The UF Health Cancer Center’s Cancer Policy Internship provides UF students with unique exposure to the inner workings of the U.S. government. Interns focus on legislative support related to cancer health policy and cancer prevention and telehealth initiatives in rural communities. These internships are an integral part of the team charged with proactively supporting the University of Florida’s agenda on a national level and ensuring UF is a leading voice on important issues.
Sadeem Qdaisat and Aantaki Raisa recently finished the fall 2022 semester as UF Health Cancer Center cancer policy interns. We caught up with them to ask for some insight on their experience on Capitol Hill.
Sadeem Qdaisat
Sadeem Qdaisat is a doctoral candidate pursuing his Ph.D. in genetics and genomics in the Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery – UF Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program with a focus on clinical and translational science. He interned with Rep. Neal Dunn.
Can you describe your tasks and your work throughout the internship?
During my cancer policy internship, I advised on cancer, health care and telehealth policy topics/bills, where my primary responsibility was to assist in research and analysis related to the intricacies of cancer policy and advocacy. In addition, I had the opportunity to meet with various leaders of health care organizations, both in the private and public sector, as well as government officials and patients to gain a better understanding of the issues facing the cancer care landscape. As part of my duties, I also helped constituents with their health care requests and attended doctors’ caucuses and house meetings to stay informed of the latest developments in the field. Furthermore, I was involved in drafting bills related to cancer care, which gave me valuable experience in the legislative process. Overall, my work was varied and challenging, and I gained a deeper understanding of the intricacies of cancer policy and advocacy on the Hill.
What was the most helpful or interesting aspect of the internship?
One of the most helpful and interesting aspects of the internship was the opportunity to work with a talented and supportive team of professionals on the Hill. They welcomed me with open arms, and we had many engaging discussions about a wide range of health care topics. I also appreciated the chance to contribute my knowledge and previous experiences to the team’s efforts. Additionally, it was fascinating to witness the legislative process firsthand and see how health care bills are processed from start to finish. My mentors in the College of Medicine and coordinators at the UF Health Cancer Center were also incredibly helpful and supportive throughout the entire journey. Overall, the combination of supportive colleagues, engaging discussions, and hands-on learning made this internship a truly enriching experience.
What did you achieve through this position?
I achieves several significant goals. First, I drafted several bills aimed at securing additional funding for cancer research and improving access to health care for veterans. This experience gave me a firsthand look at the legislative process and allowed me to contribute to efforts to improve cancer care on a policy level. Second, I made valuable connections with executive leaders and pioneers in the health care field, both within and outside of government, which will undoubtedly prove useful as I continue to pursue a career in health care policy. Overall, this internship allowed me to make a meaningful contribution to the field of cancer policy while gaining valuable knowledge and connections that will serve me well in the future.
Did your perspective change on cancer policy since completing the internship?
Based on my previous experience establishing international guidelines, I understood the challenges involved in developing and implementing effective policies. However, this internship provided me with a new perspective on the complexity of health care policy and the diversity of stakeholders involved in the policymaking process. I found that the challenges involved in developing effective cancer policies were on a similar level of complexity as those I encountered in my previous work internationally. Through my efforts to draft bills aimed at securing health care and research funding and improving access to health care for veterans, I learned the importance of crafting policies that benefit all stakeholders, including patients, and the need for collaboration and compromise when addressing complex policy issues. Overall, this opportunity gave me a deeper appreciation for the intricacies of cancer policy and the importance of working with a broad range of stakeholders to achieve meaningful progress.
What did you learn that is most applicable to your career goals?
During my cancer policy internship, I gained valuable skills and knowledge that are highly applicable to my career goals. Specifically, I learned how to identify opportunities to improve patient health care both in person and virtually by continuing to draft bills and suggest ideas. I gained a deeper understanding of the complexities of the health care system and the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to achieve meaningful progress. I also developed skills in communication, advocacy and policy analysis that will be critical to advancing my career goals in health care policy. Overall, my cancer policy internship provided me with a strong foundation for pursuing my career goals and making a positive impact on patients’ lives.
“Overall, my cancer policy internship provided me with a strong foundation for pursuing my career goals and making a positive impact on patients’ lives.”
Sadeem Qdaisat
How did this experience influence or aid your future career plans?
This was a valuable experience that will influence my future career plans. Through my work meeting with health care leaders and patients and drafting bills, my interest in health care policy and advocacy grew significantly. I now see myself pursuing this type of work alongside my clinical and translational work and as part of my overall career goals. The internship has helped me clarify the skills and knowledge I need to acquire to make a meaningful impact in the field of health care policy. Overall, I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with such talented and passionate individuals and look forward to continuing to explore opportunities in this field.
Aantaki Raisa
Aantaki Raisa is pursuing her doctoral degree at the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications, specializing in health communication. She is a double master’s in media arts and studies and health communication. Her research interest focuses on developing, implementing and evaluating tailored eHealth technological interventions to reduce cancer disparities among immigrant populations in the United States by increasing intentions to screen for cancer regularly. She interned with Rep. Darren Soto.
Can you describe your tasks and your work throughout the internship?
My tasks were to manage Rep. Darren Soto’s health portfolio along with other issues (e.g., gun violence, domestic violence, arts and culture, veteran affairs). I was involved in taking meetings, attending staff hearings and markups, reviewing bill proposals and recommending to support/not support to the congressman.
What was the most helpful or interesting aspect of the internship?
Understanding how health policies are made and how the U.S. government really works. Networking with the D.C. office people at the congressman’s office was also very valuable.
What did you achieve through this position?
Confidence, knowledge and connections.
Did your perspective change on cancer policy since completing the Internship?
Yes, a lot. I realized how much of cancer care really depends on people having the financial aid to receive it. I realized the importance of health insurance and how it works as a barrier in cancer care. My research focuses primarily on message design, and I always focused on policies to make communication in the health care system equitable so that minority patients do not get discriminated against, misunderstood or stereotyped. But I think a majority of the minority populations cannot get health care due to the lack of insurance.
What did you learn that is most applicable to your career goals?
I learned the legislative language. I want to make sure my research gets implemented in the policy level, and when the time comes, I will be able to reach out and talk to the right people in Congress. Or, at least, I will know how to find them.
“When the time comes, I will be able to reach out and talk to the right people in Congress.”
Aantaki Raisa
How did this experience influence or aid your future career plans?
I really loved living in D.C. I hadn’t considered looking for jobs in the DMV area. Now I am looking for jobs here.
