Meet our Students
Gabrielle - Toronto, ON
Experiential learning in healthcare for older adults ignited Gabrielle's interest in advocating for vulnerable individuals and enhancing the quality of long-term care through impactful health policy changes.
Why did you pursue a degree in Health Studies?
I was inspired to pursue a degree in Health Studies as I have always wanted to work in healthcare and help as many people as possible live healthy lives. The Health Studies program felt like a perfect fit for me as it allowed me to tailor my degree to my interests with a large variety of courses. As such, when I started my degree at Western I originally had the goal to attend medical school, this changed as I learned there are many ways to improve health and wellness. For example, learning about concepts such as the social determinants of health made me discover my passion for addressing health inequities at a policy level to improve health on a population level.
Why did you decide to study at Western?
I chose Western as I fell in love with the beautiful campus, its extracurricular activities and international opportunities. While visiting the campus and the health science building during the march open house, I felt as if I was joining a big community of like minded individuals, it felt like a match. In addition, I was drawn to the program due to its practicum and international experiential learning opportunities. One of the biggest reasons I chose Western for not only my undergraduate degree but also my masters degree was its academic reputation. In the end, throughout my undergraduate degree I was pushed to develop my critical thinking and writing skills which will be vital while completing my masters. I know that by choosing Western I will be pushed to succeed and prosper.
What is your most memorable experience in the program?
My most memorable experience in the program was participating in the international experiential learning course, Aging Globally: Lessons from Scandinavia. This health sciences course introduces the Scandinavian health care system to 30 students and culminates with a 10 day trip to Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. This hands-on learning, helped contextualize learned concepts outside of the classroom. Not only was this an amazing learning opportunity which has immensely shaped my future, it allowed me to experience new cultures and lifestyles. Through this course I secured a research internship at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. I lived and worked in Stockholm for six weeks helping to conduct a systematic review on infections in older adults who receive home care. I was able to see first hand how the most vulnerable elderly are treated in Sweden in comparison to Canada which influenced further research. This experience has had a huge impact on my future as it inspired me to pursue my masters in aging looking at long-term care policies around the world. I hope to one day return to Sweden to live and work.
How will your work change the world?
I am returning to Western in fall 2023 to begin my master's degree in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences with a focus on aging. My thesis is inspired by the travels I completed in my undergraduate degree at Western and will focus on long-term care policies around the world, starting with Sweden and Canada. Through comparison of these vital policy documents, I hope to improve the health and experience of older adults in need of long-term care. I know that the skills I learned throughout my undergraduate degree will be invaluable to my research. I hope to change the world by advocating for vulnerable older adults, improving our long-term care system both around the world and here in Ontario, which is in dire need of change. While I do not know exactly what the future holds, I hope that in 5 to 10 years I am making an impact in health policy and improving quality of life for vulnerable populations.
Julia - Aurora, ON
Insipred by her mother's nursing career, Julia aspires to participate in the healthcare field at a sysystemic level, advancing population health through the improvement of healthcare access and quality for all.
Why did you pursue a degree in Health Studies?
The inspiration behind my decision to pursue a degree in Health Studies stems from my mother's influence as a nurse. Observing her dedication, compassion, and the positive impact she has on patients' lives inspired me to follow a career path in healthcare. I wanted to gain a well-rounded understanding of contemporary health issues at all life stages, as well as the biological and social factors that impact human health and well-being. A Health Studies degree would allow me to explore my interest in promoting health, improving healthcare systems, and bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and practice.
Why did you decide to study at Western?
I chose Western University because of the welcoming and inclusive atmosphere that greeted me during my visit on Fall Preview Day. The professors and current students I had the pleasure of meeting were incredibly friendly and spoke very highly about their experiences at Western. Not only is Western highly ranked academically, but it also emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive environment for its students. The university encourages student involvement, leadership development, and offers a wide array of extracurricular activities, making it an ideal place for personal growth and development. Another aspect that particularly intrigued me about Western was the programs available in health sciences, which allow students to explore health science through diverse modules and hands-on experiential learning opportunities.
What is your most memorable experience in the program?
My most memorable experience in the Health Studies program was my 16-month internship at Honda of Canada Manufacturing (HCM) as a safety and ergonomics intern. Throughout this internship, I had opportunity to observe and assess the interactions between production workers and their workspaces and come up with innovative ways to maximize safety. The hands-on experience of evaluating workplace safety and ergonomics in a dynamic manufacturing setting was truly transformative, presenting both challenges and rewards, while enhancing my creative thinking and problem-solving skills. Witnessing the positive effects of my interventions on the workers' well-being gave me a sense of personal fulfillment, reinforcing my commitment to pursuing a career in healthcare. The exposure to a professional setting like HCM also allowed me to build essential connections and networks within the industry. I gained invaluable insights into the practical aspects of safety and ergonomics, which have been instrumental in shaping my career aspirations and setting a clear direction for my future.
How will your work change the world?
My plans for the future revolve around leveraging the skills and knowledge I have gained through my Health Studies degree to make a meaningful and positive impact on population-level health. With a solid understanding of how health systems and public policy work to promote population health, I aim to contribute to the improvement of healthcare access and quality.
After graduation, my plan is to pursue a Master of Health Information Science degree at Western, where I can further research and analyze critical issues related to health, information, technology, and culture. In the future, I see myself working for a government agency in a leadership role, such as a Health Informatics Specialist, Health Policy Analyst, or Health Data Manager. By combining my expertise in Health Studies and Health Information Science, I aim to contribute to the development of innovative strategies and evidence-based solutions that will optimize healthcare delivery, improve patient outcomes, and enhance overall population health.
