Global Awareness: Students cultivate and develop their appreciation for diversity and each individual’s unique differences. For example, consider course work, study abroad, involvement in cultural organizations or activities, etc .
Original Inquiry: Honors & Scholars students understand the research process by engaging in experiences ranging from in-class scholarly endeavors to creative inquiry projects to independent experiences with top researchers across campus and in the global community. For example, consider research, creative productions or performances, advanced course work, etc.
Academic Enrichment: Interview
2016-2017
I had the pleasure of interviewing the wonderful, goal-driven Brittany Boltz, who is a rising senior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Global Public Health, while also being on the pre-medicine track. When she first started her academic career at the Ohio State University she was initially a chemistry major, but ended up switching to psychology due to her being more interested in the content and applicability to her dream of becoming a Pediatrician for Primary Care. Furthermore, she finds that psychology gives her a well roundness and a slight advantage over other students who might not be familiar with social sciences such as psychology and sociology when taking the MCAT.
During her time spent at the Ohio State University she has amazingly balanced her Resident Advising duties for the past two years (and continuing it into her senior year) while also being a Chimes Junior Class Honorary (Advertisement Chair) and a volunteer at the Wexner Medical Center. She is also currently being inducted into the Mortar Board Senior Class Honorary. With all of these different clubs she’s a part of she has found that she loves being involved in activities outside of the medical field due to it allowing for her to meet different people on different career paths.
All of this amazing work she has done has prepared her to embark on dream career of being a Pediatrician. Before she starts medical school she plans on taking a gap year and completing a master’s in Public Health. Brittany feels that having this master’s in public health will allow her to be the best doctor in the future due to it giving her ability to not only treat patients inside of the office, but give more supportive care outside. Overall Brittany has spent her time at the Ohio State University well by involving herself in many activities, but also maintain a strong academic career.
2017-2018
During Winter Break I was given the amazing opportunity to shadow and interview several family medicine physicians at Saint Joseph’s hospital in Denver, Colorado. The leading physician I mainly shadowed and interviewed was Dr. John Burdick, who attended The University of Colorado Denver for both undergraduate and medical school. After graduating medical school, he then completed his residency at Saint Joseph’s Hospital, where he continues to work now. During his undergraduate years he studied biology and was a teaching assistant. This love for teaching transferred into his future career since now he is not only a family doctor, but also a teaching physician. As a teaching physician, he splits his time in between seeing patients, and teaching medical and resident students on their road to becoming physicians like himself. Additionally, Saint Joseph’s hospital runs a little bit differently than most hospitals since it is a teaching facility, so he also splits his patient interactions between clinic care and hospital care. Overall, this has added greatly to Dr. Burdick’s over 10 years of medical practice, and allowed him to have vast and rounded experiences. I was very grateful to be given such an amazing opportunity to shadow a kind and thoughtful physician, who inspired me even more to continue my career path. Thank You.

Leadership Development: Honors & Scholars students develop leadership skills that can be demonstrated in the classroom, in the community, in their co-curricular activities, and in their future roles in society.

Service Engagement
In my autumn semester of my first year at the Ohio State University I volunteered at the Ohio House Rabbit Rescue for 3 hours. The mission of the Ohio House Rabbit Rescue is a center for rescued/abandoned pet rabbits, and be able to offer adoption for these animals as indoor companions. For those hours there I was able to participate in giving comfort and support to these rabbits, and allow them to grow more comfortable with humans so they are more likely to become adopted in the future. As well I spent my next 7 hours with a student run club on campus called Buckeyes for a Cause. Buckeyes for a Cause goal is to make friendship bracelets and care packages for the children at Nationwide Children’s Hospital here in Columbus Ohio. As well there are volunteering opportunities at Ronald McDonald House.
In my spring semester of my first year at the Ohio State University I volunteer for one hour at Project Downtown. Project Downtown is a student organization that feeds the homeless within the Columbus community by making lunch bags. Another activity I was involved in was volunteering at the Garden of Hope, which is a one of a kind in its nation, where cancer patients, survivors, and family members are able to learn about the connection between health and nutrition. They learn about this by being able to harvest their own vegetables for free from this Garden. This was one of the most meaningful volunteering opportunities I had due to being able to find a new passion, which is gardening and combining it with something close to home. In the future I plan on dedicating more time to the Garden of Hope becomes of its mission of allowing cancer survivors, patients, and family members to harvest their own vegetables and connect with individuals in the same situation as themselves is something really unique and beautiful. Next, I volunteered at the Red Cross Blood drive, which allows people to donate blood in order to save a life. I volunteered here for three hours, and assisted by recruiting, and checking individuals into the blood drive. The last volunteer opportunity I completed was the Ohio Science Olympiad, which is a science competition for middle and high school students on a variety of topics. I specifically worked as a grader and protector for the Astronomy division.