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Sofia Vaca

1,645

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Finalist

Bio

My passion is to enhance the standard of care disadvantaged communities like my own receive when they access health care services. I aspire to become a primary care physician that services Latinx communities in an effort to create health consciousness and improve health outcomes. I hope that my journey inspires others. If you don't see her you can't become her.

Education

Molloy College

Bachelor's degree program
2019 - 2022
  • Majors:
    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

Stony Brook University

Master's degree program
2017 - 2019
  • Majors:
    • Public Health

Hofstra University

Bachelor's degree program
2013 - 2017
  • Majors:
    • Psychology, General
    • Biology, General

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
    • Biology, General
    • Psychology, General
  • Planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Medicine

    • Dream career goals:

      Medical Doctor or Nurse practitioner

    • Bilingual Health Educator

      Maurer Foundation for Breast Health Education
      2019 – Present5 years

    Sports

    Soccer

    Varsity
    2011 – 20132 years

    Awards

    • Scholar Athlete Nassau County NY

    Research

    • Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology

      Brookhaven National Laboratory — Research Intern
      2016 – 2017

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Sunrise on Wheels — Pediatric Oncology Volunteer
      2014 – 2020

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Politics

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Entrepreneurship

    White Coat Pending Scholarship
    The welcome sign that one reads when entering Uniondale states that it is a “Global Community”, indeed, it is a town that predominately houses Black and Latinx families. The majority of which have low socioeconomic statuses limiting their ability to prioritize medical treatments or medications over other necessities. Hence, what this sign does not express is that my community faces many health disparities that include the inability to access and afford high-quality medical care. When my mom was laid off her job, she received unemployment compensation that was used to pay the rent of our single bedroom. Unfortunately, when we became sick we had to rely only on homemade remedies. This was an attempt we made to avoid having to spending money on a doctor’s visit which included expensive co-pays and bus fares. Moreover, having to translate for my parents since I was six gave me insight into their everyday struggle and the hardships faced not only by us, but by other immigrant families as well. I remember going to overcrowded health clinics in an attempt to visit a doctor with my parents and experiencing discriminatory comments made by the staff. This lead to our frustration and disappointment. Years later, moments like these still impact my life by affording me the opportunity to realize that there is still an absence of a medical staff that can understand the culture and speak the language of its patients. This lack of a diverse medical staff capable of providing adequate treatment has contributed to a rise in preventable diseases in my community such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. All of which could be prevented with the provision of adequate communication, a sense of understanding, and care of those in the medical field serving these disadvantaged communities. As a nurse, I will contribute to filling this diversity gap by advocating for my community with compassion and empathy.