaur has met Pope Francis. She previously joined him on stage for an interfaith service at the 9/11 memorial during the Pope's September 2015 visit to New York.
"It was very exciting to meet Pope Francis again," she said. "Having such a powerful figure stand in solidarity with us on this important issue brings due attention to the lack of food security in the developing world. Through our Global Health Initiative, we teach about how biosocial factors, such as poverty and access to natural resources, impact health. It was meaningful to share ideas on a multi-dimensional solution to global food insecurity with the World Food Programme leadership."
Dr. Kaur is an anesthesiologist specializing in international health. In addition to leading the department's Global Health Initiative, she serves as program director for the Anesthesia Global Health Fellowship.
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