What impact has OADI had on your academic or professional experience?

Both my academic and professional experiences have been shaped by OADI's staff and resources. A lot of my exploration into the medical field started through P3 and Hilary's support in helping me navigate my interests in both the environment and people. Many of the opportunities I've pursued started from simply asking questions and talking with people at OADI. They've always been a source of guidance whenever I wasn't sure where to start.

What has it meant to be recognized for an award and as an award recipient?

Being recognized for this award means a lot to me because I'm glad, I've been able to help people in my community. I'm honored to receive it, but I also know there is still a long way to go. I hope to continue building that same sense of community for incoming students and stay involved in supporting OADI however I can.

What values guide you and inspire you?

Some of the values that guide me are authenticity, community, and creativity. The value I probably stay closest to is authenticity, not just within myself but also in the way I interact with others. Being down-to-earth is something that's important to me. Community and creativity have also helped me through difficult times, and being around people who share those values has made a big difference in my life.

What are you most looking forward to this summer or this upcoming year?

This summer, I'm excited to be in Nebraska, meet a lot of new people, and gain new experiences in the medical field. As for the upcoming year, I'm excited to be an RA and continue expanding my involvement within the OADI community through the leadership roles I'll be taking on. 

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

A “not-so-fun” fun fact is that I love yogurt and could probably eat it for every meal, especially blueberry Noosa yogurt. I also enjoy collecting stationery and pen paling. Recently, I've been trying to memorize fonts so I can identify them wherever I go, which has become a surprisingly entertaining hobby.