Sonder Hospice

2022-2024 

I started off as a volunteer with Sonder Hospice, where I would regularly check in with geriatric patients, ensuring that their needs are met. Communicating with and taking care of this population presents a unique set of obstacles that has consequently enhanced my problem-solving ability. In August of 2022, I became Sonder's Volunteer Coordinator, where I grew our program to 30 volunteers, and optimized care for our patients as well as services for our families. Through new partnerships with community organizations, I found innovative ways to bring our patients joy, including arts and crafts days, storytelling nights, and pet therapy. My experience with Sonder Hospice truly taught me the importance of making patients feel heard.

2019 - 2024 

SEAL is a nonprofit at multiple college campuses that hosts mentorship programs for K-5 students at underserved schools across the state of Texas. As a member of the Board of Directors of SEAL's national chapter, I led SEAL's premier Leadership Development Program, which laid the groundwork for expansion of SEAL to new college campuses across the country. While serving as President of UT Austin’s SEAL chapter, I expanded the number of schools we serve, organized a fundraiser for K-5 children who lost their homes in a fire, constructed Little Free Libraries for schools that lost librarians due to COVID-19 budgeting constraints, and pioneered a committee system that allows general members to gain leadership experience.

2019 - 2023

I have learned the importance of empathy and connecting with others through my experiences at Camp Kesem, a national nonprofit that holds annual summer camps for children affected by their parent's cancer. Each year, our coordinator board rose to the challenge of putting on a camp that is more engaging and organized than the last, so our kiddos can describe their time with us as the "best camp ever." As Outreach Coordinator, I prioritized increasing diversity and inclusion in camper recruitment while working with other coordinators to launch Kesem By Your Side, a program that allows counselors to connect with campers outside of annual camps. By attending regular family socials and bonding activities, we were able to better serve our camper population. I regularly served as a unit leader/camp counselor during my four years with Kesem.

2023

In addition to being a Neuroscience Honors major at UT Austin, I wanted to pave the way forward for future students to gain an even better education. I was a Teaching Assistant for UT's Neural Systems II Course, where I started weekly TA-lead recitation sessions that bolstered students' confidence in the content. Simultaneously, I assisted the instructor in creating a culture of support within the department through attendance at First-Year Interest-Group meetings. 

2020 - 2023

As a clinical researcher for Dell Medical School’s Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, I assisted with hands-on projects to answer the fundamental question of how medical institutions can encourage patient mentalities conducive to healthful outcomes. Our studies focused on the outlook and the ultimate outcome of patients facing surgical prognoses to assess the role of cognitive factors in influencing patients' recovery journeys. As an enroller for the research team, I regularly visited local clinics and informed patients about our studies. As part of my Honors thesis, I led a study with the Dell Med Surgery Team that evaluated how art therapy during visits to a musculoskeletal specialist can influence perceptions of pain and feelings of anxiety/depression. 

2022 

 As a virtual medical scribe for Eagle Physicians' OB-GYN Department, I enhanced physician productivity through the timely completion of medical charts as well as consultation with the physician regarding patient history prior to the visit. I saw how my efforts allowed Dr. Cole to give her undivided attention to patients. In addition, I oversaw patient lab orders to ensure that they were complete and processed prior to the patient leaving the clinic. After a few months of my role, I was promoted to the role of Clinical Trainer, and helped pave the way for future scribes to make a difference for both patients and physicians. 

2021

As a summer researcher for the Texas A&M Institute of Biosciences as part of the Hamill Biotechnology Program, I deeply explored the neurodegenerative, mitochondrial disorder of Friedreich’s Ataxia (FRDA) with Dr. Thomas Kent. Following a comprehensive literature review to evaluate which enzymes would be most impactful, I analyzed the efficiency of growth and oxidative phosphorylation in FRDA cells versus control cells and concluded superoxide dismutase to be the key enzyme. I presented my findings at an in-house inter-departmental conference. 

2021 - Present 

As both a Community Education Team (CET) Leader and Clinical Volunteer, I have helped further El Bari's mission to bring compassionate care to marginalized areas of San Antonio. I assist with clinic flow by getting patients checked in for their appointments, performing their vitals, and scheduling future appointments/labs they may need. As a CET leader, I have helped significantly expand this program over the past year by collaborating with vendors across San Antonio to bring even more valuable community education sessions, including Diabetes and Hypertension Management, Vision Health, Hepatitis Prevention, Colon Cancer screening, and more. 

I have an avid interest in photography and photo manipulation, which have drawn me to a multiplicity of destinations across the world as well as a love of different perspectives. Photography represents a method of self-cultivation. With each shot, I improve certain elements, such as the focus, white balance, lighting, and saturation. With each picture, I see myself improving and growing. I intend to connect my passion for photography with my role as a healthcare provider by devising therapy interventions, such as the one I am currently researching at Dell.