SPANISH AND INTERNATIONAL HEALTH B.S.
CLEMSON HONORS COLLEGE '25
Medical Assistant at Charleston ENT
My experience at Charleston ENT began as a patient of Dr. McNellis, discussing a potential septoplasty. After learning that I had an interest in healthcare, Dr. McNellis offered me the opportunity to shadow him in the clinic and operating room. Two summers later, I worked in the clinic as a medical assistant extern, aiding physicians in clinical procedures and rooming patients. At Charleston ENT, I experienced full-circle healthcare: transitioning from a patient to shadowing physicians and eventually working in the clinic. These experiences have provided me with a well-rounded understanding of both sides of medicine, exemplifying what it means to receive and administer quality care.
Shadowing Dr. McNellis was a pivotal experience in my decision to pursue medicine. Observing his interactions with patients has left a lasting impression on me, especially his ability to weave personal details into each encounter, making every patient feel valued. Additionally, I had the privilege of scrubbing into Dr. McNellis’ surgeries, an experience I will never forget. His steadfast focus impressed me; every movement in the operating room was made with precision and confidence. This level of expertise and commitment to personalized care are traits I aspire to embody in my future medical career.
To enhance my clinical experience, I worked as a medical assistant at Charleston ENT. As the point of initial contact, I collected information about patients’ concerns, vitals, and medical history to communicate to the attending physicians. When doctors proceeded with in-clinic procedures, I assisted them in retrieving the necessary instruments for that procedure. My positive experiences at Charleston ENT, both as a patient and as an employee, instilled a sense of trust that ultimately led me to proceed with the surgery I initially sought. The compassion and carefulness of the doctors have guided my aspirations to cultivate similar levels of care and attentiveness in my future interactions with patients.
Volunteer for Every Campus a Refuge (ECAR)
As a full-time student aspiring to pursue medical school, I often found making time for things other than academics challenging. A service-oriented career has always been my goal, but I felt compelled to make a difference even before acquiring my medical license. Thus, in my junior year, I enrolled in the Creative Inquiry class “Every Campus a Refuge” (ECAR). ECAR is a national initiative that allows universities to help refugees integrate into the local community. My assignment is a single mother from Malawi with six daughters, ages 4 to 19, who recently arrived in the United States. Each week, I provide tutoring support for the girls with homework and the English language.
​
Initially, when enrolling in ECAR, I was still determining what I was getting myself into. I thought it might be another opportunity to practice my Spanish or learn more about global health. I ended up being partially correct in my assumptions, as I got to work directly with global displacement and refugee resettlement, helping this family of six learn English, navigate local bus systems, and learn how to drive. What started as a volunteer opportunity turned into six new friendships that blossomed over a year. Seeing these girls has become the highlight of my week, and it is incredible to watch their language skills progress from broken English to fluency. With this fluency, I was able to hear the stories of these young girls who grew up in refugee camps in Malawi and the story of their mother who fled Rwanda during the Rwandan genocide to provide a better life for her children.
​
I will always be grateful for the pleasure of getting to know this family. They continue to be optimistic despite the significant hardships they experienced throughout their childhoods, which I admire. Building personal relationships with people from all walks of life is something I look forward to continuing to practice in medicine.
Clemson Free Clinic
In an effort to give back to my community while in school, I volunteer at the Clemson Free Clinic every other Wednesday. Two retired nurses, Ms. Sandy and Ms. Judy, have run the clinic since 2005, providing free check-ups and pharmaceuticals to patients who do not quite qualify for Medicare or Medicaid. I aspire to have the same commitment to the community I live in as they do in Clemson. My role as a volunteer is to scribe for the physicians who rotate in the clinic, shadowing them while they care for their patients. It is a large goal of mine to open a Free Clinic in the future, whether it be in my community or abroad.
Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center (EPIC) Research
In search of a way to learn more about science in a hands-on manner, I joined Dr. Morris’ lab in Clemson’s Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center. Our lab studies Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of the African Sleeping Sickness. My current project focuses on determining the substrate for mitochondrial lysine methyltransferase. This project enhances my practical laboratory techniques and allows me to blend classroom knowledge with real-world experimentation. Next year, I will develop an article to publish my findings. Through my time in this lab, I have learned about the meticulous research process and the impact of research in developing cures against pathogens.
Creative Inquiry: Digital Analysis of Trypanosomes
After a semester of studying biochemistry under the instruction of Dr. Anderson, I enrolled in her Creative Inquiry class, Digital Analysis of Trypanosomes. My professor is also involved in Dr. Morris’ lab, which studies Trypanosoma brucei. Our objective is to utilize machine learning for the quantitative analysis of glycosomes, specialized peroxisome-like organelles. My experience in digital analysis differs significantly from the hands-on experimental side that I was used to, challenging me to approach the study of biochemical machinery through a lens of computer science. In the fall, we will present a poster with our findings at the Cellular Biology of Eukaryotic Pathogens conference
Student Volunteer at MUSC's University Hospital
Over the summers of 2022 and 2023, I gained knowledge of inpatient healthcare through volunteering at the Medical University of South Carolina’s (MUSC) University Hospital. I rotated through the Neurology Unit, PACU, and MICU, assisting nurses with patient transport, guiding visitors, and stocking rooms. Although I was limited in what I could help with, I gained a deeper understanding of the different roles in healthcare and how they collaborate to provide the best care. I mostly interacted with nurses and CNA’s, observing first-hand their compassionate and efficient delivery of patient care.
Clinical Shadowing
Through shadowing health professionals, I have discovered my love for medicine. My first shadowing experience was in ninth grade, where I observed a kidney stone removal. Since then, I have shadowed various healthcare professionals, including an oral surgeon, perfusionist, physician assistant, orthopedic surgeon, general surgeon, dermatologist, internist, and family doctor, among others. These experiences have allowed me to explore diverse domains of medicine, ranging from large hospitals to small rural clinics, and spanning experiences within the United States and internationally. Each experience serves as a reminder of the reasons that have led me to pursue medicine as a career.
Public Health Coach - A Matter of Balance
"A Matter of Balance" is an evidence-based, eight-week program designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels among older adults. Through a Clemson Creative Inquiry class, I taught older adults in the rural area of Clemson these lessons, drawing on my coursework in public health at Clemson. I applied my knowledge to coach participants in fall prevention techniques and in mindset cultivation to view falls as preventable. I also learned how creating meaningful connections and personal interventions for the participants can aid in achieving their goals. Contributing to the prevention of future injuries among participants was deeply gratifying and mutually beneficial.
Clemson Health Professions Advising - PreHealth Ambassador
I joined Health Professions Ambassadors during my sophomore year to be part of a pre-health community at Clemson. As an ambassador, I provide guidance to current and prospective students aspiring to pursue a medical degree, offering insight and advice on preparing for medical school and navigating the medical school application process. By assisting other students with this process, I have learned much about choosing and preparing for my career path. I also established connections with both physicians and professors, who have aided me in my process of applying to medical school.
Clemson Surf Club - President & Founding Member
Upon finding the Clemson Surf Club when I entered college, I joined ecstatically, hoping to continue my love of the sport in Clemson. Over the next three years, I built lifelong friendships and also helped establish the club to become one of the largest at Clemson. What started as a group of 20 stoked surfers developed into 1,200 students interested in the sport of surfing. I have worked my way up from an officer to vice president and, this upcoming semester, to president. Through this club, I have embarked on many trips across the country and internationally, and with the large transition in the number of members, I have learned valuable lessons about leadership, organization, and teamwork.
Carolina Salt Surf Lessons - Surf Instructor
I began working as a surf instructor the summer before starting college, and each summer since, I have continuously found myself drawn back to this job. What appeals to me the most about instructing is the interaction with people from different walks of life, from children to retired adults, who have all come to check surfing off their bucket lists. I love sharing the sport I love, and teaching surfing has enhanced my communication and leadership skills and taught me the profound value of collaboration between instructor and learner. Witnessing my students improve exponentially with each lesson reinforces my love for both teaching and surfing.
