I was very excited to be given the opportunity to volunteer at the Wexner Medical Center this year. In high school, I volunteered monthly at a local hospital and knew I wanted to continue this in college. I was assigned to be a student assistant in the endoscopy department and volunteered for 3 hours every week fall semester. My responsibilities included changing linens, cleaning patient rooms, and assisting in other miscellaneous tasks. The staff and patients showed great gratitude for my assistance and I gained greater understanding for need and appreciated for volunteered. While volunteering provided me with a foundation for the operations of a hospital, I would like to become more involved directly with the patients. Many years of hospital volunteering has inspired me to obtain a certificate as a state tested nursing assistant and I hope to become more of an integral part of the hospital team upon certification.
Professional Interview
To fulfill the academic enrichment requirement, I interviewed a family friend, Megan, who is a physician assistant at OrthoNeuro in Westerville. She works in the orthopedic surgery department which involves clinical visits with patients as well as being first assist in the operating room. She was the perfect person to talk to as I plan on attending a physician assistant graduate program and would like to specialize in orthopedics. We discussed her day to day work life as well as her experiences applying to PA school. I found it to be extremely helpful to talk to a young professional because it wasn’t very long ago that she was going through the entire process herself. Megan also told me about her experiences abroad as a physician assistant. She went to Bolivia and the Dominican Republic to provide services to many impoverished communities. This is another opportunity within the profession that I never knew was possible and would love to be involved in. I plan on shadowing Megan in the fall and look forward to hearing more about her experiences and information about the profession.
Year in Review — Year 1
I can’t believe my freshman year of college is so quickly coming to an end! This year has flown by and so much of my life has changed in ways I never expected. In August I came to Ohio State excited to start a new chapter in my life but also very nervous of where it would take me. Health Sciences Scholars helped me immensely in the transition from my small high school to such a large university. Scholars gave me a community, friends, and a home immediately upon arrival at Ohio State. Everyone from my peers to upperclassman to the staff were so welcoming and excited to share this adventure. I came into college undecided on my major only knowing that I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare. With the help of my peers and advisors I have finally decided to declare my major as Exercise Science. I combined my love for working out and desire to help others to pick a major that would both interest me and provide a path to a physician assistant program in graduate school. I feel now that I am excited to go to class because I am genuinely interested in everything that I am learning.
Personally, I feel as if I have grown way more than I ever expected. In high school I had a core group of friends that I had known for years. When we all headed in different directions I was extremely nervous because I tend to be a shy person. I was very intimidated when thinking about coming to a school with thousands and thousands of students. However, upon arrival I saw that everyone was so friendly and had no trouble making friends. Throughout this semester I have definitely moved outside my comfort zone and broken out of my shell. I feel comfortable now trying new things and meeting new people whereas at the beginning of the year I would dread going to the dining hall alone.
My expectations for next year are generally to continue making connections and finding things I love to do. I joined a work out club called CHAARG this semester and plan to continue being a highly active member. I love CHAARG because it motivates all girls to “find their fit” through positivity, laughter, friendship, and hard work. In just one semester, I have made so many meaningful connections with girls just like me working towards their fit goal one day at a time. Academically, I am very excited to continue my classes and work diligently before officially applying to the Exercise Science major next spring. I also am looking forward to the opportunities that will be presented through the HSS and STEP collaboration. Additionally, I am very excited to be a peer mentor for the exploration program in the fall. I hope to inspire freshman to reach outside of their comfort zone and find their home here at Ohio State.
Do.
I have always felt as though exercising is my time to escape and relax by myself which is why I had never been to a fitness class at the RPAC. I’ve always enjoyed running by myself to 
wind down after class or take a break from studying but lately I’ve been longing for some variation. I decided to go to the Simply Strength class at the RPAC because I would like to start incorporating weights into my workout and I LOVED it! I can’t believe I have gone almost a whole year without taking a group class. I am definitely going to make these classes part of my weekly routine next semester. It was such a great opportunity not only to switch up my workout but talk to people with the same hobbies as me.
Go.
Being from Cincinnati and currently living in Columbus, my sister and I love to explore the endless opportunities and adventures available to us here. We attended the 
grand opening of Cycle Bar in Easton where I did my first cycling class. It was one of the most challenging workouts I have ever done but also one of the most fun! I will definitely be attending more classes in the future. After our workout, we went to eat our first smoothie bowls at Alchemy Juice Bar + Cafe. Smoothie bowls are my new obsession! They are nutritious, delicious, and very pretty!
Eat.
On the Saturday of sibs weekend, my roommate and I were trying to think of somewhere cool and exciting to take her little sister. Of course my go-to is food and immediately realized the North Market has a little bit of everything from Columbus. Upon arrival I was very excited when I saw Bubbles the Tea & Juice Company. Many of my friends recommended that I try this fun, new drink called bubble tea. I got a matcha bubble tea which was amazing! I loved the little gelatin balls in the bottom that came up the straw unexpectedly! I would definitely recommend trying a drink from Bubbles and exploring the North Market.
Eat Go Do
Eat: I love to explore all the amazing restaurants in Columbus and try all different kinds of food. I plan on going to the D’licious Cafe to try bubble tea for the first time. I’ve heard great things about it and it just looks like a fun thing to try.
Go: I have plans with my sister to go to the Short North to explore the various food options and shopping. We are going to Bakersfield for tacos and chips and salsa. I always love going to the Short North to look around.
Do: I plan on going to a fitness class at the RPAC for the “do” portion of this project. I like working out but mostly prefer to do it on my own. This class will allow me to move out of my comfort zone and talk to other people that have the same interests as me.
Resume
Welcome to my Honors & Scholars e-Portfolio
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Year in Review
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