Meet Natalie...
 Class: 2006
Hometown: Warwick, Rhode Island
Undergrad: College of William and Mary
Major: Psychology
Program: M.D.
Something I have always known is that I wanted to work with and care for young people. Every career I ever considered growing up revolved
around this idea, from teacher to child psychologist. In addition, the sciences have fascinated me from an early age. My high school anatomy and physiology class was the true turning point
that cemented my decision to pursue a career in medicine. At that point, I recognized that being a pediatrician was the perfect way to blend my love for children with my academic interests.
Throughout high school and college I participated in a variety of activities related to my interests. I volunteered in a children’s hospital and in the maternity ward of a community
hospital. I spend time as both a tutor and a mentor for young children. Those same interests have transitioned to similar activities I have pursued in medical school. I became very involved
with a program called Hartford Health Education in my first two years of medical school. This program was designed by medical students to extend health education to sixth graders in the
Hartford Public School system.
My most recent undertaking is developing a health literacy curriculum for the school of medicine. Low literacy is an enormous problem in society that goes unrecognized by many. It is a
better predictor of health status than age, income, employment status, education level, or racial/ethnic group. I am very excited about this project and hope that it can help in making the
next generation of physicians eliminate many of the health status disparities that exist for the low literate.
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“Passionate educators who enjoy teaching make a great learning environment.”
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The University of Connecticut was a perfect fit for me for my medical training for many reasons. I think that there are two things that stand out the most in my mind. The first is the amazing
sense of community within the school. I remember getting that sense on my interview day, watching my student interviewer say hi to everyone who passed by. With a class size of 80, it is easy
to get to know your classmates well. There are many school-sponsored events that promote a sense of unity within and among the classes. In addition, the faculty are wonderful. I have always
felt that they treat the students as colleagues. It seems like everyone here truly loves what they do. Passionate educators who enjoy teaching make a great learning environment.
The other reason that UConn was such as good fit for me was the early clinical exposure. I am someone who learns on my feet and has been eager to start working with patients ever since I
make the decision to become a physician. Within the first few weeks of school, students are paired with a community physician and spend one half-day per week in the physician's office. Through this
program, I have built relationships with families, some of which now span over three years.
My decision to come to the University of Connecticut School of Medicine was one of the best of my life. I have made wonderful friends and learned more than I ever thought possible. The best
part is that I had a great time doing it. |
