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Judd, a global ambassador for YouthAIDS, and Vyas, a graduate professor of public health, were part of a YouthAIDS excursion to India last March. The National Geographic Channel and CBS filmed their trip, and National Geographic plans to air a documentary made with this film. The documentary details the organization's goal to empower women in the face of India's AIDS epidemic and will be aired Dec. 1, this year's World AIDS Day.
"Having Dr. Vyas with us to visit PSI (Population Services International) programs was a thrill," Judd wrote in an e-mail. "She is so bright, compassionate, motivated and exactly the type of private sector/academic we love reaching out to."
Judd added that Vyas has "a real capacity to make a measurable impact on our life-saving health programs and poverty reduction solutions through her work at GW and within her circle of friends."
Vyas became involved in last year's trip to India when she met Katie Roberts, founder of YouthAIDS, at the 2006 YouthAIDS gala in D.C.
"Amita (Vyas) had been for a while looking for a cause to immerse herself in," Roberts said. "Her friend invited me and her to dinner and … we talked about the trip, what the objectives were, and Amita decided to join us and to really learn more about our mission and what we do on the ground."
YouthAIDS is an organization that sponsors an array of prevention and education programs about HIV and AIDS across the globe. The organization provides programs in India, donates funds and organizes health services for the country's citizens. The trip, which was specifically geared toward empowering women, required visiting vulnerable populations.
"The conditions are so ripe to become a national disaster," Roberts said.
Judd's presence attracted a great deal of media attention both here and abroad to YouthAIDS' efforts in India. Vyas praised Judd's knowledge of the issue and her excellent skills in communicating with the Indian population.
