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ASB 2010 - A Veteran’s Affair: In Pursuit of Health Care - Washington DC

Basic Information
Application Process: 
ASB 2009-2010
Trip Name: 
A Veteran’s Affair: In Pursuit of Health Care - Washington DC
Trip Location: 
Washington DC
Air Travel Trip: 
This trip will travel by air.
Number of Participants: 
12
Trip Description: 

This ASB course is dedicated to the formation of a strong advocacy group for the health care of our nation’s servicemen and women.  We will take a look at the history of veterans’ affairs in the United States and the current political climate, taking into account the increasing influx of veterans returning from the Middle East. We will discuss changes in the VA wrought by the Obama administration and engage in issues ranging from economics to ethics.  Students will be expected to delve into the short weekly readings and come to class prepared to discuss the articles with fellow group members.  You will learn what can be accomplished when students with similar passions get together and realize the numerous venues available at Stanford to further serve our nation’s veterans. The class will culminate in a week-long trip to Washington, D.C., where we will meet with politicians who determine national policy on veteran health. In addition, we will be volunteering at local outreach centers for veteran and homeless communities in an effort to translate political ideals into action. The message we seek to convey to the group is that change is not wrought by a few people who tediously pour over documents in the capital.  While we will bear witness to the mechanics of policy administration, the power to make legislation work ultimately lies in the hands of people like us, who are willing to speak and work for a cause.  Students will leave with a better sense of their leadership skills and confidence in their ability to make a positive impact on an unquestionably deserving community.

Trip Leaders
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Donovan Barfield

Donovan Barfield is a sophomore double majoring in chemistry and math & computational sciences (MCS).  His passion for veterans’ health was ignited when he went on this very same ASB trip in the 2008-2009 school year.  In Washington, he was inspired by the brilliant speakers who strive each and every day to ensure our nation’s veterans get the excellent care they deserve.  He was enraptured by their self-felt duty to provide a powerful voice for the men and women who risk their lives in service to the United States.  Upon returning to Stanford he joined United Students for Veterans Health (USVH), where he now serves on the Board as Director of Issue Advocacy.  He cannot wait to meet this year’s group of students and share with them one of the most powerful and moving experiences they will have at Stanford.

Vineet Singal

"Wars come and go, but my soldiers stay eternal."-Tupac Shakur                                              Vineet Singal is a junior studying neurobiology. His interest in veterans issues sparked when he read an LA Times article about the lack of care devoted to veteran mental health care issues in America, and he decided to write his PWR paper outlining the history of veteran mental health issues from World War II to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. As the Director of Education for the United Students for Veterans Health (USVH) at Stanford, Vineet hopes to increase awareness of veteran health care issues on campus. Vineet also hopes to provide this year's ASB group the same great instruction and experience he had when he was a member on the same trip his freshman year, led it sophomore year and knows that this third trip is going to be extremely fun and exciting for its participants.