I am originally from Chile, & my mother moved my family to the Houston, Texas with hopes of bettering her profession & offering her children a better life. Starting with humble beginnings in the U.S. as a housekeeper, my mom became the true embodiment of the American Dream. Watching my mother’s journey of making a life for ourselves in the U.S. accompanied by my experiences as a Hispanic immigrant motivated me to study public health at Texas A&M University. In the summer of 2024, I had the opportunity to partake in research projects from the Pontifica Universidad Católica de Chile that studied mental illness and substance use (MISU) stigma from healthcare workers in the context of Chilean public health care. MISU is a global phenomenon that has a significant and impactful role in the field of mental health. Approximately a billion people worldwide suffer from mental illness, making mental illness the most common cause of injury and disability globally. A major barrier to recovery for people with mental illness is stigma - a social process that can be characterized by labeling, stereotyping, and separation that can lead to status loss and discrimination. The research studies aimed to investigate how and why medical care providers stigmatized patients who came to public clinics to receive mental health care. The major findings of these studies were that much of the stigma was attributed to a lack of communication & a lack of understanding rooted in biases & prejudices. While this specific research was centered in Chile, mental health stigma is a serious global issue, and the implications of this stud can have worldwide effects. Starting in the fall of 2025, I will begin my master’s in health communication from Boston University where I can develop and strengthen my skills and knowledge as a health communicator to be able to address such complex public health issues. As well as public health, a life passion of mine is swimming. I have had the opportunity to be a student-athlete at Texas A&M University and member of the Chilean National Swim Team, both of which have been truly gratifying experiences. While I am very proud of the accolades I have earned as a swimmer and as a student, I believe the true successes of my life come from the process of reaching my goals and the connections with people made along the way. The process of earning a spot on Texas A&M’s swim team and the Chilean’s National Team while striving for academic excellence was and is marked by decades of daily sacrifices, hard work, and challenges that I have had to overcome. Managing an intensive practice and competition schedule while balancing a full academic courseload has been a great learning and growing experience. Even with such a demanding schedule, I take great pride in knowing that I am in constant pursuit of something greater than myself. As a student-athlete at Texas A&M, I not only represent the university itself but also its core values: respect, integrity, self-less service, loyalty, and excellence. I strive to embody these core values in not only the things I accomplish, but how I accomplish them. This embodiment is reflected in the relationships I build with others and the example I set for future generations. I hope to be able to apply my education, personal experiences, and support to be a part of programs agencies that work to combat disparities and strive towards equity.

I am originally from Chile, & my mother moved my family to the Houston, Texas with hopes of bettering her profession & offering her children a better life. Starting with humble beginnings in the U.S. as a housekeeper, my mom became the true embodiment of the American Dream. Watching my mother’s journey of making a life for ourselves in the U.S. accompanied by my experiences as a Hispanic immigrant motivated me to study public health at Texas A&M University. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention characterizes public health as the interdisciplinary science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities; and the World Health Organization characterizes health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. As such, it is a public health professional’s mission to promote and protect a community’s ability to pursue and achieve their optimal physical, mental, and social health. Individuals’ and communities’ health are largely determined by their social determinants – the conditions of the environment where people live, work, learn, and play. The impact of these social determinants is present throughout the life course and marginalized communities are most vulnerable. People deserve the right to pursue their optimal health regardless of the color of their skin, place of origin, or community there were born and raised in. Currently, I am pursuing both my bachelor’s in public health and master’s in public health epidemiology from Texas A&M’s accelerated program. In the summer of 2024, I had the opportunity to partake in research projects from the Pontifica Universidad Católica de Chile that studied mental illness and substance use (MISU) stigma from healthcare workers in the context of Chilean public health care. MISU is a global phenomenon that has a significant and impactful role in the field of mental health. Approximately a billion people worldwide suffer from mental illness, making mental illness the most common cause of injury and disability globally. Chile, and many other Latin American countries, have some of the highest burdens from mental disorders in the world. A major barrier to recovery for people with mental illness is stigma - a social process that can be characterized by labeling, stereotyping, and separation that can lead to status loss and discrimination. In the context of health facilities stigma towards MISU can compromise the diagnosis, treatment, and optimal health outcomes of these individuals. The research studies aimed to investigate how and why medical care providers stigmatized patients who came to public clinics to receive mental health care. The major findings of these studies were that much of the stigma was attributed to a lack of communication & a lack of understanding rooted in biases & prejudices. While this specific research was centered in Chile, mental health stigma is a serious global issue, and the implications of this stud can have worldwide effects, especially for the Latinx community in the U.S. Starting in the fall of 2025, I will begin my master’s in health communication from Boston University where I can develop and strengthen my skills and knowledge as a health communicator to be able to address such complex public health issues. I am extremely fortunately to be a Hispanic immigrant in the U.S. who is able to pursue higher education in a field that prioritizes and protects the health of communities, especially vulnerable communities. I hope to be able to apply my education, personal experiences, and support to be a part of programs that work to combat disparities and strive towards equity.

I am originally from Chile, & my mother moved my family to the Houston, Texas with hopes of bettering her profession & offering her children a better life. My experiences as a Hispanic immigrant from a single-parent household motivated me to study public health at Texas A&M University. It is a public health professional’s mission to promote and protect a community’s ability to pursue and achieve their optimal physical, mental, and social health. Individuals’ and communities’ health are largely determined by their social determinants – the conditions of the environment where people live, work, learn, and play. The impact of these social determinants is present throughout the life course and marginalized communities are most vulnerable. People deserve the right to pursue their optimal health regardless of the color of their skin, place of origin, or community there were born and raised in. Currently, I am pursuing both my bachelor’s in public health and master’s in public health epidemiology from Texas A&M’s accelerated program. During my time in the program, I have had the opportunity to work on research that studied mental illness & substance abuse stigma from healthcare workers in the context of Chilean public health care. The studies aimed to investigate how and why medical care providers stigmatized patients who came to public clinics to receive mental health care. The major findings of these studies were that much of the stigma was attributed to a lack of communication & a lack of understanding rooted in biases & prejudices. While this specific research was centered in Chile, mental health stigma is a serious global issue, and the implications of this stud can have worldwide effects. After I graduate from Texas A&M in May 2025, I plan to continue my education through Boston University’s online Health Communication master’s program. The health-centered communication skills and knowledge offered by this program will provide me with the opportunity to develop and strengthen my abilities as a health communicator to be able to address such complex social and health issues. My background in public health has helped me to appreciate how our built, social, political, and physical environment impacts our ability to survive, thrive, and truly make something of ourselves in this world. As well as public health, a life passion of mine is swimming. I have had the opportunity to be a student-athlete at Texas A&M University and member of the Chilean National Swim Team, both of which have been truly gratifying experiences. While I am very proud of the accolades I have earned as a swimmer and as a student, I believe the true successes of my life come from the process of reaching my goals and the connections with people made along the way. I take great pride in knowing that I am in constant pursuit of something greater than myself. As a student-athlete at Texas A&M, I not only represent the university itself but also its core values: respect, integrity, self-less service, loyalty, and excellence. I strive to embody these core values in not only the things I accomplish, but how I accomplish them. This embodiment is reflected in the relationships I build with others and the example I set for future generations. I am extremely fortunately to be a Hispanic immigrant in the U.S. who is able to pursue higher education in a field that prioritizes and protects the health of communities, especially vulnerable communities. I hope to be able to apply my education, personal experiences, and support to be a part of programs that work to combat disparities and strive towards equity.

I am originally from Chile, & my mother moved my family to Houston, Texas with hopes of bettering her profession & offering her children a better life. My experiences as a Hispanic immigrant from a single-parent household motivated me to study public health at Texas A&M University. It is a public health professional’s mission to promote and protect a community’s ability to pursue and achieve their optimal physical, mental, and social health. Individuals’ and communities’ health are largely determined by their social determinants – the conditions of the environment where people live, work, learn, and play. The impact of these social determinants is present throughout the life course, and marginalized communities are most vulnerable. People deserve the right to pursue their optimal health regardless of the color of their skin, place of origin, or community there were born and raised in. Currently, I am pursuing both my bachelor’s in public health and master’s in public health epidemiology from Texas A&M’s accelerated program. During my time in the program, I have had the opportunity to work on research that studied mental illness & substance abuse stigma from healthcare workers in the context of Chilean public health care. The studies aimed to investigate how and why medical care providers stigmatized patients who came to public clinics to receive mental health care. The major findings of these studies were that much of the stigma was attributed to a lack of communication & a lack of understanding rooted in biases & prejudices. While this specific research was centered in Chile, mental health stigma is a serious global issue, and the implications of this stud can have worldwide effects. After I graduate from Texas A&M in May 2025, I plan to continue my education through Boston University’s online Health Communication master’s program. The health-centered communication skills and knowledge offered by this program will provide me with the opportunity to develop and strengthen my abilities as a health communicator to be able to address such complex social and health issues. My background in public health has helped me to appreciate how our built, social, political, and physical environment impacts our ability to survive, thrive, and truly make something of ourselves in this world. As well as public health, a life passion of mine is swimming. I have had the opportunity to be a student-athlete at Texas A&M University and member of the Chilean National Swim Team, both of which have been truly gratifying experiences. While I am very proud of the accolades I have earned as a swimmer and as a student, I believe the true successes of my life come from the process of reaching my goals and the connections with people made along the way. I take great pride in knowing that I am in constant pursuit of something greater than myself. As a student-athlete at Texas A&M, I not only represent the university itself but also its core values: respect, integrity, self-less service, loyalty, and excellence. I strive to embody these core values in not only the things I accomplish, but how I accomplish them. This embodiment is reflected in the relationships I build with others and the example I set for future generations. I am extremely fortunately to be a Hispanic immigrant in the U.S. who is able to pursue higher education in a field that prioritizes and protects the health of communities, especially vulnerable communities. I hope to be able to apply my education, personal experiences, and support to be a part of public health agencies and programs that work to combat disparities and strive towards equity.

I am originally from Chile, & my mother moved my family to Houston, Texas with hopes of bettering her profession & offering her children a better life. My experiences as a Hispanic immigrant from a single-parent household motivated me to study public health at Texas A&M University. It is a public health professional’s mission to promote and protect a community’s ability to pursue and achieve their optimal physical, mental, and social health. Individuals’ and communities’ health are largely determined by their social determinants – the conditions of the environment where people live, work, learn, and play. The impact of these social determinants is present throughout the life course, and marginalized communities are most vulnerable. People deserve the right to pursue their optimal health regardless of the color of their skin, place of origin, or community there were born and raised in. Currently, I am pursuing both my bachelor’s in public health and master’s in public health epidemiology from Texas A&M’s accelerated program. During my time in the program, I have had the opportunity to work on research that studied mental illness & substance abuse stigma from healthcare workers in the context of Chilean public health care. The studies aimed to investigate how and why medical care providers stigmatized patients who came to public clinics to receive mental health care. The major findings of these studies were that much of the stigma was attributed to a lack of communication & a lack of understanding rooted in biases & prejudices. While this specific research was centered in Chile, mental health stigma is a serious global issue, and the implications of this stud can have worldwide effects. After I graduate from Texas A&M in May 2025, I plan to continue my education through Boston University’s online Health Communication master’s program. The health-centered communication skills and knowledge offered by this program will provide me with the opportunity to develop and strengthen my abilities as a health communicator to be able to address such complex social and health issues. My background in public health has helped me to appreciate how our built, social, political, and physical environment impacts our ability to survive, thrive, and truly make something of ourselves in this world. As well as public health, a life passion of mine is swimming. I have had the opportunity to be a student-athlete at Texas A&M University and member of the Chilean National Swim Team, both of which have been truly gratifying experiences. While I am very proud of the accolades I have earned as a swimmer and as a student, I believe the true successes of my life come from the process of reaching my goals and the connections with people made along the way. I take great pride in knowing that I am in constant pursuit of something greater than myself. As a student-athlete at Texas A&M, I not only represent the university itself but also its core values: respect, integrity, self-less service, loyalty, and excellence. I strive to embody these core values in not only the things I accomplish, but how I accomplish them. This embodiment is reflected in the relationships I build with others and the example I set for future generations. I am extremely fortunately to be a Hispanic immigrant in the U.S. who is able to pursue higher education in a field that prioritizes and protects the health of communities, especially vulnerable communities. I hope to be able to apply my education, personal experiences, and support to be a part of programs that work to combat disparities and strive towards equity.

I am originally from Chile, & my mother moved my family to the Houston, Texas with hopes of bettering her profession & offering her children a better life. My experiences as a Hispanic immigrant from a single-parent household motivated me to study public health at Texas A&M University. It is a public health professional’s mission to promote and protect a community’s ability to pursue and achieve their optimal physical, mental, and social health. Individuals’ and communities’ health are largely determined by their social determinants – the conditions of the environment where people live, work, learn, and play. The impact of these social determinants is present throughout the life course and marginalized communities are most vulnerable. People deserve the right to pursue their optimal health regardless of the color of their skin, place of origin, or community there were born and raised in. Currently, I am pursuing both my bachelor’s in public health and master’s in public health epidemiology from Texas A&M’s accelerated program. During my time in the program, I have had the opportunity to work on research that studied mental illness & substance abuse stigma from healthcare workers in the context of Chilean public health care. The studies aimed to investigate how and why medical care providers stigmatized patients who came to public clinics to receive mental health care. The major findings of these studies were that much of the stigma was attributed to a lack of communication & a lack of understanding rooted in biases & prejudices. While this specific research was centered in Chile, mental health stigma is a serious global issue, and the implications of this stud can have worldwide effects. After I graduate from Texas A&M in May 2025, I plan to continue my education through Boston University’s online Health Communication master’s program. The health-centered communication skills and knowledge offered by this program will provide me with the opportunity to develop and strengthen my abilities as a health communicator to be able to address such complex social and health issues. My background in public health has helped me to appreciate how our built, social, political, and physical environment impacts our ability to survive, thrive, and truly make something of ourselves in this world. As well as public health, a life passion of mine is swimming. I have had the opportunity to be a student-athlete at Texas A&M University and member of the Chilean National Swim Team, both of which have been truly gratifying experiences. While I am very proud of the accolades I have earned as a swimmer and as a student, I believe the true successes of my life come from the process of reaching my goals and the connections with people made along the way. I take great pride in knowing that I am in constant pursuit of something greater than myself. As a student-athlete at Texas A&M, I not only represent the university itself but also its core values: respect, integrity, self-less service, loyalty, and excellence. I strive to embody these core values in not only the things I accomplish, but how I accomplish them. This embodiment is reflected in the relationships I build with others and the example I set for future generations. I am extremely fortunately to be a Hispanic immigrant in the U.S. who is able to pursue higher education in a field that prioritizes and protects the health of communities, especially vulnerable communities. I hope to be able to apply my education, personal experiences, and support to be a part of programs that work to combat disparities and strive towards equity.

In 2006, my family to the U.S. from Chile with hopes of pursuing a better life. After two years in the U.S., my mom divorced my father to protect her children and herself. Despite the economic, emotional, and social hardships my mom knew she would experience as an immigrant, single parent with two young children, she knew there was no other option. With humble beginnings in the U.S. as a housekeeper, my mom became the true embodiment of the American Dream. Before coming to the U.S., my mom was a very well-respected member of her Chilean community. She had decided to move to the U.S. to find more opportunities in the field of medicine and be a part of the technological advances that were happening in the U.S. during that time. Unfortunately, many of her qualifications became void when she moved to Texas because she received her medical training and schooling in Chile. Thus, my mom embarked on the journey of regaining her titles, which included retaking classes, completing multiple residencies, and studying and scoring on many national qualifying exams. She was able to not only complete, but also excel, in her professional career from housekeeper to physician, all while raising two young children on her own in an environment she was unfamiliar with herself. Even though there were many nights that my mom spent away studying, holidays my brother and I spent with the nanny, and times I felt that our non-traditional family never really “fit in” our community, I always felt unconditional love and support from my mom. She showed me that relationships are not quantified by hours spent together, but by how people make you feel and the memories you make together. My mom is my role model – but “role model” simply does not fully capture the deep admiration, respect, and love I have for her. When she came to the U.S., became a single mother, and pursued a rigorous career, she knew that the mountain in front of her would be arduous and long; but she did it anyway. In times of hardship, she stayed grounded in her “why” – she was pursuing a better life for her family. My mom showed me that it doesn’t matter how many people, signs, or conventions are telling you “No” because the only voice, the only opinion that matters in influencing your ability to achieve something is your own. I have used this same mentality, with my mom as an example, to lead a life driven by hard work, integrity, and purpose. Watching my mother’s journey of making a life for ourselves in the U.S. accompanied by my experiences as a Hispanic immigrant motivated me to study public health at Texas A&M University. Public health as the interdisciplinary science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities; and it is a public health professional’s mission to promote and protect a community’s ability to pursue and achieve their optimal physical, mental, and social health. This scholarship would allow me to continue my education by pursuing my master’s in health communication from Boston University, starting in fall 2025. I aspire to work in a public health government agency with the intention of focusing my efforts to protect & support vulnerable populations. The purpose of pursuing my master’s in health communication is to develop and strengthen my abilities as a health communicator to be able to address complex social and health issues.

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I am originally from Chile, & my mother moved my family to the Houston, Texas with hopes of bettering her profession & offering her children a better life. Starting with humble beginnings in the U.S. as a housekeeper, my mom became the true embodiment of the American Dream. Watching my mother’s journey of making a life for ourselves in the U.S. accompanied by my experiences as a Hispanic immigrant motivated me to study public health at Texas A&M University. In the summer of 2024, I had the opportunity to partake in research projects from the Pontifica Universidad Católica de Chile that studied mental illness and substance use (MISU) stigma from healthcare workers in the context of Chilean public health care. MISU is a global phenomenon that has a significant and impactful role in the field of mental health. Approximately a billion people worldwide suffer from mental illness, making mental illness the most common cause of injury and disability globally. A major barrier to recovery for people with mental illness is stigma - a social process that can be characterized by labeling, stereotyping, and separation that can lead to status loss and discrimination. The research studies aimed to investigate how and why medical care providers stigmatized patients who came to public clinics to receive mental health care. The major findings of these studies were that much of the stigma was attributed to a lack of communication & a lack of understanding rooted in biases & prejudices. While this specific research was centered in Chile, mental health stigma is a serious global issue, and the implications of this stud can have worldwide effects. Starting in the fall of 2025, I will begin my master’s in health communication from Boston University where I can develop and strengthen my skills and knowledge as a health communicator to be able to address such complex public health issues. As well as public health, a life passion of mine is swimming. I have had the opportunity to be a student-athlete at Texas A&M University and member of the Chilean National Swim Team, both of which have been truly gratifying experiences. While I am very proud of the accolades I have earned as a swimmer and as a student, I believe the true successes of my life come from the process of reaching my goals and the connections with people made along the way. The process of earning a spot on Texas A&M’s swim team and the Chilean’s National Team while striving for academic excellence was and is marked by decades of daily sacrifices, hard work, and challenges that I have had to overcome. Managing an intensive practice and competition schedule while balancing a full academic course load has been a great learning and growing experience. Even with such a demanding schedule, I take great pride in knowing that I am in constant pursuit of something greater than myself. As a student-athlete at Texas A&M, I not only represent the university itself but also its core values: respect, integrity, self-less service, loyalty, and excellence. I strive to embody these core values in not only the things I accomplish, but how I accomplish them. This embodiment is reflected in the relationships I build with others and the example I set for future generations. I hope to be able to apply my education, personal experiences, and support to be a part of programs agencies that work to combat disparities and strive towards equity.

I am originally from Chile, & my mother moved my family to the Houston, Texas with hopes of bettering her profession & offering her children a better life. Starting with humble beginnings in the U.S. as a housekeeper, my mom became the true embodiment of the American Dream. After many long days of work, studying, and solo parenting, she was able to accomplish her dreams of becoming a practicing physician in the U.S. Watching my mother’s journey to becoming a doctor in the U.S. accompanied by my experiences as a Hispanic immigrant motivated me to study public health at Texas A&M University. In both Chile & the U.S., I have experienced how the spectrum of social determinants can influence health & quality of life. As a first-generation Hispanic in the United States, many of my personal experiences are filled with beautiful moments of learning and appreciation; however, many of my experiences have also been saturated with structural challenges and disparities. There have been many times when my family has been overlooked for opportunities simply because of the color of our skin and Hispanic background. It was not until I began my studies in public health at Texas A&M that I fully began to understand and appreciate how our built, social, political, and physical environment impacts our ability to survive, thrive, and truly make something of ourselves in this world. In the summer of 2024, I had the opportunity to partake in research projects from the Pontifica Universidad Católica de Chile that studied mental illness and substance use (MISU) stigma from healthcare workers in the context of Chilean public health care. MISU is a global phenomenon that has a significant and impactful role in the field of mental health. Approximately a billion people worldwide suffer from mental illness, making mental illness the most common cause of injury and disability globally. Chile, and many other Latin American countries, have some of the highest burdens from mental disorders in the world. A major barrier to recovery for people with mental illness is stigma - a social process that can be characterized by labeling, stereotyping, and separation that can lead to status loss and discrimination. In the context of health facilities stigma towards MISU can compromise the diagnosis, treatment, and optimal health outcomes of these individuals. The research studies aimed to investigate how and why medical care providers stigmatized patients who came to public clinics to receive mental health care. The major findings of these studies were that much of the stigma was attributed to a lack of communication & a lack of understanding rooted in biases & prejudices. While this specific research was centered in Chile, mental health stigma is a serious global issue, and the implications of this stud can have worldwide effects, especially for the Latinx community in the U.S. Starting in the fall of 2025, I will begin my master’s in health communication from Boston University where I can develop and strengthen my skills and knowledge as a health communicator to be able to address such complex public health issues. I am extremely fortunately to be a Hispanic immigrant in the U.S. who is able to pursue higher education in a field that prioritizes and protects the health of communities, especially vulnerable communities. I hope to be able to apply my education, personal experiences, and support to be a part of programs that work to combat disparities and strive towards equity.

I am originally from Chile, & my mother moved my family to the Houston, Texas with hopes of bettering her profession & offering her children a better life. Starting with humble beginnings in the U.S. as a housekeeper, my mom became the true embodiment of the American Dream. After many long days of work, studying, and solo parenting, she was able to accomplish her dreams of becoming a practicing physician in the U.S. Watching my mother’s journey to becoming a doctor in the U.S. accompanied by my experiences as a Hispanic immigrant motivated me to study public health at Texas A&M University. In both Chile & the U.S., I have experienced how the spectrum of social determinants can influence health & quality of life. In the summer of 2024, I had the opportunity to partake in research projects from the Pontifica Universidad Católica de Chile that studied mental illness and substance use (MISU) stigma from healthcare workers in the context of Chilean public health care. MISU is a global phenomenon that has a significant and impactful role in the field of mental health. Approximately a billion people worldwide suffer from mental illness, making mental illness the most common cause of injury and disability globally. Chile, and many other Latin American countries, have some of the highest burdens from mental disorders in the world. A major barrier to recovery for people with mental illness is stigma - a social process that can be characterized by labeling, stereotyping, and separation that can lead to status loss and discrimination. In the context of health facilities stigma towards MISU can compromise the diagnosis, treatment, and optimal health outcomes of these individuals. The research studies aimed to investigate how and why medical care providers stigmatized patients who came to public clinics to receive mental health care. The major findings of these studies were that much of the stigma was attributed to a lack of communication & a lack of understanding rooted in biases & prejudices. While this specific research was centered in Chile, mental health stigma is a serious global issue, and the implications of this stud can have worldwide effects, especially for the Latinx community in the U.S. Starting in the fall of 2025, I will begin my master’s in health communication from Boston University where I can develop and strengthen my skills and knowledge as a health communicator to be able to address such complex public health issues. I am extremely fortunately to be a Hispanic immigrant in the U.S. who is able to pursue higher education in a field that prioritizes and protects the health of communities, especially vulnerable communities. I hope to be able to apply my education, personal experiences, and support to be a part of programs that work to combat disparities and strive towards equity.

I am originally from Chile, & my mother moved my family to the Houston, Texas with hopes of bettering her profession & offering her children a better life. My experiences as a Hispanic immigrant from a single-parent household motivated me to study public health at Texas A&M University. It is a public health professional’s mission to promote and protect a community’s ability to pursue and achieve their optimal physical, mental, and social health. Individuals’ and communities’ health are largely determined by their social determinants – the conditions of the environment where people live, work, learn, and play. The impact of these social determinants is present throughout the life course and marginalized communities are most vulnerable. People deserve the right to pursue their optimal health regardless of the color of their skin, place of origin, or community there were born and raised in. Currently, I am pursuing both my bachelor’s in public health and master’s in public health epidemiology from Texas A&M’s accelerated program. During my time in the program, I have had the opportunity to work on research that studied mental illness & substance abuse stigma from healthcare workers in the context of Chilean public health care. The studies aimed to investigate how and why medical care providers stigmatized patients who came to public clinics to receive mental health care. The major findings of these studies were that much of the stigma was attributed to a lack of communication & a lack of understanding rooted in biases & prejudices. While this specific research was centered in Chile, mental health stigma is a serious global issue, and the implications of this stud can have worldwide effects. After I graduate from Texas A&M in May 2025, I plan to continue my education through Boston University’s online Health Communication master’s program. The health-centered communication skills and knowledge offered by this program will provide me with the opportunity to develop and strengthen my abilities as a health communicator to be able to address such complex social and health issues. My background in public health has helped me to appreciate how our built, social, political, and physical environment impacts our ability to survive, thrive, and truly make something of ourselves in this world. As well as public health, a life passion of mine is swimming. I have had the opportunity to be a student-athlete at Texas A&M University and member of the Chilean National Swim Team, both of which have been truly gratifying experiences. While I am very proud of the accolades I have earned as a swimmer and as a student, I believe the true successes of my life come from the process of reaching my goals and the connections with people made along the way. The process of earning a spot on Texas A&M’s swim team and the Chilean’s National Team while striving for academic excellence was and is marked by decades of daily sacrifices, hard work, and challenges that I have had to overcome. Managing an intensive practice and competition schedule while balancing a full academic courseload has been a great learning and growing experience. Even with such a demanding schedule, I take great pride in knowing that I am in constant pursuit of something greater than myself. As a student-athlete at Texas A&M, I not only represent the university itself but also its core values: respect, integrity, self-less service, loyalty, and excellence. I strive to embody these core values in not only the things I accomplish, but how I accomplish them. This embodiment is reflected in the relationships I build with others and the example I set for future generations.

I am originally from Chile, & my mother moved my family to the Houston, Texas with hopes of bettering her profession & offering her children a better life. Starting with humble beginnings in the U.S. as a housekeeper, my mom became the true embodiment of the American Dream. After many long days of work, studying, and solo parenting, she was able to accomplish her dreams of becoming a practicing physician in the U.S. Watching my mother’s journey to becoming a doctor in the U.S. accompanied by my experiences as a Hispanic immigrant motivated me to study public health at Texas A&M University. Although the U.S. has provided my family with a multitude of advancement opportunities, growing up in an immigrant, single-parent household did present its own set of challenges. In both Chile & the U.S., I experienced how the spectrum of social determinants can influence health & quality of life. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention characterizes public health as the interdisciplinary science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities; and the World Health Organization characterizes health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. As such, it is a public health professional’s mission to promote and protect a community’s ability to pursue and achieve their optimal physical, mental, and social health. Individuals’ and communities’ health are largely determined by their social determinants – the conditions of the environment where people live, work, learn, and play. The impact of these social determinants is present throughout the life course and marginalized communities are most vulnerable. People deserve the right to pursue their optimal health regardless of the color of their skin, place of origin, or community there were born and raised in. Currently, I am pursuing both my bachelor’s in public health and master’s in public health epidemiology from Texas A&M’s accelerated program. During my time in the program, I have had the opportunity to work on research that studied mental illness & substance abuse stigma from healthcare workers in the context of Chilean public health care. The studies aimed to investigate how and why medical care providers stigmatized patients who came to public clinics to receive mental health care. The major findings of these studies were that much of the stigma was attributed to a lack of communication & a lack of understanding rooted in biases & prejudices. While this specific research was centered in Chile, mental health stigma is a serious global issue, and the implications of this stud can have worldwide effects. After I graduate from Texas A&M in May 2025, I plan to continue my education through Boston University’s online Health Communication master’s program. The health-centered communication skills and knowledge offered by this program will provide me with the opportunity to develop and strengthen my abilities as a health communicator to be able to address such complex social and health issues. My background in public health has helped me to appreciate how our built, social, political, and physical environment impacts our ability to survive, thrive, and truly make something of ourselves in this world. I am extremely fortunately to be a Hispanic immigrant in the U.S. who is able to pursue higher education in a field that prioritizes and protects the health of communities, especially vulnerable communities. I hope to be able to apply my education, personal experiences, and support to be a part of programs and public health agencies that work to combat disparities and strive towards equity.

In 2006, my family to the U.S. from Chile with hopes of pursuing a better life. After two years in the U.S., my mom divorced my father to protect her children and herself. Despite the economic, emotional, and social hardships my mom knew she would experience as an immigrant, single parent with two young children, she knew there was no other option. With humble beginnings in the U.S. as a housekeeper, my mom became the true embodiment of the American Dream. Before coming to the U.S., my mom was a very well-respected member of her Chilean community. She had decided to move to the U.S. to find more opportunities in the field of medicine and be a part of the technological advances that were happening in the U.S. during that time. Unfortunately, many of her qualifications became void when she moved to Texas because she received her medical training and schooling in Chile. Thus, my mom embarked on the journey of regaining her titles, which included retaking classes, completing multiple residencies, and studying and scoring on many national qualifying exams. She was able to not only complete, but also excel, in her professional career from housekeeper to physician all while raising two young children on her own in an environment she was unfamiliar with herself. Even though there were many nights that my mom spent away studying, holidays my brother and I spent with babysitters, and times I felt that our non-traditional family never really “fit in” our community, I always felt unconditional love and support from my mom. She showed me that relationships are not quantified by hours spent together, but by how people make you feel and the memories you make together. My mom is my role model – but “role model” simply does not fully capture the deep admiration, respect, and love I have for her. When she came to the U.S., became a single mother, and pursued a rigorous career, she knew that the mountain in front of her would be arduous and long; but she did it anyway. In times of hardship, she stayed grounded in her “why” – she was pursuing a better life for her family. My mom showed me that it doesn’t matter how many people, signs, or conventions are telling you “No” because the only voice, the only opinion that matters in influencing your ability to achieve something is your own. I have used this same mentality, with my mom as an example, to lead a life driven by hard work, integrity, and purpose. The fruits of both my own and my mom’s labor are seen in the accomplishments of my academic and athletic careers. Currently, I am a student-athlete at Texas A&M University, where I am pursuing an accelerated program in which I will be earning both my bachelor’s degree in public health and master’s in public health epidemiology this May 2025. In addition to swimming at Texas A&M, I am also a member of the Chilean National Team. I have had the opportunity to travel across the world representing Chile at the World Championships, South American Games, Pan American Games, and many other international competitions. This scholarship would allow me to pursue my master’s in health communication from Boston University, starting in fall 2025. I aspire to work in a public health government agency with the intention of focusing my efforts to protect & support vulnerable populations. The purpose of pursuing my master’s in health communication is to develop and strengthen my abilities as a health communicator to be able to address complex social and health issues.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention characterizes public health as the interdisciplinary science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities. According to the World Health Organization, health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. As such, it is a public health professional’s mission to promote and protect a community’s ability to pursue and achieve their optimal physical, mental, and social health. Individuals’ and communities’ health are largely determined by their social determinants – the conditions of the environment where people live, work, learn, and play. The impact of these social determinants is present throughout the life course, and marginalized communities are most vulnerable. People deserve the right to pursue their optimal health regardless of the color of their skin, place of origin, or community there were born and raised in. It is important that individuals who are a part of the programs and resources that are meant to mitigate these inequities truly understand the root of the problem and are able to connect with their constituents to provide equitable, appropriate, and empowering aid and care. I am originally from Chile, & my mother moved my family to Houston, Texas with hopes of bettering her profession & offering her children a better life. Starting with humble beginnings in the U.S. as a housekeeper, my mom became the true embodiment of the American Dream. After many long days of work, studying, and solo parenting, she was able to accomplish her dreams of becoming a practicing physician in the U.S. Watching my mother’s journey to becoming a doctor in the U.S. accompanied by my experiences as a Hispanic immigrant motivated me to study public health at Texas A&M University. Currently, I am pursuing both my bachelor’s in public health and master’s in public health epidemiology from Texas A&M’s accelerated program. During my time in the program, I have had the opportunity to work on research that studied mental illness & substance abuse stigma from healthcare workers in the context of Chilean public health care. The studies aimed to investigate how and why medical care providers stigmatized patients who came to public clinics to receive mental health care. The major findings of these studies were that much of the stigma was attributed to a lack of communication & a lack of understanding rooted in biases & prejudices. While this specific research was centered in Chile, mental health stigma is a serious global issue, and the implications of this stud can have worldwide effects. After I graduate from Texas A&M in May 2025, I plan to continue my education through Boston University’s online Health Communication master’s program. The health-centered communication skills and knowledge offered by this program will provide me with the opportunity to develop and strengthen my abilities as a health communicator to be able to address such complex social and health issues. My studies in public health at Texas A&M have helped me to appreciate how our built, social, political, and physical environment impacts our ability to survive, thrive, and truly make something of ourselves in this world. I am extremely fortunately to be a Hispanic immigrant in the U.S. who is able to pursue higher education in a field that prioritizes and protects the health of communities, especially vulnerable communities. I hope to be able to apply my education, personal experiences, and support to be a part of programs that work to combat disparities and strive towards equity.

Coming from a single-parent, immigrant household, I grew up idolizing the concept of “success.” My mother had moved my brother and I to the U.S. from Chile with hopes of providing a better life for our family. With humble beginnings in the U.S. as a housekeeper, my mom became the true embodiment of the American Dream. With many long days of work, studying, and solo parenting, she was able to accomplish her dreams of becoming a practicing physician in the U.S. With my mom as my role model, I developed a very grounded understanding in what it took to achieve success. When I reflect on my life’s “successes” two major areas of my life come to mind: my academic career and my swimming career. Currently, I am a senior, student-athlete at Texas A&M University, where I am pursuing an accelerated program in which I will be earning both my bachelor’s degree in public health and master’s in public health epidemiology this May 2025. Academically, my role as a student-athlete is distinguished by accomplishments of making the Dean’s list, excellence awards, Southern Eastern Conference honor rolls, university athletic director honor rolls, published articles, research projects, etc. In addition to swimming at Texas A&M, where I have competed at conference and national championships, I am also a member of the Chilean National Team. I have had the opportunity to travel across the world representing my country at the World Championships, South American Games, Pan American Games, and many other international competitions. While I am very proud of the accolades I have earned as a swimmer and as a student, I believe the true successes of my life come from the process of reaching my goals and the connections with people made along the way. The process of earning a spot on Texas A&M University’s swim team and the Chilean’s National Team while striving for academic excellence was and is marked by decades of daily sacrifices, hard work, and challenges that I have had to overcome. Managing 6 AM practices, weight sessions, injury rehab, days with double practices, and traveling for competitions, all while balancing a full academic course load, has not been a simple task. Even with such a demanding schedule, I take great pride and feel a great sense of accomplishment knowing that I am in constant pursuit of something greater than myself. As a student-athlete at Texas A&M, I have had the great honor to not only represent the university itself but also its core values: respect, integrity, self-less service, loyalty, and excellence. I strive to embody these core values in not only the things I accomplish, but how I accomplish them. This embodiment is reflected in the support I show my classmates and teammates, the relationships I have built with my coaches and professors, and the example I set for future generations. I hope the legacy of my success is not strictly defined by the things I have done, but more importantly, the impact I have had on others. I hope to be remembered for the times I made someone feel seen, the times I encouraged and empowered others, and the times I made other people believe in themselves. We may not remember an exact anthology of all the things we have accomplished in life, but we will remember the relationships we have built with others and how we felt along the way. Starting in the fall of 2025, I will be returning to Chile to continue my career as a swimmer while pursuing my master’s in health communication from Boston University. Swimming is one of my life’s passions, and I feel incredibly blessed and honored to have the opportunity and support from my family, friends, and coaches to continue to devote myself to the sport. Professionally speaking, I aspire to work in a public health government agency, such as the CDC or the Chilean Ministry of Health, with the intention of focusing on my efforts to protect & support vulnerable populations. I've had the opportunity to work on research that studies mental illness & substance abuse stigma from healthcare workers in the context of Chilean public health care. The purpose of pursuing my master’s in health communication is to be able to gain health-centered communication skills and knowledge that will provide me with the opportunity to develop and strengthen my abilities as a health communicator to be able to address such complex social and health issues. If selected for this opportunity, not only would it provide a tremendous amount of relief for my family, allowing me to pursue my dreams, but I hope it could show others that no matter where you come from, there is no limit on what you can achieve in life.

I am Sarah Szklaruk Traipe, a first-generation immigrant from Santiago, Chile, and I am currently pursuing my bachelor’s and master’s degree in public health at Texas A&M University. My family immigrated to Houston, Texas in 2006, where my single-mom, brother, and I have made a life for ourselves. Although the small community I grew up in was predominately white, Houston is an extremely diverse city that truly is a melting pot of cultures and people. As a first-generation Hispanic in the United States, many of my personal experiences are filled with beautiful moments of learning and appreciation; however, many of my experiences have also been saturated with structural challenges and disparities. There have been many times when my family has been overlooked for opportunities simply because of the color of our skin and Hispanic background. It was not until I began my studies in public health at Texas A&M that I fully began to understand and appreciate how our built, social, political, and physical environment impacts our ability to survive, thrive, and truly make something of ourselves in this world. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention characterizes public health as the interdisciplinary science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities. According to the World Health Organization, health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. As such, it is a public health professional’s mission to promote and protect a community’s ability to pursue and achieve their optimal physical, mental, and social health. Individuals’ and communities’ health are largely determined by their social determinants – the conditions of the environment where people live, work, learn, and play. Examples of social determinants that are integrated in the fields of urban planning and economics include access to affordable housing, employment, access to healthy foods, safe and clean housing, transportation, crime, green space, and community resources. The impact of these social determinants is present throughout the life course, and marginalized communities are most vulnerable. With my education and skills in public health accompanied by my personal experiences and biases as a first-generation Hispanic immigrant, I hope to work for a public health agency that works to combat these disparities, such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The HUD’s mission is to uplift communities by providing housing support for homeownership, disaster response, veterans, rental assistance, housing discrimination, and local public housing. People deserve the right to pursue their optimal health regardless of the color of their skin, place of origin, or community there were born and raised in. In the U.S., there is a serious, generational, structural problem of inequitable distribution of wealth; and unfortunately, this inequity is amplified in urban communities where marginalized groups are susceptible to homelessness, gentrification, lack of affordable housing, and unsustainable housing practices. It is important that individuals who are a part of the programs and resources that are meant to mitigate these inequities, such as the HUD, truly understand the root of the problem and are able to connect with their constituents to provide equitable, appropriate, and empowering aid and care. I am extremely fortunately to be a Hispanic immigrant in the U.S. who is able to pursue higher education in a field that prioritizes and protects the health of communities, especially vulnerable communities. I hope to be able to apply my education, personal experiences, and support to creating equitable and sustainable urban environments.

Adversity is not a singular, mutually exclusive event. Adversity is something that shapes who you are as a person, your character, and it makes itself known throughout your life. I come from a single-parent, immigrant household. Throughout my childhood and adolescence, I would often be consumed by waves of anger and frustration: “Why did I have to have a single mom? Why can’t I have dads like all the other kids at school? Why do I have to help my mom write emails, fill out government forms, talk to lawyers? Why did everything have to be so hard?” In middle school, the custody arrangement between my mother and father was amended because it was no longer safe for my brother and I to visit him. Around the same time, at 12 years old, my brother was diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia. My entire world shattered. My brother, David, was the only person in the world who understood the dynamics of our family, we got each other through hard times, he was my person. I remember being very angry at God during this time of my life and for years after as well. I was only 14 years old at the time of his diagnosis, and I didn’t understand why life had to be so hard. Why me? My life had turned into a constant game of comparison: it felt like no one was struggling as much as me. Thankfully, after many rounds of chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants, my brother beat his cancer and is now in his 7th year of remission. Even after my brother’s recovery, I still felt trapped by my circumstances. As I entered high school, I was excelling in academics and sport. My senior year, I committed to swim at Texas A&M University with academic and athletic scholarships. Despite winning championships and earning excellent scores on exams and presentations, I consistently felt defeated. Compared to my classmates and teammates who had “normal” families, I felt like my starting line was always five feet behind theirs. After my first semester at A&M, I noticed a shift in my worldview. This was the first time in my life I was truly “independent” of my family. My teammates and coaches celebrated who I was as a person. I was finally just “Sarah,” not “Sarah who has a brother with cancer,” or “Sarah who has a single mom.” I was finally just “Sarah” and could begin to acknowledge how far I have come. I began to fully and deeply appreciate the adversities I have experienced. I no longer viewed adversity as “something that happens to me,” but rather, something that shapes who I am. I am a hard worker, a good teammate, an ambitious student, and a kind person. I am who I am today not despite my adversities, but rather because of them. My character had always been the same; what changed was my ability to see myself as my own person. I now focus on the things I have, rather than the things I lack. I have a mother who has sacrificed everything to support her children’s dreams, I have a brother who is alive and healthy, I have had opportunities other people dream to have, and I am building a fulfilling and prosperous life for myself. Everybody experiences adversity at some point or another in their lifetime, some more than others. There are some circumstances in life that we are simply unable to change. However, we can change how we view and internalize these circumstances. This is your life; you control the narrative.