I have pursued lifelong learning by exposing myself to individuals who are different than me by studying abroad and doing a nutrition internship in Italy; the experience has allowed me to realize that being able to communicate is key to successful relationships and is an opportunity to provide better care for future patients. Learning this allowed me to mature and become appreciative of others and their values; it has also taught me that they key to being adaptable in adverse circumstances is a constant positive attitude. I am excited for the opportunity to integrate an attitude of lifelong learning, respect for differing cultures, and positivity into my experience in medical school.

I am currently living in Italy and doing a nutrition internship which focuses on the health effects of different types of food on people with diseases such as diabetes and Celiac disease. I work on an organic, non-GMO farm where we prepare foods for people on any type of restricted diet (diabetic, celiac, vegan, etc.).  The experience has taught me the extreme power in nutrition choices: I believe that this is a key part to a person’s health and wellness. As a psychology major, I believe that emotional, physical, and cognitive health all interact constantly; to address one of these core principles without addressing the others is ineffective. Experiencing living in another country where the culture is extremely focused on nutritional health and emotional well-being has been a powerful experience that has allowed me to recognize the value in diverse relationships, develop my problem-solving skills and adaptability in a challenging environment.

I was selected as one of twelve people to be a Color Captain for University of Alabama Dance Marathon, an organization committed to raising money for Children’s of Alabama hospital. As Color Captain, I led a team of 200 people, participated in planning fundraising events, coordinated team meetings, and organized the 12 hour dance marathon during year-round meetings. The Color Team that I led raised over $25,000 for the children’s hospital during my time on the Morale committee. Being a part of UADM was one of the biggest influencers behind my desire and purpose to go to medical school.

I have shadowed doctors including Dr. Brian Le (cardiologist), Dr. Camille Clark (OBGYN), and Dr. Marc Eskin (anesthesiologist) for a total of 120 hours. I plan to shadow more in the Spring 2018, as I am graduating in December and will be pursuing more shadowing hours and a job as a medical scribe. My time shadowing was key in my path to pursuing a career as a physician; it allowed me not only to see the daily life of a physician, but also how they used their skills to improve a patient’s health. The diversity of settings I got to experience, such as doctor’s office, surgery centers, and hospitals, exposed me to a diversity of possibilities in the field of medicine.  

Shadowing Dr. Eskin had the largest impact on me: it was inspiring to see how he connected with the patients on a personal level and used his interpersonal skills to perceive what a patient needed, whether it be a joke or a serious opinion. In every situation, he ultimately put the patient’s needs first; his passion was not only in helping his patients become healthier individuals, but also in educating them. He always went out of his way to ensure that the patients and their families knew what was going on, and his compassion for each person was evident in how he treated each person. I one day aspire to be a physician like Dr. Eskin: one that recognizes both the emotional and physical needs of a patient. The way he was always able to balance being determined and considerate, but also quick on his feet and prepared for the worst is vital to success. Watching him work reaffirmed my desire to be a physician and allowed me to gain a deep understanding of the skills and qualities necessary to be a relatable and dependable physician. The experience has taught me the importance of focusing on the humanity of both the physician and the patient; it has had a significant impact on me because I have learned how humility, respect, and hard work are vital components to being a successful physician.

As Junior Panhellenic delegate, I was responsible for being the liaison between the Panhellenic Council, which is the university authority over Greek policies and procedures, and my chapter. I fulfilled these responsibilities by attending monthly Panhellenic meetings at the university level and serving as the communicator between my 400+ member chapter and the university. This experience taught me the importance of reliability and hard work; I loved being responsible for the communication between my chapter and university. Through this experience, I learned public speaking, communication, organizational skills, and the significance of developing relationships with a diverse population.

As a member of the Philanthropy Committee, I collaborated with other committee members to produce creative ideas and organize fundraising events for Children Miracle Network hospitals. I assisted in planning, raising awareness, and assembly of events, including Midnight Bowling and several sports tournaments. I actively participated in raising awareness around campus by creating and distributing flyers, speaking in front of my classes, and educating students about these events in the student center. Being a part of this committee allowed me to develop collaboration, problem-solving, and leadership skills.

As a member of the honors college, I had the opportunity to participate in a Habitat for Humanity practicum, learning about the business details of a nonprofit organization and volunteering for over fifty hours over sixteen weeks. I learned many details about the construction of a house and worked directly with people of many ages, races, and socioeconomic statuses toward the common goal of providing a home for someone who truly needed and deserved it. Habitat for Humanity has taught me life lessons that have allowed me to recognize and develop my integrity, teamwork skills, and appreciation for diversity: characteristics that are key to becoming a successful physician.

I have coached swimmers since Summer of 2012; my responsibilities have included planning practice content, scheduling lessons and meet events using Excel, communicating concerns or problems with parents and supervisors, and directing 300+ swimmers during a meet. I taught classes to parents with their one-year old infants, children ranging from ages 2-16, children with autism and down syndrome, and adults ranging from ages 18-50. Watching people learn about the sport and gain confidence in their own abilities is extremely rewarding as a coach and leader; I will translate the skills I learned in leadership, service, and communication as a swim coach to patients and peers as a physician.

As a Peer Leader, I participated in a weekly collaboration meeting with fellow Peer Leaders and played a role similar to a Teacher's Assistant for a freshman class. I acted as a liaison between the professor and the students, mentored the students in things such as professional email and organizational skills, planned a meet and greet event for the students, and facilitated education about organizations and clubs. I presented in front of the 50 person class and informed them about opportunities to volunteer in the Tuscaloosa area and organizations to get involved with on UA’s campus. Being a Peer Leader helped me develop my communication, public speaking, and leadership skills.

As a freshman, I was selected to participate in a program that facilitated student involvement in research. I worked in a biology lab in which we aimed to discover the roles of several transcription factors in heavy metal detoxification and oxidative stress reduction in zebrafish. As an undergraduate assistant, I learned how to care for the zebrafish, run cognitive tests on them using a maze, and code the videos of the fish swimming in the mazes. I was part of a group that prepared a formal research poster and presented at the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Conference in May 2015. This experience has excited me for future possibilities in the field of medical research.

In April of 2017, I was inducted into Alpha Epsilon Delta, the pre-health honor society that I had been working to become a part of since my freshman year. I attended weekly meetings that included helpful speakers, such as medical student panels, physicians, admission committee members, physician assistants, and researchers. Meeting physicians or researchers or public health officers, and hearing about the impact they had on other people gave me a constant reminder of what I wanted to become: it gave me the drive I needed to stay constantly involved in shadowing, volunteering, and mentoring within AED while still being able to stay focused on my studies.

In April of 2017, I was inducted into Alpha Epsilon Delta, the pre-health honor society that I had been working to become a part of since my freshman year. I attended weekly meetings that included helpful speakers, such as medical student panels, physicians, admission committee members, physician assistants, and researchers. Meeting physicians or researchers or public health officers, and hearing about the impact they had on other people gave me a constant reminder of what I wanted to become: it gave me the drive I needed to stay constantly involved in shadowing, volunteering, and mentoring within AED while still being able to stay focused on my studies.

As a member of AED, the Alabama pre-health honor society, I took part in an initiative to integrate more STEAM curriculum into the Tuscaloosa elementary schools. I went for several weeks with other students from AED to University Place Elementary School and led science projects in 1st-4th grade classrooms. I enjoyed being a part of igniting the children’s curiosity and fascination for the world around them; encouraging an attitude of lifelong learning and developing my own leadership skills. I want to transfer my passions for teamwork, teaching, and leading into my future career as a physician.  

I worked in Kid Lab for one year; the lab’s goal was to understand the relationship between imaginative play and cognitive ability. Kid Lab also partnered with an anthropology lab to test physiological responses to emotional and physical stress in children; I was certified to take EKG’s, respiratory rate, and skin conductance levels in children. The developmental focus I had in my psychology major was vital in contributing to my thorough understanding that many factors including personality, developmental stage, social skills, and cognition all interact within the patient; utilizing this information is beneficial for very personalized, effective approach to the patient as a whole.