On campus, I am a biology and global health studies double major. I have taken epidemiology and a junior seminar focused on public health, which will be the basis for my senior project. I am currently a Health Coach, a program envisioned by the Community Care Network of the MMC. I visit weekly with my patients, providing assistance with exercise, dietary journals, and other health goals. Also, I have researched with the Global health Department to complete community health needs assessments for two local hospitals (Meadville Medical Center and Titusville Area Hospital). I also plan to co-author a paper (with Dr. Dawson) on Undergraduate Students’ Knowledge and Perceptions of the 2014 Ebola outbreak.
I have been on two Experiential Learning trips to Kenya and India. These were both extremely influential in the development of my interest in Global Health and travel. My most influential experience abroad was my internship with the Swami Vivekenanda Youth Movement (SVYM) in Mysore, India during the summer of 2014. I interned with GRAAM (Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement) to author a quality assurance proposal for the state Primary Health Centers. My colleague and I also created a Quality Checklist for healthcare providers and users. It was an amazing opportunity to research health systems in another country, tour and visit facilities, while also being immersed in the culture. As I hope to be a physician one day, understand the context of heath care outside of the American healthcare system was thought-provoking and significant to my academic plans. I participated in the pilot program between Allegheny College and SVYM, and hopefully, the program will continue for years to come.
Upon graduation in 2016, I plan to pursue a MD/MPH dual degree. I plan to work within international health in my career, potentially with the World Health Organization or Doctors Without Borders.
