Author: pugh.230

Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students

In my second year at OSU, I was elected Service Chair of the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students, or M.A.P.S. This organization aims to better prepare minority students for the competitive process of applying to medical school. We accomplish this by providing opportunities for leadership, professional development, networking, service, as well as MCAT test preparation. This organization is important to the OSU community because it helps increase the amount of minority students pursing medicine. Minorities in the medical field are a necessity in addressing factors such as disparities in health.

As the Service Chair, it is my responsibility to get the general body more involved in the service opportunities MAPS offers so that they may make themselves more competitive among other pre-medical students. In the spring 2020, M.A.P.S. initiated a service partnership with the Columbus Free Clinic in which, as the Service Chair, I was the first M.A.P.S. member to participate in. As a volunteer for the Columbus Free Clinic, I provide Columbus community members who do not have access to or cannot afford healthcare. This partnership will in the futures help M.A.P.S. members in gaining healthcare related volunteer hours, potential shadowing hours, and connections with healthcare professionals. With my experience in the clinic, I have become an advocate for more M.A.P.S. members to get involved especially because representation within the clinic matters, as many of its patients are minorities. 

 

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Theta Chapter

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, is historically the first black sorority. It was founded on January 15th, 1908 on the campus of Howard University. Since then, Alpha Kappa Alpha has chartered 1,024 chapters across the world. Theta Chapter, chartered on February 2nd, 1921 on the campus of The Ohio State University, was the 8th chapter of this organization.

AKA is a service-oriented organization and has allowed me to give back to the greater Columbus community. Being a member of Theta Chapter has encouraged to think more about well-being of my community. Throughout the school year, Theta Chapter primarily serves the Columbus community through drives, such as clothing drives, shoe drives or school supply drives. However, we do also programming for specific causes. This year, we raised money for the Flint Water Crisis, the AKA Historically Black Colleges and universities fund, as well as the Columbus Refugee Relief Fund.

However, what I value the most of my experiences from AKA is the incredible sisterhood that I have found. Not only did I enter the organization with an inspiration group of young women who motivate me to become a better version of myself, but I also get to network with the women who have come before me in the organization. This allows for opportunities for mentorship and professional development.

Freshman Year in Review

This photo was taken at the opening men’s soccer at The Ohio State University. As an event organized by the Biological  Sciences Scholar group, supporting the men’s soccer team represents a greater aspect of my personality: pride. Pride in the organizations or institutions in which I am a part of is essential to my character and motivates me to not only work hard but to improve within them. Additionally, by attending this event I was able to gain a new experience in showing appreciation to an organization that I would not typically find interest. I believe this was beneficial to me in that I learned that just because I do not personally take part in an organization does not mean that it is not important or does not warrant my attention.  This event, like many others, allows those involved in the Biological Scholars program– who likely have similar interests– to meet and make connections. Pictured in the photo are my three roommates and two other friends I have made through BioSci. Attending programs like these helps me too strengthen my pre-existing relationships I have formed through the program, but also foster new ones.

Freshman Year at a Glance

  • Volunteered at Martha Morehouse Outpatient Care Center
  • Volunteered at the Ross Heart Hospital
  • Became a member of the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (M.A.P.S.)
  • Became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Theta Chapter
  • Elected Chaplain of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Theta Chapter
  • Made Dean’s List both semesters

 

Global Awareness

I have developed my Global Awareness so far at Ohio State Primarily trough my classwork. With an intended Spanish minor, I have given myself the best opportunities to excel in the language and find appreciation in the culture. Having been educated in the language from a young age, the decision to continue learning Spanish in my undergraduate studies was instantaneous. At Ohio State, I have been able to take a Spanish Art History Class and a Spanish Literature Class. Both of these course has not only taught me about the incredibly histories of hispanic and latino cultures, but about the origins of their customs and beliefs. I have found a new appreciation for these groups of people, and I deeper love for the language. However, the next step in my journey– and possibly the most important one– will be to study abroad and indulge myself in the Hispanic culture. I believe studying abroad will likely be the most significant experience of my undergraduate career, in that it will give me the opportunity to not only learn more about others but about myself and what I value in the process. Having recently been approved for the OSU STEP fellowship, I hope to be able to have a study abroad experience in the near future.

 

Career

Hello! My name is Courtney Pugh (she/her/hers) and I am a Third Year student at The Ohio State University. I am majoring in Health Sciences on a Pre-Medical Track, with a minor in Biology as well as a minor in Spanish. Currently I am an undergraduate researcher in the Kopp Lab at Nationwide’s Children’s Hospital, which studies the outcomes of Cystic Fibrosis and Sickle Cell Diseases. I hope to one day continue my education by attending Medical School. I believe through my experiences at Ohio State, I have developed the professional and personal skills to tackle such a feat, and any other opportunities that may come along on my journey. Below I have linked my Resume which highlights some of my experiences that have contributed to my professional development, as well as my LinkedIn profile for any career related inquiry. Thank you for visiting my page!

Resume 2020

https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneyspugh/

About Me

Hello! My name is Courtney Pugh and I am a Second Year Student at The Ohio State University. I am pursuing a major in Health Sciences on a Pre-Medicine track, as well as a double minor in Biology and Spanish. I am a Biological Sciences Scholar within the Honors and Scholars Center at OSU. The BioSci Scholars Groups has allowed me to connect with an amazing group of individuals who share similar interests and are all moving toward a greater goal of enriching our college experience through scholarship, service, and friendship.

As for my campus involvement, I am currently the Service Chair for the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students, as well as the Secretary of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated Theta Chapter here at OSU. I am also a part of the programming committee for the National Pan-Hellenic Council and a volunteer at the Columbus Free Clinic. During my second year at Ohio State, I worked as an Office Assistant within Residence Life at Smith- Steeb Hall. Next year I plan to continue my involvement in Residence Life as I venture into my new position as a Resident Advisor.

All of these experiences combined have allowed me to develop my professional skills and foster better communication skills throughout my time at OSU. My experiences have also taught me the importance of giving back to one’s community, in order to make a greater impact by sharing the skills I’ve acquired. This year, I was accepted into the ASPIRE Medical Research Experience at The OSU College Medicine. I look forward to utilizing my personal skills in order to make a difference in the field of Medicine through undergraduate research.

This E-portfolio outlines the many involvements and experiences that have been key in my personal growth and professional development. Through this, you will be able to get a better idea of my interests, goals, and values as a student at The Ohio State University. Go Bucks!