Christopher G AhnAllen

What inspires or motivates you in your role at HMS/HSDM?
I am motivated to be a clinical supervisor for whom my trainees will ultimately model and integrate aspects into their future supervisory roles. I strive to conduct supervisory exchanges in an open and respectful manner that integrates learning, support and practice. It is their future practice and professionalism that drives me to be an effective supervisor.

In what ways do you feel you contribute to the Harvard community?
I consider my contributions to the Harvard community to be centered upon a mission to serve those who are underserved. In this way, I have chosen to provide mental health services including administration, education, training and clinical practice to Veterans with severe and persistent mental illness within an inpatient mental health service. I strive to advocate for those whom others may not or may otherwise not understand through my efforts in understanding their individualized experience, recovery needs and provision of services. As a representative of the Harvard community, I see it as my duty to extend these ideals and efforts to others through education, leadership and demonstration in practice in day to day activities.

What is the significance of the object you brought with you to the photo shoot?
A clinical office space is not only for my use but for the patients, faculty, staff and trainees with whom I work on a daily basis. This object is one of a few that sits on my desk. It is a foam stress ball that is in the shape of the brain and detailed in rainbow colors. It represents for me that my office, and therefore myself and my practice, is a space to welcome all including those who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or otherwise queer. As a person with significant societal privileges in most spheres, I accept the responsibility of communicating to others as best I can my openness and sensitivity in the work that do. It is my hope that a simple object can begin to communicate such a message.