Health Outreach Quality Improvement Program

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Running has become a therapy for me. Whether to relieve stress or simply challenge myself to run, I eagerly chase my running goals. Like the careful planning and preparation of my diet and training, running in many ways has mirrored my path to medical school.
My introduction to medicine was during high school where I was a participant in a medical magnet program. I took classes in specialized areas of medicine learning about genetics, medical technology, anatomy, and physiology as a dual enrollment student. This experience frequently challenged me, both academically and physically. Needing to wake up by 5 AM to catch the bus and frequently returning home at 7:30 PM after soccer and track practice to study and do homework by midnight. This experience was a challenge for me and instilled in me the perseverance and determination that I have today.
Attending the University of Florida my love of community service deepened providing a confirmation of my career choice. It was there I volunteered with the Health Outreach Quality Improvement Program (HOQI). In an old, used RV bus that served as a “doctor’s” office, having only a few wooden chairs, and staffed by medical, premedical, and physician assistant students. At first, I questioned how this bus could serve so many people. The majority of the
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I spent a week shadowing doctors in a rural hospital observing psychiatry, emergency, and obstetrics/gynecology examinations. Through my travels, I have become a more culturally informed student and aware of the disparities and challenges that are prevalent around the world. In addition, I was made more aware of the role of a physician serving vulnerable populations locally and abroad and this experience has motivated me to pursue global health projects a few times a year during my medical