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Claudia Matthews

1x

Finalist

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Basketball
  • Golf
  • Track and Field
  • Volunteering
  • STEM

Bio

I am a senior at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School in Columbia, South Carolina, where I am a three-sport athlete, student leader, and aspiring pediatrician. Growing up with an older sister who has complex medical needs has shaped my interest in caring for children and families. I am most passionate about helping children feel cared for and remembered, especially during difficult times. I founded Note Just for You and partnered with my local children's hospital to support siblings of hospitalize children through handwritten notes and care packages. I know what it is like to be the sibling waiting during appointments and treatments, and I wanted other siblings to know they matter too. I have also served as a Junior Counselor and STEM Program Leader with The Ram Foundation, a nonprofit that provides a tuition-free summer enrichment camp for children in underserved communities. I developed and taught hands-on STEM activities to younger children. My long-term goal is to become a pediatrician. I have explored healthcare through Lexington Medical Center's three-week High School Partners Program, with rotations in urgent care, oncology, and internal medicine, as well as shadowing my pediatrician and physical therapist. These experiences have helped me understand the kind of doctor I hope to become. I want to know my patients, make children feel comfortable asking questions, and build strong relationships with their families.

Education

Heathwood Hall Episcopal Sch

High School

2025 – 2027

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Majors of interest:
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
Desired degree modality:
In-Person
Medical school interest:
Yes
English as first language:
Yes
Homeschooled:
No

Career

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Medicine
Dream career goals:
My long-term career goal is to become a pediatrician. I want to care for children not only by treating their medical needs, but also by making sure they feel heard and understood. I hope to build strong relationships with my patients and their families and create an environment where children feel comfortable asking questions and talking about how they feel.
Work experience:
0 years
Has nursing license:
No
Leadership experience:
Yes

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Volunteering
  • Philanthropy
Claudia Matthews Student Profile | Bold.org