Shama Tajani, the Community Liaison at Texas Medical Center Innovation (TMCi), has always been driven by a deep-seated passion for improving health access and equity for underserved communities. Her journey began during her undergraduate studies when she took a class on the Social Determinants of Health. She learned how factors like one’s zip code could significantly impact life expectancy more than traditional health determinants such as nutrition and physical activity.
“This class opened my eyes to the profound impact of the built environment on health quality and access to care,” Shama recalls. “I became aware of how poor health can ripple through other aspects of life, such as education and employment, and I wanted to be part of the solution.”
This realization inspired Shama to pursue a Master’s in Public Health, where she deepened her understanding of community health efforts and the importance of sustainable interventions. Her passion for enhancing health outcomes through behavioral changes and improved social conditions has guided her career ever since.
As TMC Innovation’s Community Liaison, Shama engages with various community populations, including startups, accelerator program alumni, and clinicians from TMC’s member institutions. This position requires a deep understanding of these groups’ diverse needs and the ability to foster meaningful partnerships.
“The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is the importance of truly understanding the community you serve and maintaining an open mindset, as needs continually evolve,” Shama explains. “Being the connector between organizations and communities, I help them see the benefits of collaboration, which ultimately strengthens the entire community.”
Among the initiatives that Shama finds most rewarding are the HealthTech Startup Career Showcase and the Lunch ‘n’ Launch series. The HealthTech Startup Career Showcase, held in March, aimed to connect community startups with students from Houston’s academic institutions, thereby supporting the growth of local talent and the life science ecosystem.
“Our Lunch ‘n’ Launch series highlights TMC community startups, providing them a platform to share their journey, progress, and future goals,” Shama says. “It’s been amazing to witness the support and collaboration opportunities these startups have received.
For Shama, community engagement is integral to public health. “Public health is about promoting and protecting all people’s and their communities’ health. Community engagement is the vehicle that drives this mission,” she states. Successful initiatives often stem from direct interactions with their communities, ensuring that solutions are accessible and culturally relevant.
Shama encourages those interested in public health and community engagement to find their passion. “Public health and community engagement are vast fields with numerous opportunities to focus on a population or initiative you are passionate about,” she advises. “Let your passion guide you.”
Shama sees community engagement playing a crucial role in TMC’s growth and expansion. “As we work to increase the density of Health Tech startups in Houston and build a unique life science ecosystem, community engagement will be key to keeping our members connected and collaborative,” she notes. It will attract more talent and key players to TMC, ensuring we continue to meet the evolving needs of our ecosystem.”
Shama Tajani’s dedication to galvanizing community efforts to improve health outcomes underscores the vital intersection of public health and community engagement. Through her work, she exemplifies how passion, understanding, and collaboration can drive meaningful change in health equity and access.