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Ayantu Hajikedir

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Arabic
  • Baking
  • Soccer
  • Travel And Tourism

Reading

  • Biography

I read books multiple times a month.

Bio

I am a University of Washington graduate with a B.S. in Environmental Health and four years of public health experience. My work has focused on improving community well-being and addressing environmental factors that influence health outcomes. Through my volunteer experiences, including hospice care and community health outreach, I have seen how social and environmental barriers shape access to care. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to advancing health equity and inspired my goal of becoming a physician who serves under-resourced communities.

Education

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences

Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

2026 – 2030

Majors:
  • Medicine

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Bachelor's degree program

2017 – 2021

Majors:
  • Public Health

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Majors of interest:
Medicine
Desired degree modality:
In-Person, Full-Time
Medical school interest:
No

Career

  • As a community-based intern at Neighborhood House, I partnered with local organizations to organize workshops and health fairs, providing free medical and dental services to 200+ residents and promoting health education and equity.

    Human Resources · Neighborhood House

    Jan 2018 – Jan 2018

  • As a Health and Environmental Investigator, I analyzed air quality and ventilation data across neighborhoods and led community events educating residents about risks like air pollution, hazardous chemicals, and extreme heat.

    Environmental Services · Public Health Seattle & King County

    Jan 2022 – Jan 2025

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Medicine
Dream career goals:
Cardiologist
Work experience:
5 years
Has nursing license:
No
HCCP Mentoring Program Scholarship
Winner
1) Do you qualify for the AMCAS Fee Assistance Program? (Total family income at or below 400% of the poverty level for your family size) Yes, I qualify for AMCAS Fee Assistance Program 2) What is your approximate total annual family income? My family's annual income is 56,000 3) Please list the highest education level of each of your parent(s) and/or guardian(s) and their occupations. My father has masters degree and he works as Health navigator and my mother's highest educational level is middle school and she is homemaker. Growing up in a small village in Ethiopia, I watched my parents struggle to navigate a healthcare system with limited resources. When I was five, I was diagnosed with tuberculosis. I remember feeling scared, confused, and alone during treatments I didn’t understand. Those early experiences showed me how vulnerable patients can feel and left a lasting impression. I wanted to become a physician who could provide not only medical care but also guidance, understanding, and reassurance, something I wished I had received as a child. Moving to the United States as a teenager brought new challenges, including adapting to a different culture, learning a new language, and finding my place in school. With support from my family and community, I learned resilience, patience, and flexibility, skills that now guide how I connect with people in every aspect of life. My fascination with human biology and early exposure to science deepened my interest in healthcare, shaping a path toward medicine and public health. My understanding of healthcare expanded through research and clinical experiences. During a summer internship studying malaria, I gained hands-on research skills and discussed with my mentor the broader challenges of global health, including access to care and drug resistance. Shadowing physicians at Harborview Medical Center revealed local inequities. Many patients faced language and cultural barriers that limited access to quality care. Interpreting for an Oromo-speaking patient highlighted how understanding a patient’s language and culture can foster trust and improve outcomes. Working as a Health and Environmental Investigator in Seattle reinforced my commitment to community health. I visited over 300 homes, organized workshops on indoor air quality, and translated educational materials into Oromo to ensure underserved families had access to vital resources. These experiences taught me that healthcare is not just about treatment. It is also about advocacy, prevention, and empowering communities to care for themselves. Volunteering with patients at Providence Hospice offered yet another perspective. Sitting with individuals at the end of life, listening to their stories, and offering comfort reminded me that medicine is not only about curing. It is about presence, dignity, and human connection. Sometimes simply holding a hand or sharing a quiet moment matters more than any treatment. These experiences, including research, public health work, clinical shadowing, and hospice volunteering, have shaped my vision of the kind of physician I want to be. I aim to provide care that is not only medically excellent but also equitable, culturally sensitive, and grounded in empathy. I hope to bridge clinical practice with community engagement, addressing both the immediate and systemic factors that affect health. Ultimately, my goal is to help patients and communities thrive, ensuring that healthcare is accessible, compassionate, and just for everyone.
Ayantu Hajikedir Student Profile | Bold.org