Event Coordinator for S.T.I.T.C.H. Organization
Group Dynamics (Leadership)
In my first year at FIU, I became a member in this pre-med club due to its many community service events and networking opportunities with pre-med/medical students. Having been an active member in the club for a full year, I was able to witness how events were coordinated and felt that changes could be made to improve the members experience, especially when it came down to the members actual involvement in community service events. Therefore, I decided to run for the event coordinator position, and I was grateful to be chosen. As the event coordinator, my main priority was to work with active members to seek ways we could get involved with food drives, the medical school on campus, and even local organizations to help individuals with the social determinants of health. Furthermore, as the event coordinator, I was asked to plan a fall social event for the members to enjoy and network. I designed an event called the S.T.I.T.C.H. Olympics, which required members to collaborate and work as a team in a variety of activities. However, the idea was quickly turned down by the president of the executive board because she feared it would be too disorganized. I took her feedback and went home to construct a detailed event plan and decided to change the venue to a park.
I improved my plan by finding and coming up with team building activities that can help members bond with the executive board. I envisioned the activities with the help of the vice president and together we developed a detailed plan of events with the goals of the social event. I proposed the idea again and this time the president agreed with the improved plan. I didn’t let her down, the event turned out to be a huge success and the members got to know each other better as we took part in team-building activities. Working together as an E-board we achieved and developed interactive activities through good communication and hard work. In the future, this will allow me to create an inclusive environment during small group work and efficiently integrate the ideas of my fellow medical students.
Student Vice President for National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS)
As a member, I noticed areas that had to be improved as an organization. This prompted me to become the Vice President for the National Society of Leadership and Success. I felt an area that needed improvement was the communication structure between the leaders and the members. Thus, we introduced a messaging platform in which our members would be efficiently informed about volunteer opportunities, meetings, and leadership events. Together as board members, we all had a deep sense for community engagement, hence, we organized multiple events to fundraise for the FIU food pantry to help students battling food insecurity. As a leader, I learned about accountability, integrity, and commitment.
As an organization, we had just prepared about 100 food baskets to deliver to families in need during the Thanksgiving holiday at a local church. Coming together as an honor society for events that help uplift my community were moments I cherished and looked forward to with great joy. I accompanied the board members on the day of distribution, and I was able to personally hand off the baskets. I enjoyed meeting the families, especially seeing the smile on their faces as they accepted the donation with gratitude and thankfulness. High fiving the children as I gave them coloring books engulfed me in the holiday spirit. These events widened my appreciation for serving my community and enhanced my global awareness in malnutrition. Working with these families in health fairs or in local food banks, highlighted how many of their health conditions could be alleviated with better nutrition and preventative healthcare.
Civic Responsability (Global Engagement)
Project Director for Royal Green Elementary School Obesity Service Project--“Staying Active and Healthy”
After learning about the growing numbers of childhood obesity in an FIU honors course, I was stunned with the disparities in local elementary schools around our nearby communities. Brainstorming ways we could make an impact, I decided to plan a series of interactive healthy eating/exercising seminars to reduce obesity and spread awareness to children in need. What started as an idea became a reality with lots of help and support from volunteers and the school staff. Through networking, we moved to nearby schools impacting many children from disadvantaged backgrounds. This experience allowed me to understand the hardships and successes of starting a project for the wellbeing of my community.
As the students crushed various brands of potato chips to determine which one was greasier, we guided them through a lesson on healthy eating. I began to notice a young overweight boy in a corner all by himself. He timidly told me that his name was Juan and he disclosed to me that he felt ashamed of being overweight, thus, had no friends. I looked at him and asked if he would like to do the activity with me. His eyes brightened up with joy. Juan and I worked through the scientific method to conclude that Baked Lays were less greasy than Classic Lays. I actively listened when he asked questions and we worked through solutions as a team. Together, we had a lot of fun. Juan had learned how to read a food label, made an exercise schedule, and by the end of the day, he understood the importance of eating a well-balanced meal. In just three months after the seminar, Juan had lost 25 pounds. Juan and I became good friends. We agreed to set health goals and to this day we still track our progress. This experience with Juan has solidified my values of friendship and the importance of demonstrating empathy and genuine concern in patient-physician interactions.
UM Miller School of Medicine DOCS program
Working to help my community has always been a priority. I began to help at health fairs in local low-income communities, providing free medical screenings to people in need. Hearing patients’ stories made me aware of the societal challenges that people face in accessing healthcare. Serving as a Spanish translator was a rewarding experience. I spoke with individuals that had migrated from all walks of life and had no access to basic healthcare. Their stories resonated deeply with mine and motivated me to help them tackle the social determinants of health by sharing with them resources that the health fair provided. I met with the Diaz family four times during the health fairs. It showed me that I was making a connection with them as I actively listened to their needs and translated to the medical student. Also, I helped the Diaz family by sharing with them how to live a healthy lifestyle, which would improve the family’s overall health. We worked out food plans and I even helped them select healthy foods from the food section of the health fair Witnessing the family’s health improve over time highlights the impact preventative healthcare can have and has inspired me to become a future physician advocate. This experience was one of many that I made while volunteering at these health fairs throughout my undergraduate career.
Learning and Development (Global Awareness)
Colloquium: Then and Now: Journalist returns to Latin America in the Age of Maduro
In this colloquium event, we explored the journey of a journalist who has covered Latin American countries, especially Venezuela for many years. Hearing the stories enhanced my global awareness of the impact a governmental structure can have on society's culture, religion, and the well being of society in general. It is almost unimaginable how one of the wealthiest oil producing countries in Latin America could be shattered from one day to the next. Leaving their citizens with famines, medical shortages, and even no civil rights. Given that my parents had a similar experience in their country, Cuba, I saw the impact that situations like this can have on world migration. Learning about this has opened my mind to other cultures and empathize with others that had similar challenges in their home country.
Colloquium: Leadership Lecture: Melissa Medina
In this colloquium event, Melissa Medina discusses her personal and professional journey as a female executive in the technology industry. Her experience fascinated me because it shows how a minority was able to circumvent challenges to become a successful entrepreneur in an industry that is male-dominated. Talking about the cultural and social factors along with self-confidence can be important when measuring motivation in an individual. Also, her lecture inspired me to continue growing as an individual and working to become a better leader that is globally aware of society's challenges. From the lecture, I also took useful advice to enhance my leadership abilities like learning to avoid micromanaging projects and allowing others to take responsibility for their work.
Medical Cannabis: Myths vs. Facts - Lecture by Dr. Sasha Noe D.O., PhD
In this event, I learned about the origin of Cannabis and actively discussed myths and facts about the medical uses of cannabis. I became aware that patients that are prescribed medical cannabis have pain, anxiety, PTSD, multiple sclerosis, etc. Yet, many individuals are still stigmatized in their daily lives.
