Entering UVM in the fall of 2019 with the advent of the pandemic’s upheaval just months ahead, the CNHS Class of 2023’s introduction to healthcare demanded flexibility, resilience, and the capacity to adapt. Four years later, they've earned their places in the healthcare professions they chose to pursue and have much to celebrate! Read on to meet just a few of this year’s outstanding undergraduate students.
A wider field of view
When she arrived at UVM, Wing Yin "Ellie" Cheung planned to "just study hard and graduate after four years." But things didn’t turn out as expected.
“I was invited to help plan a networking event for students of color,” recalls the medical laboratory science major from Hsinchu City, Taiwan. “I am grateful for that event because, after that, I found the importance of participating in different activities and expanding my interests.”
Cheung still prioritized study time but immersed herself in extracurricular activities. She became a residential advisor, peer mentor, and student ambassador, hosting four prospective students who identified as members of marginalized communities. She joined the Center for Student Conduct’s academic integrity council, served as co-president of the Tower Society, and helped plan the Relay for Life event for Catamounts Against Cancer – all while working on her Honors College thesis about how impaired blood flow in the brain affects physiological and neurological functions that may lead to dementia. Cheung spent the final semester of her program in a clinical rotation at the University of Vermont Medical Center, which gave her a focused view of her future in medical laboratory science. After four years on campus, she's set to graduate and earned the College of Nursing and Health Sciences Dean's Awards for outstanding undergraduate achievement and inclusive excellence.
“Fortunately, I learned there is so much more than just academics,” said Cheung. “The ability to help others, explore different ideas and focus on self-improvement brought me a lot of growth. I ended up being able to do so much more than I would have ever imagined.”
Cheung begins her career as a medical laboratory scientist at Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center this spring.
Fulfilling a childhood dream
After years of dedication to a vision that began in elementary school, Julia Carbone’s dream to become a neonatal intensive care (NICU) nurse is about to become a reality as she begins her nursing career at Boston Children’s Hospital this spring.
Carbone credits the clinical experiences embedded in the nursing program for their critical role in preparing her for the profession and counts her senior practicum experience among the most valuable. Working closely with a nurse in the NICU at UVM Medical Center, Carbone logged 12-hour night shifts to develop essential skills for her career. She also worked summers as a nursing assistant in the Massachusetts General Hospital pediatrics unit to gain hands-on patient care experience. She participated in research with Professor Laura Lewis that earned her the College of Nursing and Health Sciences Research Honors Distinction for her project “Understanding Stakeholders’ Perspectives on Autism Research: Exploring Views of Parents.”
“I love that I will be working in an environment where I will be continuously learning and contributing to the advancement of patient care,” said Carbone. “I look forward to working as part of a team to provide the best care for my patients and their families.”
An open mind and motivation
As a first-year student at UVM, Jackie Palaza couldn't yet see a clear path to her future, but she had an open mind and the motivation to gain as much knowledge and experience as possible. An exercise science course project with the ROTC program sparked her interest in a U.S. Army physical therapy career, and Palaza pursued research for her Honors College thesis that focused on improving military readiness for ROTC cadets. She also interned as a personal trainer at Josh’s House, a veteran wellness facility, to prepare for her future.
“I found interacting with and understanding this population valuable as I prepare to work with soldiers,” said Palaza, who was honored for her commitment to health promotion and research this spring with the Outstanding Achievement in Exercise Science award.
“Five years from now, I see myself serving as a physical therapist at my first duty station and continuing to evolve as both a professional and a leader. I hope to foster close relationships with my patients and impact soldiers’ lives,” said Palaza. She will attend the U.S. Army-Baylor University D.P.T. program this fall.
Testing success
Growing up, California native Hannah Marshburn was interested in science and medicine and found the perfect combination in medical laboratory science.
The hands-on clinical laboratory science practicum she experienced at Yale New Haven Hospital during the final semester of her degree program put the knowledge she acquired in the classroom to the test - and confirmed she’d chosen the right career. Opportunities to collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds also gave her a deep understanding and awareness of differences in individuals and organizations, which are crucial when working in a hospital setting.
“I hope to give the best patient care by providing accurate test results to help with diagnosis and medical intervention,” said Marshburn, who will start her career as a medical laboratory scientist at Yale New Haven Hospital this spring.
Where the heart is
John Mendelis knew he wanted a job in healthcare that involved working with the public, was different every day, and would provide the opportunity to participate in emergent care.
“The more I looked into nursing, the more I realized how good of a fit it is for me,” said Mendelis, who found his calling during a clinical rotation at the UVM Medical Center when an instructor helped him gain the opportunity to observe a coronary artery bypass grafting, or heart bypass, surgery.
“Thanks to her, I realized my path was cardiology and critical care nursing,” said Mendelis, who looks forward to becoming part of the delivery of advanced cardiac care in his position as a registered nurse in a cardiac intensive care unit in Washington, D.C.
The big moments
“The UVM nursing program is great for getting hands-on experience in the field before we have to work,” said Maya Benson-Merron, who also minored in human development and family studies, and nutrition. She moved cross-country from Sausalito, CA, to attend UVM and is glad she did.
“Vermont just struck a chord with me, and Burlington has been the perfect place to go to school,” she said. “The professors are incredible people who want to see us succeed and do well as nurses and people.”
Benson-Merron received the Visiting Nurse Association Ann K. Twitchell Community Health Services Award for her compassion and commitment to involving family members to provide high-quality, holistic healthcare and patient advocacy. She’s excited for the future she spent so much time preparing for – especially watching new lives begin in her role as a registered nurse in the obstetrics unit at Lincoln Health in Maine.
“I hope to change lives - to be that person these families remember for their entire lives as the person who helped them through big moments.”
Applied impact
“I have always found rehabilitation therapy to be fascinating and have been interested in disabilities studies, linguistics, and teaching since high school,” said communication sciences and disorders major Emily Collins. “My interdisciplinary courses at UVM have allowed me to widen my interests and think of different areas where I can apply my knowledge.”
An opportunity to work with the health justice initiative of Southern Vermont Area Health Education Center’s “Out In The Open” program, which serves rural LGBTQ people in New England, sparked Collins’s desire to work with marginalized communities. Now, they’re looking for the right place to combine these passions into a meaningful career in a disability-related field working with augmentative/alternative communication (AAC) users. Collins plans to work as a speech-language pathology assistant while planning their next step.
“I look forward to making a tangible difference in people's lives and ensuring everyone can access their communication needs,” said Collins, recently honored with the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Margaret Kyte Memorial Award for academic achievement and commitment to learning. “Everyone deserves to be heard.”