Bettie Lott and Vera Times Public Health Scholarship

Winner Osakwe Majoring in Health Science (Light Of Joy, Amplify Youth) Every morning, I watch my mother carefully measure her blood sugar before eating a single bite of breakfast. Her hands tremble not from age, but from the effects battling diabetes for years. This has become a daily routine in our household, a reminder that diabetes isn’t just a statistic it’s a life changing condition that deeply affects families like mine. In my community, diabetes is more than a diagnosis; it is a growing public health crisis that touches every neighborhood, every family, and every future. Diabetes, especially type 2, is alarmingly common in our community because of a mix of unhealthy access to food, poor healthcare resources, and the lack of healthy living education. Convenience stores outnumber grocery stores, and most families use fast food as their primary source of meals. As a result, obesity levels are high, and physical activity is minimal, particularly among children and teenagers. If not taken care of, this trend will lead to even more cases of diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses that are preventable with the right support and knowledge. To tackle this issue head-on, I would propose the creation of a “Healthy Streets” initiative an outreach program that combines mobile health clinics, free diabetes screenings, and nutrition education directly in the neighborhoods that need them most. These clinics would offer practical tools like glucose monitors, cooking demonstrations, and even free healthy food samples. We’d also partner with local schools to implement interactive health education programs, teaching kids how to make better food choices and develop active habits early on. The goal is to bring resources to the people, rather than waiting for them to come to us. This mission is personal. My mother has struggled with managing her diabetes for years, partially because she did not have access to the resources and education that could have helped her prevent it in the first place. Watching her experience the daily challenges of finger pricks, medication side effects, insulin shots, and dietary restrictions has shown me how overwhelming diabetes can be, especially for older adults on fixed or low incomes. If we could provide families with the things they need to prevent diabetes early, we could save lives and protect futures which is something I deeply wish had been available for my mother when she was younger. Innovation is the key to lasting change. Aside from the mobile clinics, I would suggest rolling out a mobile app. This app would offer individualized meal planning, culturally relevant recipes, reminders for meds, and social network for individuals with diabetes to share tips and encouragement. Technology enables us to meet people where they are, on their phones and serve them at all times. More than clinics and education will be required to end the diabetes crisis; it will take empathy, innovation, and commitment to empowering people with genuine, lasting solutions.

When my family moved to a different state, I stayed behind in Georgia to finish school. It was one of the hardest decisions I ever made, and while I knew it was the best choice for my future, the loneliness and stress took a toll on my mental health. I found myself struggling with anxiety and self-doubt, but like many in my community, I hesitated to talk about it. Mental health isn’t a common topic in my environment—it’s often ignored, misunderstood, or dismissed entirely. Many young people around me are silently battling depression, stress, and anxiety without support. The stigma surrounding mental health is one of the most pressing public health issues in my community, and it’s time we address it. In my school, I’ve noticed that students hesitate to reach out for help, fearing judgment or not knowing where to turn. Many believe that struggling with mental health makes them weak, leading them to suffer in silence. This stigma not only prevents early intervention but also increases the risk of long-term emotional and academic challenges. Without proper support, students facing stress and trauma are more likely to disengage from school, struggle with self-esteem, and even develop more severe mental health conditions. To tackle this issue, I would advocate for mental health education as a core part of the school curriculum. Many students lack the knowledge to identify symptoms of anxiety, depression, or burnout in themselves or their peers. By incorporating lessons on emotional well-being, stress management, and coping strategies, we can normalize these discussions and encourage students to prioritize their mental health. Schools should also provide more accessible counseling services, including peer-led support groups where students can speak openly without fear of judgment. An innovative solution I propose is a mental health mentorship program that pairs students with trained mentors who can provide guidance and support. This program would create a safe space where students can talk about their struggles with someone who understands their experiences. Mentors, whether older students, teachers, or community members, could help normalize conversations about mental health while offering practical advice and emotional support. Additionally, I would develop a mental health mobile app specifically designed for students. This app would provide self-care tips, guided meditation exercises, and an anonymous check-in feature where students can track their emotions and receive personalized support. It would also connect students with professional mental health resources, ensuring that those in crisis have immediate access to help. Addressing mental health stigma isn’t just about raising awareness—it’s about providing real solutions that empower young people to take charge of their well-being. If we can create an environment where students feel safe discussing their mental health, we can reduce the stigma and help them succeed both academically and personally. No one should have to suffer in silence, and with the right support system in place, we can ensure that every student feels seen, heard, and valued.

Growing up in an underserved immigrant community, I witnessed how illnesses like sickle cell disease quietly devastated families. It wasn’t just a condition listed in a textbook. It was real and painful and constant for the people I cared about. It was something that too often went unnoticed by those who had the power to help. One moment in particular changed everything for me. My friend called me from the hospital. His little brother, only eight years old, was in the middle of a sickle cell crisis. He lay in the bed, his small body tense with pain, his mother sitting beside him, holding his hand and doing her best to stay strong. I sat there with them, feeling helpless. I couldn’t do anything to ease his suffering. That helplessness stayed with me and became the reason I chose to act. I started organizing blood drives at my school, focusing on raising awareness and gathering donations in minority communities where the need for compatible blood is highest. I stood in front of classrooms, in libraries, and even in lunchrooms, sharing stories and facts about sickle cell disease. I wanted people to understand what this illness meant and how something as simple as a blood donation could save lives. The response was overwhelming. Watching my classmates line up to donate gave me hope that change is possible when people care enough to show up. Then, things became even more personal. I found out that I carry the sickle cell trait. At first, I didn’t think much of it. I felt fine. But when I learned more, I realized this meant I could one day pass it on to my children. The thought of my own child suffering like my friend’s brother filled me with fear. It made the work I was doing feel even more urgent. It became not just about helping others, but about protecting the future of my own family. To keep pushing this mission forward, I want to create a mobile health awareness program that brings sickle cell education, screenings, and genetic counseling directly into underserved neighborhoods. Many families simply don’t have access to this kind of care or knowledge, and I believe we can change that by going to them. I also want to develop a phone-based tool that reminds patients to take their medicine, go to appointments, and connect with local blood drives. For some families, a simple text message could be the difference between life and danger. I also want to launch a youth-led health ambassador program in local schools, giving students the chance to learn about public health and lead change in their own communities. I know what it feels like to be young and feel powerless. But I also know what it feels like to take action and realize that your voice matters. I want to give that experience to others. Receiving the Bettie Lott and Vera Times Public Health Scholarship would mean more than just financial help. It would be a sign that my work matters, that the lives of people in my community matter. As I study biology and work toward becoming an anesthesiologist, this scholarship would help me stay focused on the mission that drives me. It would let me keep showing up for others while preparing to one day lead in the field of medicine. This is not just about a degree. It’s about healing, hope, and justice. With your support, I can continue to build a future where no child suffers in silence and no community is left behind.

As an immigrant, I have always paid close attention to the challenges people in my community face, especially those related to health. Growing up in an environment where people often lacked access to quality care or resources, I quickly became aware that health isn't just medicine, but also about accessibility, communication and environment. That awareness is what led me to pursue biomedical engineering, where I hope to combine innovation and compassion to address the public health issues I have seen firsthand. One of the most urgent public health issues in my community is youth mental health. Many students at my high school carry heavy emotional burdens, whether it is the stress of academic expectations, financial strain, unstable home lives, or social pressures. Despite these realities, support is extremely limited. Most students do not have consistent access to mental health professionals. School counselors are often overwhelmed, and therapy services outside of school can be expensive or out of reach, especially for low-income or uninsured families. This lack of access leaves many young people without the tools they need to cope, heal, or simply feel heard. I believe that addressing this mental health crisis requires both community engagement and innovative solutions. As a future biomedical engineer, I want to be part of developing technologies and systems that make care more accessible, personal, and effective. To help tackle this issue, I would propose a program called Open Minds, a school-based mental health initiative that brings together students, educators, mental health professionals, and technology. Open Minds would consist of three main parts. First, it would include peer support circles, where trained student leaders work alongside licensed mental health professionals to create safe spaces for open conversation. These circles would meet regularly during or after school and give students a place to talk, connect, and support each other. Second, the program would partner with nearby colleges and universities to bring public health and psychology students into schools to run workshops and activities. These workshops would cover topics like stress management, social media pressure, and emotional resilience. This would not only support high school students but also give college students hands-on experience in community health work. Finally, I would design a mobile app to support mental health outside of meetings. Inspired by the work BeVera Solutions does in workforce data science, this app would offer daily self-care tips, anonymous emotional check-ins, and direct access to mental health resources. It would also allow schools to see general trends (securely and anonymously) so they can better understand student needs and plan support accordingly. This kind of solution, blending human connection with technology, is what excites me most about biomedical engineering. I want to create tools that are practical, personal, and rooted in empathy. Whether I am designing devices that mimic human tissues, digital tools, or support systems, I want my work to reflect the realities of the people who use them. My immigrant experience has shaped my values: resilience, resourcefulness, and a deep sense of responsibility to give back. I carry those values with me as I pursue biomedical engineering and as I work to build healthier, more equitable communities. Receiving this scholarship would help me continue that path and turn those values into lasting impact.