What inspired or interested you about your field of study?

After taking a few H 100 & 200 classes I started to figure out that what I was learning aligned with my passions — promoting and protecting community health and well-being and preventing any form of environmental and racial injustices, the spread of disease, health disparities and injuries.

My goal is to work on improving health equity so everyone, no matter their current racial, social, environmental and economic inequalities, can live a long and healthy life! Pursuing a degree in public health is a strong step forward in reaching that goal.

What did you work on during your internship?

My favorite project was creating a Spanish version of a food sensory wheel for dietitians to use with their high-risk clients.

At WIC, I did outreach at the farmers market in Cornelius, Hillsboro and Forest Grove and worked on breastfeeding data survey entry.

With MCF, one of my main projects was working on an education resource notebook for their nurses and family connection staff.

What do you see as the greatest value of your internship?

What I have learned is that parents, guardians and caregivers are always going to need help because no matter how much experience or children they have, each new life is so different and complex.

The greatest value of my internships has been providing families in WIC with resources they need, such as breastfeeding support and nutrition/education assistance to keep pregnant mothers/parents and children under five healthy and full.

At MCF, the greatest value was connecting families with organizations and support programs like child and adult mental health services, housing/rent assistance and so many more resources that help families thrive. 

What are your post-college dreams?

After I graduate I plan on joining the Peace Corps and going to Peru, Dominican Republic or Costa Rica to be a youth health facilitator or community health facilitator. 

I also plan on applying for the CDC's Public Health Associate Program (PHAP). When/if I get accepted I want to go back home to New York City or Hawai'i.