At SPIA, I've taken classes across so many disciplines, and I think that gives me a much better perspective of where my future patients are coming from. This summer, I worked at a clinic in Alabama where many of the patients were undocumented immigrants or from the rehabs in the area. I found myself using a lot of what I’ve learned in my coursework, looking at the situational factors or socioeconomic determinants of health. I know what many of those are because I experienced them first-hand.

My hometown is very poor and suffers heavily from drug addiction. I've had family members living in poverty and developing addiction issues. Part of me wanted to have a life that was better than where I lived, that there was more out there for me. But now, I’d like to work in a rural area, preferably somewhere in Alabama close to home. I think that will allow me to have more impact, both in direct patient care and in being an advocate for different policies. I also hope to promote other rural students to go to college and medical school and come back and work as physicians as well.”