The pandemic played a big role in my interest in public health and global health, and SPIA is really opening my eyes to what the healthcare system really looks like — diving into health inequities and social determinants of health. After my first year at @PrincetonSPIA, I did an internship at a neighborhood center in my hometown of Rochester, NY. It had a health clinic, as well as mental health resources, social services, and a dentist who came and volunteered. It was a one-stop shop for the underinsured and uninsured in Rochester, and I got to see firsthand experience of what it's like to be in that situation. This past summer, I did research in health policy and orthopedics, looking at the new Medicare policy for Lower Extremity Major Joint Replacement (Hip and Knee). I spent time looking at how safety net hospitals, which serve a higher percentage of disadvantaged patients who often don't have insurance, are performing under the new policy. I’m still continuing that research and am hoping to get published. I plan to take a year off before entering the med school application cycle, so I’m exploring different disciplines within SPIA to see what I may want to focus on in that year. Having a more holistic view of health is going to make me a better practitioner.