Hana Taylor Schlitz, a remarkable young Ethiopian woman, has become the youngest graduate in Texas Woman’s University’s history at just 16 years old.
She received her degree in Sociology in May 2024. Hana’s journey from a small village in Southern Ethiopia to a PhD candidate is a powerful testament to resilience, medical science, and public health infrastructure.
Hana’s story begins with tragedy. Born in a remote Ethiopian village, she lost her mother shortly after birth to tuberculosis (TB), a preventable and treatable disease.
At just ten months old, Hana was adopted by an American family and brought to the United States, where she was diagnosed with TB and began a life-saving treatment journey.
Her adoptive mother, Dr. Myiesha Taylor, an emergency medicine physician, played a pivotal role in ensuring Hana received the necessary medical care.
Reflecting on her early life, Hana emphasizes the stark realities faced by many around the world. According to the World Health Organization, TB is one of the top 10 causes of death globally, claiming 1.5 million lives in 2020 alone.
Hana’s survival and success story is a stark reminder of the countless potential leaders, innovators, and caretakers lost to this disease. She acknowledges her privilege in receiving world-class medical care, contrasting it with the fate of many children in her birth country and beyond.
Hana’s academic achievements and personal experiences have shaped her commitment to public health advocacy.
She is particularly driven to improve health systems in low and middle-income countries, where access to quality healthcare is limited.
This commitment is the cornerstone of her decision to pursue a PhD in Sociology, where she aims to study the complex interactions between society, health, and disease.
As Hana prepares to join her sister, Haley Taylor Schlitz, in setting a new record at Texas Woman’s University, she views her accomplishments as a call to action.
With TB rates rising again in the United States, she urges the global community to recommit to the fight against the disease. Hana believes that saving lives from TB is a moral imperative and a key to unlocking the potential of millions who could contribute significantly to society.
Hana Taylor Schlitz’s journey is a powerful reminder of what is possible with access to healthcare and support.
Her story is a beacon of hope and a call for a global effort to eradicate TB, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to fulfill their potential.
Hana embodies the spirit of Texas Woman’s University’s motto to “Boldly Go,” striving to significantly impact social change and public health through her research and advocacy.
