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Ediz Kerim

625

Bold Points

1x

Finalist

Bio

I am a driven 19-year-old born in the United States, I am a proud first-generation Bulgarian-American whose parents immigrated to this country from Bulgaria in 2000 seeking new opportunities. This diverse background has instilled in me a deep appreciation for cultural diversity as well as the value of hard work and determination in pursuit of one's goals. From an early age, I have been passionate about athletics and the outdoors, competing in sports like swimming, water polo, and tennis throughout my youth. This active lifestyle fostered discipline, teamwork, and a drive to continually challenge myself physically and mentally. Alongside my athletic endeavors, I have maintained a strong academic focus, achieving a high GPA through diligent studying and time management. Beyond the classroom and sports fields, I have broad interests that fuel my eternal desire for self-improvement. I am an avid fly fisherman, drawn to the peacefulness of nature and the intricacies of the sport. I also have a keen enthusiasm for cycling and running to stay healthy in body and mind. On a more intellectual level, I am intensely passionate in the fields of healthcare and business - areas I hope to combine through my intended fields of Information Systems & Analytics and Healthcare Administration. At my core, I am an endlessly curious student of life, always seeking opportunities for growth. I believe strongly in the importance of holistic self-care encompassing physical, mental, and spiritual wellness. With relentless drive, I endeavor to become the best version of myself each day.

Education

Saint Louis Community College

Associate's degree program
2023 - 2023
  • Majors:
    • Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
    • Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
  • Minors:
    • Health and Medical Administrative Services

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
    • Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
    • Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Medicine

    • Dream career goals:

      When I've done everything I could in the field that I devoted myself, I would like to pursue a master's and PhD in my field to become a professor.

    • Medical Scribe

      ScribeAmerica
      2022 – 20231 year

    Sports

    Water Polo

    Junior Varsity
    2018 – 20202 years

    Swimming

    Junior Varsity
    2018 – 20202 years

    Tennis

    Junior Varsity
    2020 – 20222 years

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      National Honors Society — As an NHS member, I uphold scholarship, leadership, service, and character. I excel academically, lead by example, serve my community, and embody integrity.
      2019 – 2022

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Entrepreneurship

    Heal Our World Software Scholarship
    In an era defined by rapid technological disruption, the transformative potential of software transcends just its functional utility; it has become a powerful instrument for driving positive societal change. When leveraged thoughtfully and equitably, innovative software can help solve long-standing challenges, democratize access to resources and opportunities, and cultivate inclusive environments where all people can thrive. I am passionate about developing dynamic solutions that promote community growth, resilience, and collective empowerment. A key societal obstacle software can help overcome is the "digital divide," which restricts disadvantaged populations from accessing education, telemedicine, remote work opportunities, online banking, and other vital services due to a lack of internet connectivity or technology literacy. I envision creating open-source software platforms that lower cost barriers while providing user-friendly interfaces tailored to diverse linguistic and cultural contexts. This expands digital inclusion and self-sufficiency. For example, I aim to develop multilingual mobile apps that act as centralized community portals, providing on-demand tutorials, telehealth consultations, digital skills training, and remote employment search capabilities. Users could seamlessly access these resources from any internet-enabled device, unencumbered by income constraints or geographic isolation. Built-in language translation functionality ensures equitable access, regardless of fluency level. These empowerment tools can sustainably uplift underserved groups while fostering economic resilience at the individual and community levels. The collaborative power of software also represents a unique opportunity to de-silo disparate social and civic organizations working towards common causes. Through open data sharing and interoperable systems, we can break down barriers hampering coordinated service delivery and collective impact initiatives. I would like to create cloud-based cooperative platforms that allow nonprofits, government agencies, community groups, and social enterprises to consolidate and cross-reference data. This enhances visibility into regionally specific needs and amplifies effective interventions while reducing duplicative efforts. For example, unified reporting dashboards tracking economic, education, health, housing, and workforce development metrics across a municipality could illuminate linkages and root causes behind systemic inequities. This then informs collaborative actions and aligned policy decisions to drive holistic progress. The democratization and transparent sharing of knowledge streamline coordination between civic stakeholders while empowering the communities themselves to lead their growth agendas. For my senior capstone project next year, I plan to develop a workforce onboarding and peer mentoring system tailored for people with autism, ADHD, intellectual disabilities, and traumatic brain injuries. The immersive training modules will provide learners with simulated professional environments to practice communication, task planning, and social skills while earning stackable certifications. The mentoring matching algorithm facilitates supportive relationships, personalized coaching, and knowledge sharing. This neurodivergent-centric design deconstructs systemic biases while empowering this underrepresented talent pool to highlight their unique strengths. At its core, innovative software holds immense potential to dismantle long-standing barriers, bridge societal divides, facilitate grassroots collaboration, and uplift communities by equipping them with digital empowerment tools. As emerging technologies continue to reshape our world, the developers and creatives behind these solutions shoulder a social responsibility to promote inclusive design, democratized access, and equitable outcomes. Through the ethical creation of open-source platforms, cooperative digital ecosystems, and accessibility-focused software, we can sustainably address the root drivers of systemic disadvantages. My mission is to harness these capabilities in the service of cultivating resilient communities unified in their passion for growth, ingenuity, and shared prosperity. Transformational software uplifts human potential, and in doing so, it repairs and fortifies the fabric of society itself.
    Christina Taylese Singh Memorial Scholarship
    From a young age, I have been utterly fascinated by the marvels of modern medicine and healthcare delivery. However, I was equally perplexed by the systemic challenges of providing quality, affordable care to all populations, regardless of socioeconomic status or geographic location. This dichotomy sparked an enduring passion to forge a career dedicated to eliminating accessibility barriers and democratizing healthcare services through innovative solutions. As a proud first-generation American born to Bulgarian immigrant parents, I was instilled with a strong appreciation for diversity, hard work, and creating opportunities for personal growth. These values have fueled my drive for continual self-improvement across all facets of life—academic, athletic, entrepreneurial, and spiritual. I am constantly seeking new knowledge, experiences, and ways to uplift my local and global community. My unique cross-disciplinary education combining healthcare administration, supply chain management, and information systems and analytics reflects this wide-ranging curiosity. These fields represent the fusion of my lifelong interests in healthcare, technology, and developing holistic approaches to complex challenges. I am passionate about leveraging digital transformation, data-driven insights, and optimized logistics to increase access to affordable, high-quality care for all. The healthcare administration program has provided a robust foundation in healthcare operations, laws and regulations, financial management, organizational behavior, and clinical processes. However, my goal is to go beyond just understanding how healthcare systems currently function. I am driven to revolutionize and enhance care delivery itself, especially for underserved populations facing socioeconomic and geographic barriers. This is where my studies in supply chain management and information and analytics become vital change agents. From a logistics perspective, I aim to apply practices in procurement, distribution, and inventory management to streamline medical supply chains. Increasing transparency and sustainability while mitigating risks will be paramount to ensuring reliable, ethical access to critical healthcare supplies and medications. I also plan to embrace cutting-edge technologies like telehealth, remote monitoring, and predictive analytics to extend preventative and interventional care directly into isolated communities. At its core, my interdisciplinary path will allow me to break down traditional healthcare silos and construct a patient-centric, holistic model that proactively addresses the root causes of poor health through community partnerships, public health expertise, and multi-stakeholder collaboration. A huge part of this vision is fostering cultural competency to understand unique population needs and then co-creating responsive solutions tailored to those contexts. My passion for healthcare equity is driven by a sincere belief that every human being deserves access to the comprehensive services and support systems required to survive and thrive. It is a moral and ethical imperative to democratize healthcare as a fundamental human right, not just an exclusive privilege. By drawing upon diverse expertise spanning medicine, technology, data science, public policy, business operations, and civic engagement, I can drive systematic and sustainable improvements in community health outcomes. This commitment to service also stems from my personal life principles of empathy, human dignity, and celebrating our shared hopes for growth and fulfillment despite any differences. I find profound meaning in being able to positively impact others and make the world a bit brighter, even if through small acts of kindness or nudging someone closer to realizing their full potential. Looking ahead, I am energized by the opportunity to put my interdisciplinary education into practice in communities most in need of an affordable, preventative, and holistic healthcare ecosystem. I will embrace the complexities of this challenge by shining a light on insufficiencies and then innovating collaborative solutions informed by diverse expertise and perspectives. This is how I intend to revolutionize healthcare delivery and bend the arc of progress toward a more equitable future of comprehensive well-being for all.
    TEAM ROX Scholarship
    I have always felt a strong desire to help people reach their full potential, and this has led me to dedicate my life to serving others. I find great meaning in being selfless, empathetic, and prioritizing the needs of others. My passion for healthcare started at a young age, as I was amazed by the ability of doctors and nurses to improve people's health and quality of life. This admiration solidified my desire to pursue a career that creates positive change in people's lives. Throughout my academic and extracurricular pursuits, I have actively sought out opportunities to develop skills that allow me to better support and elevate others. I decided to study healthcare administration, supply chain management, and data analytics because I recognized the transformative impact these interdisciplinary fields can have on healthcare accessibility, affordability, and quality of care delivery. By combining my expertise in health systems operations, logistics, technology, and data-driven process optimization, I aim to break down barriers that segregate underserved communities from essential medical services. My goal is to construct an equitable, preventative, and patient-centric model of community-based care tailored to each population's unique cultural and socioeconomic needs. I believe that leveraging telehealth, predictive analytics, ethical supply chain practices, and multi-stakeholder collaboration can empower communities with the resources and education needed to take ownership of their well-being. However, my commitment to service extends far beyond my chosen fields of study. I strive to lead with empathy, emotional intelligence, and an underlying recognition that we are all human beings deserving of dignity, respect, and compassion. I believe that meaningful personal growth and self-actualization can only be achieved through cultivating strong relationships centered around mutual understanding. My philosophy of a people-first and relationship-driven approach shapes how I approach teamwork, leadership, and interpersonal interactions. I make a concerted effort to create safe spaces that celebrate diversity of perspectives, build trust, and inspire open and honest dialogue. My focus is on bringing people together by fostering connections, not separating them by differences. I aim to motivate and empower others to take ownership of their goals by enthusiastically providing a supportive environment of encouragement and accountability. Ultimately, my greatest point of pride and most substantial source of fulfillment comes from those moments of human connection—when I get to share in someone's victories, ease their burdens, or inspire them to keep pushing towards their full potential. In my mind, there is no greater purpose in life than being able to positively impact others and make the world a bit brighter. I am committed to fusing this calling to service with my interdisciplinary capabilities to uplift and empower communities to break cycles of disadvantage. By championing health equity, facilitating self-actualization, and spreading a unifying message of hope, I can be an instrument of positive change for generations to come.
    Robert & Sharon Lee Memorial Scholarship
    Growing up, I was always fascinated by the marvels of modern medicine and perplexed by the challenges and inequities that plague healthcare delivery. From an early age, I knew I wanted a career that allowed me to have a positive impact on people's lives while solving complex problems at the intersection of health, business, and technology. This driving passion has led me to pursue a multidisciplinary course of study combining healthcare administration, supply chain management, and information systems and analytics. At its core, the healthcare field is ultimately about enhancing human well-being and alleviating suffering. As an administrator, I will play a pivotal role in ensuring healthcare organizations operate efficiently and deliver optimal patient care and outcomes. Through skilled management of resources, processes, personnel, and service delivery, I can help construct a seamless experience that provides a positive healing environment for patients and their families. Perhaps just as importantly, I will focus on implementing policies, technologies, and initiatives that increase healthcare accessibility and affordability for all members of the community. Supply chain management lies at the critical heart of healthcare operations, invisible to most patients yet vital in ensuring every provider has the equipment, medications, and supplies necessary to treat the ill and injured. Without a finely tuned supply chain, care comes to a grinding halt. By applying keen logistics and operational expertise, I aim to streamline procurement and distribution networks to eliminate wasteful spending that drives up costs. I will construct resilient sourcing channels and inventory systems to prevent potentially life-threatening shortages of essential medical goods. In an era of increasingly globalized supply chains, mitigating risks from disruptions or quality lapses is crucial to protecting patient safety. My goal is to enhance supply chain resilience and transparency to safeguard the delivery of high-quality, affordable care. Underpinning the future of healthcare delivery is the field of information systems and analytics, which allows for the integration of big data, artificial intelligence, and cutting-edge technology to drive improved outcomes. As an analyst, I will leverage data to identify gaps and inefficiencies in existing processes and then apply technical solutions to optimize patient experiences, resource utilization, and system interoperability. Harnessing the power of real-time information and predictive analytics can enable preventative interventions, accelerate medical breakthroughs, and enhance diagnostic accuracy. My role will be to translate complex data into clear insights that allow providers to make better-informed decisions and ultimately improve lives. The common thread woven through my chosen specialties of healthcare administration, supply chain, and data analytics is using an interdisciplinary, systems-level approach to increase the quality and accessibility of medical services for all segments of the population. My education is preparing me to serve as a unifying force, facilitating collaboration between diverse stakeholders, including providers, insurers, suppliers, community partners, and patients themselves. By developing cross-functional mastery, I can break down traditional silos and construct a more holistic, integrated model of community-based care delivery. Upon earning my degree, I am eager to apply my skillset and passion for an equitable healthcare system by working in an underserved or disadvantaged community in need of affordable, quality medical services. My goal is to partner with local non-profits, federally qualified health centers, and community health workers to first assess the population's unique challenges and barriers to care. Drawing upon my administration abilities, I will then help design and implement programs tailored to those specific needs, working tirelessly to maximize efficiencies and funding. For instance, I may spearhead an initiative to apply telehealth and remote monitoring technology to extend a health center's reach and deliver preventative services directly to isolated populations with transportation or mobility constraints. Leveraging my analytics background, I can construct data models to identify high-risk patient groups and geographic regions most in need of mobile screenings or community health workers. My supply chain expertise will be invaluable in ensuring the continuous availability of commonly prescribed medications, medical equipment, and other necessary supplies at the lowest possible cost. Effective healthcare extends far beyond just treating acute illnesses; it requires a holistic approach focused on improving overall community wellness through outreach, education, and care coordination. I will employ my cross-functional training to foster impactful public-private partnerships between healthcare facilities, civic organizations, government agencies, schools, and local businesses. For example, I may help construct a coalition to conduct widespread health literacy campaigns or offer free health screenings and consultations at accessible neighborhood hubs like community centers, places of worship, or grocery stores. At the most fundamental level, my motivation stems from a sincere desire to uplift and empower those who have historically faced systemic disadvantages in accessing quality healthcare. I aim to turn my passion into tangible, lasting improvements in community health outcomes and individual well-being. My unique interdisciplinary path will allow me to tackle this complex challenge by bridging gaps between diverse stakeholders and functions. By fusing medical and business acumen with technological innovation, I can revolutionize healthcare delivery through an equitable, preventative, and data-driven lens focused squarely on my community's needs.
    Sustainable Business Scholarship
    As the realities of climate change and environmental degradation become increasingly urgent, businesses of all sizes must prioritize sustainable practices. Implementing strategies to reduce environmental impact is not only the ethical responsibility of the corporate world, but it is also essential for long-term profitability and growth. Younger generations are deeply attuned to environmental issues and make purchasing decisions based on a company's commitment to sustainability. Thus, adopting eco-friendly policies is vital for attracting top talent and retaining customers. Every business, regardless of its industry, leaves a carbon footprint that contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and strains precious natural resources. While the road to complete sustainability is an ongoing journey, companies must take immediate action to curb their environmental toll. Three high-impact eco-friendly practices businesses can implement are reducing energy consumption, minimizing waste, and utilizing renewable resources. One of the simplest yet most effective ways companies can lower their carbon footprint is by reducing overall energy usage through common-sense efficiency measures. Installing LED lighting, using smart thermostats to optimize heating and cooling, and leveraging energy-saving modes on devices can significantly decrease utility costs while reducing reliance on fossil fuel energy sources. Empowering employees to turn off lights and devices when not in use creates an environmentally conscious culture. For businesses with manufacturing operations, transitioning to energy-efficient equipment can yield massive sustainability gains. Another key eco-friendly strategy is minimizing waste generated through comprehensive recycling and composting programs. Businesses should aim to recycle and repurpose as many materials as possible, from paper and plastics to electronics and manufacturing byproducts. Reducing reliance on single-use products in offices and facilities prevents unnecessary waste. Implementing robust recycling practices diverts refuse from landfills while creating potential revenue streams through recycling credits and rebates. Food waste from corporate cafeterias and events can be composted and turned into nutrient-rich fertilizer. Finally, businesses should prioritize the use of renewable resources and integrate sustainability into their supply chains wherever feasible. This includes switching to renewable energy sources like wind and solar for powering facilities, utilizing recycled raw materials in manufacturing, and forging partnerships with eco-conscious vendors and suppliers. A shift toward sustainable sourcing strengthens environmental integrity while often decreasing long-term costs. Many consumers and investors view environmental stewardship as a key deciding factor when choosing which companies to support. By implementing energy efficiency initiatives, waste reduction programs, and renewable resource usage, businesses can dramatically shrink their environmental footprint while better aligning with the values of an increasingly eco-conscious marketplace. As we collectively strive to create a more sustainable world, the responsibility falls on the corporate community to be leaders in the conservation effort. Through bold environmental commitments, companies can spur innovation, strengthen their brand reputation, and ensure long-term viability on a thriving planet. In an era defined by climate consciousness, sustainable business is simply smart business.